ALT Why is Resident Access to Essential Caregivers a Concern? The pandemic was determined to be a nationwide public health emergency. While nursing home residents have the right to unrestricted visitation, part of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) response to the public health emergency was to prohibit nursing home visitation due to safety concerns. This shut out family and others who support and assist residents. For months, residents had no in-person access to visitors, with a small exception for residents experiencing serious decline or emotional distress. Even now, as restrictions are being eased, visitation remains limited in many nursing homes. The impact on residents of shutting down or significantly curtailing visitation has been devastating.