By Kay Kaylor
PREVIEW Columnist
I advocate for residents in extended care and assisted living residences as the regional long-term care ombudsman. I also am a Senior Medicare Patrol and State Health Insurance Assistance Program counselor, all as an employee of San Juan Basin Area Agency on Aging (SJBAAA). The many aging and care concerns will be addressed here.
An increase in COVID-19 outbreaks in long-term care is occurring in Colorado and a few of the region’s care facilities have had outbreaks for the first time starting in November. Families and friends must feel helpless about protecting their loved ones. One of the standard procedures in an outbreak involves direct help from both the state and local health departments, which work with the facility staff to prevent further spread and to arrange care practices.