The Pennsylvania Department of Aging’s Office of Long-Term Care Ombudsman has announced it is partnering with AARP Pennsylvania to offer communication devices to long-term care facilities that will help residents increase contact with their family and friends.

With support from the Pennsylvania Association of Area Agencies on Aging, this pilot program will provide cell-phones and tablets to 46 skilled nursing facilities in 40 counties where resident advocates known as Pennsylvania Empowered Expert Residents or a facility’s staff member had expressed a need for phones/tablets.

“As restrictions from the COVID-19 emergency continue, concerned family members want to maintain contact and stay connected with their loved ones in long-term care facilities,” Aging Secretary Robert Torres said. “To support facilities having limited options or challenges in helping residents to stay in touch, the Department of Aging is pleased to partner with AARP to provide this technology to help residents stay engaged and hopefully avoid feelings of depression and social isolation.”

“The COVID-19 pandemic has forced visitation bans at long-term care facilities across Pennsylvania, effectively isolating residents from friends and family,” said Bill Johnston-Walsh, AARP Pennsylvania state director.

“AARP is very pleased to be working with the Department of Aging to make cell-phones and other technology available to help vulnerable older adults maintain critical lines of communication ...”

With 73 local ombudsmen in communities across Pennsylvania, the Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman advocates and empowers long-term care residents to resolve complaints and issues on a case-by-case basis.

“The Office of Long-Term Care Ombudsman remains committed to assisting residents in facilities and their families with staying in touch through this pandemic,” said Margaret Barajas, state long-term care ombudsman.

Volunteers who support the Office of Long-Term Care Ombudsman recently launched the Virtual Family Council, which enables families to virtually connect with a local ombudsman to ask questions and discuss protocols, rights and procedures for their loved ones in long-term care facilities.

Anyone interested in joining the meetings can email jarotz@pa.gov and indicate “Virtual Family Council” in the subject line.

They will receive an automatic email reply with instructions on how to connect and the link for the meetings.