As of the writing of this article today there have been two million COVID-19 tests performed in South Carolina, 185,688 confirmed cases across the state, with sadly 4,036 deaths as a result from COVID-19. Unfortunately, it looks like COVID-19 is not going anywhere anytime soon.
South Carolina nursing homes have not been spared from the COVID-19 pandemic. While we hope that the nursing homes we put our loved ones in would be a safe environment, that has not been the case during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Currently there have been 114 active outbreaks at nursing homes across the state of South Carolina. 7,028 residents have been infected by COVID-19 with 1,475 residents dying as a result of COVID-19. That is right around a 20% mortality rate for our loved ones in nursing homes across South Carolina. The haphazard practices at nursing homes instituted by their corporate offices have endangered the staff who have selflessly stayed dedicated to serving our vulnerable residents at these nursing homes.
There have been 3,750 nursing home staff members infected with COVID-19 resulting in 23 deaths. While that number of deaths may seem relatively small compared to the number of cases one death is too many for a disease that we know how to fight and minimize.
What more loved ones of residents are starting to see is nursing homes denying outside visitors. While on the surface this seems like a common sense move to minimize the risk of exposure to vulnerable residents, it has come with unintended consequences for the loved ones of the residents.
Not being able to visit loved ones makes it harder to see if they are receiving the care they deserve. No longer can family members share a meal with their loved ones to check up on them. Now it is just a phone call, or if you’re lucky you can talk through the windows. Now it is more important than ever to be vigilant in making sure your loved one is getting the care they deserve in their nursing home.
There have been reports of abuse and neglect from residents with no way for family members to come in and check on their loved ones. No longer can you flag down an employee in the hall to ask questions about your loved one’s care. People now are being met with unanswered phone calls, or staff who cannot respond because they are too short staffed from corporate policies that put profit over care.
Now more than ever it is important to check on your loved one in a nursing home, assisted living facility, or any other type of long term care facility. Sadly there are more reports of abuse and neglect coming from nursing homes now that the doors have been shut to outsiders. It can feel hopeless, but there are options. You can reach out to a nursing home attorney who is familiar with nursing homes across South Carolina to see if they can offer any help in these stressful times.