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3 <br /> Vibeke Talley from the Nursing Home CAC (NHCAC) said it was a difficult year for <br /> nursing homes, due to coronavirus infections and deaths, as well as isolation from family and <br /> friends. She said the NHCAC cannot go into nursing homes at this time, and, as such, she <br /> does not have updated information. <br /> Commissioner Dorosin left the meeting at 7:13 p.m. <br /> Commissioner Hamilton expressed sympathy with the isolation of nursing homes. She <br /> asked if anyone is going into facilities. <br /> Autumn Cox, Regional Ombudsman, said the Division of Health Service Regulation has <br /> been monitoring nursing homes all year, and the Ombudsman program has also had full access <br /> since October 2020, and on an as-needed basis prior to that. She said routine visits are still not <br /> happening, and there is not a date that volunteers from the CAC can begin visiting again. She <br /> said there are 6 new volunteers waiting to be trained, and she is working through that process <br /> with them. <br /> Commissioner Dorosin rejoined the meeting at 7:14 p.m. <br /> Commissioner Bedford said CARES Act funds paid for tablets. She asked if there is <br /> anything else the Board can provide to help with the isolation. <br /> Autumn Cox said 1 to 2 tablets were purchased for facilities, as well as data service for <br /> 1 year. She said after 1 year, the tablet can be used on Wi-Fi, or the facility can purchase a <br /> data service. She said CARES Act funds were also used for PPE. She said there is currently <br /> not enough PPE for volunteers. <br /> Commissioner Bedford encouraged Cox to reach out to the County Manager if anyone <br /> needs PPE. <br /> Autumn Cox said PPE will likely only be a medical mask. <br /> Commissioner Bedford said this situation has highlighted the need in nursing homes, <br /> and she hopes things can be better in the future. <br /> Chair Price asked if there are enough volunteers for the board. <br /> Autumn Cox said she covers a three county area, and volunteers dropped off <br /> committees across the state in mid 2020, and it is her goal to keep this board as intact as <br /> possible. <br /> Commissioner Dorosin left the meeting at 7:20 p.m. <br /> Chair Price referred to the tablets, and asked if there was a process to determine which <br /> facilities received them. <br /> Autumn Cox said it was based on need, and most private pay facilities did not receive <br /> any. She said the Medicaid facilities received more. She said those facilities with more than <br /> 100 residents could receive two <br /> Commissioner Dorosin rejoined the meeting at 7:21 p.m. <br /> Chair Price asked if the number of Medicaid facilities in Orange County could be <br /> identified. <br /> Vibeke Talley said four nursing homes take Medicaid. <br /> Chair Price asked the County Manager to consider if the county could help pay for the <br /> data service plans in future budgets. <br />