Proposed COVID-19 waiver causes concern for families at local senior living facility

Proposed COVID-19 waiver causes concern for families at local senior living facility

Go visit.

They're using him as a pawn."

An indiana man says a potential policy... at a local senior living facility... will only do more harm than good.

That's when it comes to residents... like his father.

Long-term care facilities... across the country... are trying to get a handle on "covid-19".

That's as they work to protect the staff and seniors... who live there.

But as news 10's alia blackburn explains... one man says the latest efforts... at a terre haute facility... are cause for concern.

The story is all new for you at 6.

(alia intro) brad thompson..

Who lives in zionsville, indiana... reached out to me thru e-mail.

He attached a copy of this proposed "waiver"... that he says..

Came from westminster village.

While it's meant to protect the facility from "covid-19"... thompson says it seems to come at a cost to its residents.

"he likes to talk, he likes to talk about politics, and all sorts of things..."

Brad thompson says his father "thrives" on being social... *nats* at 90-years-old.... he lives at "westminster village"... where... these days... in-person visits are far... and few..

"i think his doctor would say that he's in a mental decline because of the isolation."

It's one of the many effects of "covid-19"... especially on seniors.

That's why facilities... like "westminster"... are looking into guidelines and polices to best fit its communities.

*nats of you got mail* which led to this e-mail thompson got last month... starting august 12th..

"westminster" residents..

And visitors..

Would be required to sign an acknowledgement waiver and form... known as the "covid-19 risk waiver and release of claims"... by signing it..

You're aware of the protocols... and risks of catching the virus.

However -- you forefit the right to sue for loss or damages..

That's for anything related to exposure..

Or catching "covid-19"..

While in the facility.

"it was really severe... it basically said that westminster could do whatever westminster wanted to do."

(alia) "the language in the waiver, even though it doesn't specifically say you can't visit, but you feel it ultimately discourages visitation..."

(brad) "it's no different than saying that they want to charge us money to visit our loved ones.

They're saying you need to give us, the nursing home, your legal rights... that's a price of admission and that's what's unacceptable."

After hearing concerns... from thompson and others... "westminster" held off on the policy.

In fact -- it actually "never" went into effect.

We spoke to executive director "dan smith"... in a statement..

He said as the state started to reopen... residents expressed interest in more social activity.

He says the waiver was meant to help meet those requests..

By ensuring financial well-being to all parties.... while "westminster" hears and respects concerns... smith says they plan to still work with residents... and their families... to find a better solution.

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