Wayne Memorial to allow visitors

HONESDALE, PA — With the COVID-19 numbers declining in the community and in the hospital’s COVID-19 unit, Wayne Memorial Hospital is allowing a limited number of visitors again. However, visiting hours are still restricted, only from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Approximately three months after prohibiting all visitors except in special circumstances, Wayne Memorial is returning to its policy of last summer, now permitting “one healthy and designated visitor” in most units. Patients will be asked to designate who can visit them, and all visitors must follow infection control guidelines, such as wearing a face mask and agreeing to remain in a patient’s room and not visit other areas of the hospital.

The hospital’s main entrance will still close at 4 p.m., at which time visitors can use the emergency department entrance.

Two people are now allowed to visit end-of-life patients (non-COVID-19 patients), and two parents (or authorized representatives) are permitted in infant/pediatric units.

Some units still have more restricted visitation rules.

For more information, including the hospital’s full updated visitor policy, visit www.wmh.org.

Nursing home care and safety in NY during pandemic

NEW YORK — On January 28, the Office of the New York State Attorney General released a report on its preliminary findings from an ongoing investigation into nursing home care and safety in NY during the COVID-19 pandemic. The report documents and details the failures of nursing homes to protect residents during the continuing pandemic, the abject neglect that too many residents have experienced, and failures by the NY State Department of Health (DOH) to both ensure compliance with minimum standards and be forthright with the public about resident deaths. The report’s findings reinforce the need for minimum staffing standards, increased financial accountability and meaningful regulatory oversight to ensure the quality of care, quality of life and dignity for long-term care residents in New York.

The following are some preliminary findings from the report: Too many nursing homes failed to comply with pre-existing infection control protocols. Facilities with lower staffing ratings had higher COVID-19 fatality rates. Insufficient personal protective equipment (PPE) and coronavirus testing for nursing home staff put residents and staff at increased risk. DOH public data undercounted COVID-19 deaths in some nursing homes by as much as 50 percent. Owners of for-profit nursing homes have a financial incentive to increase their own profits instead of investing in more staff, PPE and other safety measures. Lack of compliance with the executive order requiring communication with family members has caused avoidable pain and distress.

Read the full report at www.bit.ly/nursinghomereport07.

Investing in home and community-based services to meet health care needs of older adults

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On February 5, 31 U.S. Senators, led by Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Cory Booker (D-NJ), urged the Biden Administration to push forward with investments in home and community-based services (HCBS), building on President Biden’s American Rescue Plan and Build Back Better Jobs and Recovery plan. Senators Casey, Booker and their colleagues sent a letter to President Biden and Vice President Harris, detailing their support for these plans to fight the effects of COVID-19 and bolster the economy, emphasizing the urgent need to advance the administration’s proposal to invest in Medicaid home and community-based services.

“As a critical component of your Build Back Better Plan, this investment in HCBS would create a robust caregiving system, while also driving sustainable economic growth and meeting the health care needs of our nation’s rapidly aging population. It would help propel the country’s economy out of the pandemic-induced recession by increasing employment and enabling those receiving services to participate in their communities. It would transform low-paid caregiving jobs into family-sustaining occupations with higher wages, benefits and the opportunity to join a union. These outcomes would also advance racial and gender equity, given that the caregiving profession is disproportionately supported by Black women, other women of color and immigrants. Finally, such an investment would support people with disabilities, older adults and family caregivers with the supports they need to live the lives they wish to lead,” the Senators wrote.

American Heart Association warns of snow shoveling health hazards

REGIONAL — The American Heart Association says that for most people, shoveling snow may not lead to any health problems. However, the association warns that the risk of a heart attack during snow shoveling may increase for some, as the combination of colder temperatures and physical exertion increases the workload on the heart.

To help make snow removal safer, the American Heart Association has compiled a list of practical tips:

• Give yourself a break. Take frequent rest breaks during shoveling so you don’t overstress your heart. Pay attention to how your body feels during those breaks.
• Don’t eat a heavy meal prior or soon after shoveling. Eating a large meal can put an extra load on your heart.
• Use a small shovel or consider a snow thrower. The act of lifting heavy snow can raise blood pressure acutely during the lift. It is safer to lift smaller amounts more times, than to lug a few huge shovelfuls of snow. When possible, simply push the snow.
• Learn the heart attack warning signs and listen to your body, but remember this: Even if you’re not sure it’s a heart attack, have it checked out (tell a doctor about your symptoms). Don’t wait more than five minutes to call 9-1-1.
• Don’t drink alcoholic beverages before or immediately after shoveling. Alcohol may increase a person’s sensation of warmth and may cause them to underestimate the extra strain their body is under in the cold.
• Consult a doctor. If you have a medical condition, don’t exercise on a regular basis or are middle aged or older, meet with your doctor prior to the first anticipated snowfall.

For more information, visit www.heart.org.

Wanted: older New Yorkers who make a difference

NEW YORK — May is recognized nationally as Older Americans Month, acknowledging the incredible efforts and diverse contributions older adults make to communities across the nation. In collaboration with 59 agencies on aging across the state, New York seeks to honor exceptional individuals who, through their actions, demonstrate the spirit of civic engagement and selflessness.

The ceremony will take place during NYS Office for the Aging’s Older New Yorkers’ Day celebration on Tuesday, May 18 and will be held virtually on Facebook and YouTube. More details to come.

The Sullivan County Office for the Aging is seeking nominations of older adults from our community to be represented at this virtual event. The nominee should be a volunteer aged 55 or older who has made a difference in the community through civic engagement.

The deadline for submitting nominees is Monday, February 22. Nomination forms can be obtained by contacting the Office for the Aging at 845/807-0255. Completed forms can be submitted to Lise-Anne.Deoul@co.sullivan.ny.us or by mail to 100 North St., Monticello, NY 12701.