Since social isolation and loneliness represent causes of suffering and significant risk factors to the elderly population, visits from family members and volunteers must be guaranteed in order to promote survival and physical and mental health, especially in cases of depression, anxiety and cognitive impairment/dementia, to prevent the consequences of severe isolation on the health of residents. Safety must be maintained by means of appropriate protective equipment and environmental conditions. All residential facilities must make appropriate arrangements to enable each resident to connect regularly with their friends and family digitally in order to prevent forced isolation and facilitate occasions for social and affective interaction. These tools are especially important when the epidemiological conditions of the area in which the facility is situated do not permit frequent visits in person. While complying with the appropriate risk containment measures, resumption of previously suspended care and nursing activities such as physio, speech and occupational therapy should be prioritized. In addition, having completed the necessary risk- and containment-related information/training procedures, social workers, personal assistants and volunteers should be able to resume their activities, considering the assistance they provide to residents in terms of maintaining physical and sociorelational abilities. Best practices should be developed and shared as regards managing residents’ social networks and interactions, both in-person and distanced, including methods for evaluating the impact thereof in terms of efficacy and safety. Healthcare administrations are therefore required to devise a detailed plan for ensuring the option for in-person and distanced visitation with residents. “Hug rooms” are advised so that residents in general, and especially the cognitively impaired, may benefit from safe physical contact. However, protocols must be drafted for the various hypothetical solutions, specifically as regards the required hygiene standards and personal protective equipment, for the purposes of risk containment and the safety of patients, employees, volunteers and visitors. Entrance logs must be kept, and visitation/contact in the facilities must be monitored.
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