For the many Arizonans who have a loved one in a long-term care facility, the stress of not being able to see that person continues to mount. Facilities are restricting visitors due to the coronavirus outbreak.
As director of Maricopa County’s Ombudsman program, Regan Smith’s job is to be a voice for residents in long-term care. She says her office at the Area Agency on Aging is getting a lot of calls from families who are wondering what’s going on inside their loved one’s facility. She says communication is key.
"How can they do that? Through phone calls, through FaceTime, facilities are coordinating Zoom meetings with residents. Dropping a note at the facility. Waving to residents through the window are all things we’re seeing and hearing out there," she explained.
In April, Gov. Doug Ducey signed an executive order mandating that all long-term care facilities offer some type of electronic communication to their residents.
