DHSS Guidance for Long-Term Care Facilities to Establish Essential Caregiver Programs and to Allow Visits

Revised guidance was released today for long-term care facilities in Missouri that choose to establish an Essential Caregiver program and/or resume general visits either inside or outside the facility. Facilities should have a policy in place to determine how contact with loved ones can occur while protecting the health of residents. Each facility will ultimately make the decision as to whether or not to adopt this guidance. Certified Skilled Nursing Facilities and Intermediate Care Facilities are required to follow the guidance provided in QSO-20-39-NH, titled Nursing Home Visitation – COVID-19.

The revised guidance is attached and can also be found at https://health.mo.gov/living/healthcondiseases/communicable/novel-coronavirus/professionals.php under the Long-Term Care Facilities link.

DHSS Visitation Guidance 9-22-20