Long Term Care

New guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services are permitting indoor visits in nursing homes. Missouri health officials are following federal guidelines in new recommendations for nursing homes and long-term care facilities.

Ever since it opened in 1997, Cooper House has prided itself on offering a vibrant quality of life to people who are unable to live independently as a result of HIV/AIDS. The residential facility, located in St. Louis’ Central West End neighborhood, typically serves 36 individuals. But in 2020, that community dwindled to 27 people.

The number of new infections among nursing home residents in St. Louis County had been mostly declining since late spring. The most recent spike in cases represents a more than threefold increase compared to October.

Missouri health officials say nursing homes can allow visitors to see family members. But relatives of nursing home residents fear those visits will be few this winter. They also worry that people aren’t taking the virus seriously and wearing masks, leaving the most vulnerable at risk and isolated.

Nursing homes across the U.S. have long struggled with staff shortages, but families and workers in St. Louis say the crisis has worsened in recent months, as the pandemic has pushed some facilities to a breaking point.

More than 400 people in St. Louis County long-term care facilities have died of COVID-19 since March, according to data from the county health department.

For three months, 32-year-old Tara Hegger has lived in the intensive care unit at Mercy Hospital.She passes the time listening to music, visiting with…

This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, Nov. 16, 2009 - One down, one to go! The House health-care bill, America's Affordable Health Choices…