"Visiting hours for family members who work full-time"

I was very disappointed in the limited visiting hours for this facility. I'm aware that some nursing homes encourage family to drop in at any time to visit their loved ones.

I had wanted to continue to visit my relative three times a week (as I had done before when they were living at home before Christmas 2020) but could only do so on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays due to my other commitments. Visiting hours on Wednesdays and Fridays stop at 4. 30pm and because I work full-time till 5. 30pm I requested permission to visit after hours for these two days. Unfortunately, they denied my request, saying that the RN would be forced to leave the care of residents to come and let me know and take my temperature.

They said I could visit on Tuesdays and Thursdays where visiting hours were open to 6pm or on the weekend where visiting hours were from 9 - 3pm. I ended up only visiting my relative on Sundays as it was impossible for me to regularly leave my workplace sufficiently early to get to the nursing home on time.

I would be interested in starting a petition for all family members who have experienced this issue previously across all nursing homes as I think maintaining connections to family and friends is extremely important for each resident's mental health and wellbeing and that connections with family and friends should be thoroughly supported by nursing home staff.