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Are staff members in assisted living facilities required to wear masks during COVID-19?
Date Updated: July 26, 2024
Written by:
Rachel Lustbader is a writer and editor with a background in healthcare and technology. Her work has been published on websites including HealthCare.com, BiteSizeBio.com, BetterHelp.com, Caring.com, and PayingforSeniorCare.com. She studied health science and public health at Boston University.
Both of Rachel’s grandmothers had very positive experiences in senior living communities, and Rachel saw firsthand the impact that kind, committed caregivers and community managers can have on seniors’ and their family members’ lives. With her work at Caring, Rachel hopes to help other families find communities, caregivers, and at-home products that benefit elderly loved ones and make life less stressful for family caregivers
Yes, staff members in assisted living facilities are required to wear masks during COVID-19. Staff members may wear PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) facemasks or cloth face coverings, depending on their roles.
Cloth masks aren’t as protective as PPE, but they do cover the mouth and nose, limiting the spread of nasal and oral droplets between people. In some cases, staff members that need PPE as opposed to cloth masks may be reusing PPE due to shortages. CDC guidance for assisted living facilities does allow for these measures when PPE is in short supply.
Facemasks and cloth masks are both vital in reducing the spread of infection. In some cases, assisted living staff may also use respirators, an even more protective device worn on the face. This is most likely to occur in situations where there must be very close contact between staff and a resident, especially if the resident is sick.
COVID-19 Update: With social distancing and stay-at-home orders, many seniors are struggling with loneliness and isolation. We’ve developed a list of products that caregivers or seniors can purchase to help older adults stay happy, healthy and connected, whether they are aging in place at home or in an assisted living community.
Additional Coronavirus FAQs
- Is it safe to send my loved one in assisted living a package during coronavirus?
- How are nursing homes ensuring that residents with dementia don’t get the coronavirus?
- Why isn’t my mom’s senior living community communicating with families about which residents have coronavirus?
- Why are they letting patients from the hospital who had coronavirus come back into mom’s assisted living community?
- Should I postpone my move to an assisted living facility?
- Can I move into an assisted living facility during coronavirus?
- Do staff members in assisted living homes have enough personal protective equipment (PPE)?
- What steps are assisted living homes taking to prevent the spread of coronavirus?
- Are assisted living facilities allowing social events within the community during coronavirus?
- Are common areas and recreational facilities in assisted living homes open during COVID-19?
- Why can’t my mom in independent living come and go as she pleases without being quarantined for 14 days?
- Are assisted living staff members being tested for the coronavirus?
- How can I set up a virtual meeting with my loved one in assisted living?
- Am I allowed to visit my loved one in assisted living during coronavirus?
- Can people in assisted living homes visit each other during COVID-19?
- What are assisted living communities doing to keep my loved one with dementia engaged during coronavirus?
- How can I help my loved one in an assisted living home during COVID-19?
- What happens if a person in an assisted living home gets COVID-19?
- How long are people quarantined for if they get the coronavirus in assisted living?
- Do residents stay in assisted living communities if they get the coronavirus?
- Are residents of assisted living communities required to wear masks during COVID-19?
- Are senior living communities serving food during the coronavirus?
- How do assisted living communities serve meals safely to residents during COVID-19?
- Can I tour an assisted living facility during coronavirus?
- How do I know if assisted living homes are keeping my loved ones safe during COVID-19?
- I think my mom’s care home isn’t following the state rules about coronavirus, what can I do?
- Why is my mom’s assisted living community not letting her leave to go to church?
- How can I help my family member in assisted living keep busy during coronavirus?
- How long are staff members required to stay home if they get sick from the coronavirus?
- What do assisted living homes do if some of their staff members get sick from the coronavirus?