Senior care facilities in Merced County suspend visitation to prevent coronavirus spread

Senior care facilities in Merced are suspending visitation to help diminish the spread of coronavirus.

Park Merced Assisted Living and Mission Gardens Assisted Living sent memos to family members of residents at both facilities on Monday to inform them that visitation had been suspended, except for end-of-life visits.

“We are limiting visitors to nursing staff from Hospice and home health agencies and for end of life visitation,” said Amie Marchini, CEO of both facilities. “We are making Facetime and other forms of electronic communication available so that residents can communicate with their family and friends.”

Park Merced and Mission Gardens serve over 80 seniors combined with an average age of 87. No patients or staff have shown symptoms of the coronavirus, according to Marchini.

Marchini says family members haven’t been upset with the decision.

“People haven’t questioned it,” Marchini said. “They understand it. We’re under the direction of the Governor’s Office and social services. There was more concern when we were open to visitors.”

The elderly and people with underlying medical conditions are most at-risk for having severe symptoms, Dr. Robert Murphy, executive director of the Institute for Global Health at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, told NBC News.

Gavin Newsom on Sunday called for home isolation of everyone in the state age 65 and older, and people with chronic disease — both high-risk populations.

There are approximately 30 senior care facilities in the Merced area.

Another Merced facility, La Sierra Care Center, declined to answer questions when contacted by the Sun-Star, but did say they also have suspended visitation.

“We are continuing to transport residents to medical appointments and accept admissions for residents that need our care,” Marchini said. “We have all of the supplies we need and are continuing to get deliveries which are being delivered to the door.”

Marchini served for more than a decade with the Merced County Emergency Preparedness Committee through Public Health.

“We have been planning for a pandemic and our county is impressively prepared,” she said.

One of the biggest obstacles now is childcare for staff members with the schools closing in Merced County.

Marchini said the facilities are taking extra precautions like everybody else. Employees are washing their hands more frequently. The facility is being cleaned and sanitized regularly.

The staff at the facilities are even being asked to limit their exposure. If they can have groceries delivered to their home they are encouraged to do so.

The goal is to protect their patients as much as possible.

“Our seniors are very vulnerable,” Marchini said. “Our team has come together. We’re prepared for this. We are hoping by the proactive approach by the community, we will lessen the spread and all will stay healthy. ”

This story was originally published March 18, 2020 at 5:00 AM.