Room visits allowed, exceptional outings ... The government relaxed, on Saturday 12 December, its recommendations for nursing homes for the end of the year celebrations.

"Residents of institutions for the elderly should benefit, like the rest of the general population, from the possibility of spending the end of year holidays in the company of their relatives", stipulates the new protocol.

Applicable from December 15 to January 3, "this protocol provides in particular for a relaxation of the instructions relating to family outings in order to allow residents to enjoy the end-of-year celebrations serenely," said a press release from the delegated ministry to the Minister of Solidarity and Health, in charge of Autonomy.

Exits authorized "on an exceptional basis" and under a few conditions all the same: on their return to the establishment, residents will have to perform a PCR or antigen test and refrain, for seven days, from participating in collective activities.

"More convivial conditions"

Another part of the protocol, visits will always be by appointment, but the number of visitors per resident and the hours of the day dedicated to visits may be revised upwards to "allow families to meet in more friendly conditions" .

These visits may even be authorized in rooms, "in particular for residents who have difficulty getting around" and "for Covid residents".

The directors of establishments are also "encouraged to organize collective activities inside and outside the establishment, with a convivial, festive or spiritual aim (including in particular the accompaniment to religious services), under conditions strict frameworks recalled by the protocol ", adds the ministry.

Regarding people with Alzheimer's disease or neurocognitive disorders, "a dialogue with caregivers and those around them must be encouraged".

>> To

read also: The coronavirus in nursing homes: the unbearable expectation of families

These recommendations are addressed to nursing homes and other social and medico-social establishments housing the elderly and "can be adapted by the regional health agencies (ARS) according to the local health situation", specifies the protocol.

 With AFP                  

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