Why can’t my mom in independent living come and go as she pleases without being quarantined for 14 days?
Independent living communities may require residents who have left and come back to quarantine for 14 days to prevent the spread of undetected coronavirus. In the absence of widespread testing, this quarantine can save others’ lives.
The 14-day quarantine is also being applied to the general population in many cases, especially for those who have to travel internationally. The time period is based on scientists’ best understanding of how long the virus can be spread from person-to-person. Those who leave independent living communities are being asked to participate in quarantines more than the general public because seniors face a higher likelihood of developing severe symptoms. Those in assisted living communities are facing similar restrictions. Under more normal circumstances, only those in memory care communities would have any limits placed on their ability to leave.
Seniors who must quarantine for 14 days should take the following precautions:
- Taking their own temperature twice a day
- Looking out for other common symptoms
- Reporting the development of any symptoms to staff
- Seeking medical advice, help (as needed), and testing when available if symptoms develop
- Reentering their community according to CDC instructions (it may take longer than 14 days if you develop symptoms)
- Following any other protocols that the community has in place
COVID-19 Update: With social distancing and stay-at-home orders, many seniors are struggling with loneliness and isolation. We’ve developed a list of products that caregivers or seniors can purchase to help older adults stay happy, healthy and connected, whether they are aging in place at home or in an assisted living community.
Additional Coronavirus FAQs
- Is it safe to send my loved one in assisted living a package during coronavirus?
- How are nursing homes ensuring that residents with dementia don’t get the coronavirus?
- Why isn’t my mom’s senior living community communicating with families about which residents have coronavirus?
- Why are they letting patients from the hospital who had coronavirus come back into mom’s assisted living community?
- Should I postpone my move to an assisted living facility?
- Can I move into an assisted living facility during coronavirus?
- Do staff members in assisted living homes have enough personal protective equipment (PPE)?
- What steps are assisted living homes taking to prevent the spread of coronavirus?
- Are assisted living facilities allowing social events within the community during coronavirus?
- Are common areas and recreational facilities in assisted living homes open during COVID-19?
- Are assisted living staff members being tested for the coronavirus?
- What do assisted living homes do if some of their staff members get sick from the coronavirus?
- How can I set up a virtual meeting with my loved one in assisted living?
- Am I allowed to visit my loved one in assisted living during coronavirus?
- Can people in assisted living homes visit each other during COVID-19?
- What are assisted living communities doing to keep my loved one with dementia engaged during coronavirus?
- How can I help my loved one in an assisted living home during COVID-19?
- What happens if a person in an assisted living home gets COVID-19?
- How long are people quarantined for if they get the coronavirus in assisted living?
- Do residents stay in assisted living communities if they get the coronavirus?
- Are residents of assisted living communities required to wear masks during COVID-19?
- Are senior living communities serving food during the coronavirus?
- How do assisted living communities serve meals safely to residents during COVID-19?
- Can I tour an assisted living facility during coronavirus?
- Are staff members in assisted living facilities required to wear masks during COVID-19?
- How do I know if assisted living homes are keeping my loved ones safe during COVID-19?
- I think my mom’s care home isn’t following the state rules about coronavirus, what can I do?
- Why is my mom’s assisted living community not letting her leave to go to church?
- How can I help my family member in assisted living keep busy during coronavirus?
- How long are staff members required to stay home if they get sick from the coronavirus?