July 23, 2020
Phil Wilson Interim Executive Commissioner Health & Human Services Commission P.O. Box 13247 Austin, TX 78711-3247
Commissioner Wilson, We are aware of your efforts and your desire to allow families to visit their loved ones in health facilities and living centers. However, there is a segment of that population that is particularly vulnerable to losing their physical health, to the point of death, due to current Covid-19 visitation policies. Texas patients with memory difficulties and mental deficiencies are unable to understand their lockdown status. They cannot comprehend why they are not getting the very necessary stimulation of a visit from a loved one. Many cannot understand a virtual visit, and simply look down the hall for their loved one when they hear their voice on an electronic device. The consequences, as we are sure that you are aware, can be deadly. Hopeless depression and anxiety are quickly leading to failing physical health among these precious and vulnerable people. We have already lost too many to these policies, and more are on the way. We could relay multiple heart-wrenching stories from our constituents, but we assume that you have heard many of these types of realities. It is time to immediately move forward and put a plan into action to allow limited family visitations inside their facilities. With proper guidelines, these facilities could resume visits in a safe and socially distant environment. Additionally, we would ask that the primary family caregiver be recognized as an essential part of the residents' care team. The presence of a primary family caregiver is to be able to pick up on subtle changes, to calm the unspoken anxiety that results from their missing presence, and to continue to encourage their loved one to walk, eat, and engage in social activity that is vital to their care. Further suggestions for allowing a primary family caregiver could include: