Kansas State Ombudsman, Camille Russell, Writes an Opinion Article on Restoring Nursing Home Visitation Rights

June 19, 2021

Camille Russell, Kansas State Long-Term Care Ombudsman, wrote an opinion piece for the Kansas Reflector on how public policies affect the day-to-day lives of people throughout the state and restoring full visitation rights in nursing homes. Initially, the global pandemic quickly minimized visitation rights to patients in healthcare settings. Now, the risk of contracting and dying from COVID-19 has significantly decreased; however, loneliness, isolation, and neglect in long-term care facilities has remained amongst its residents. Russell said that it is in fault of the guidance that gives facilities discretion in scheduling visits and limiting the length, frequency, and location of visits and fails to address those residents suffering the most from neglect. The Kansas Ombudsman programs are aiming to help residents, family members, and others understand residents’ rights and support residents in exercising their rights. Anyone can help by contacting CMS officials and Congress and urging them to fully restore visitation rights.

Read the full article here.