Nursing Homes

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.

It's been more than two months since a new Missouri state law went into effect, allowing families to install cameras in the rooms of nursing home residents. But the logistics of installing these devices during a pandemic have proven challenging, leading to months of frustration for some families.

Mid-November is arguably a bit early to start putting up holiday decorations. But it’s not at all too soon to make thoughtful plans to safely connect with relatives, particularly those who are more isolated this year, and spread some joy. “Start having those conversations now,” Marjorie Moore, executive director of the nonprofit organization VOYCE, told "St. Louis on the Air." She and Vanessa Woods of Vitality Ballet talked through some ideas with host Sarah Fenske.

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.

Nursing homes could soon allow families to visit their loved ones outdoors. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services released guidelines…

At least 253 nursing home residents in Missouri have died from COVID-19, according to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.In data…

Guardians of nursing home residents in Missouri will soon be allowed to install cameras in facilities to monitor how workers provide care to their loved…

A few weeks ago, St. Louis County resident Gary Shank decided to move his 94-year-old father out of Delmar Gardens nursing home in Chesterfield. Delmar…