Visitation Policy

Criteria for Community to Offer General Visitation:

  • Community visitation hours are allowed 24 hours a day. There is no limit on the number of hours for visits. Overnight visits are allowed with the prior approval of the Executive Director. There is no limit on the number of visitors a resident may have at any time.
  • Consensual physical contact will be allowed
  • Executive Director is responsible for ensuring visitors and staff adhere to policies.

Triggers for Temporarily Suspending Visitations:

  • None unless instructed by the local health department or per state guidelines.

In person Visitation will always be allowed under the following circumstances:

  • End of life situations
  • A resident who was living with family before being admitted to the community is struggling with the change in environment and lack of in-person family support
  • A resident who is making one or more major medical decisions
  • A resident who is experiencing emotional distress or grieving the loss of a friend or family member who recently died
  • A resident who needs cueing or encouragement to eat or drink which was previously provided by a family member or caregiver
  • A resident who used to talk and interact with others is seldom speaking

Community Criteria:

  • Community will provide alcohol-based hand rub to visitors and have signage on the proper use of it.
  • Community must have an adequate supply of personal protective equipment, including masks, gloves, face shields, and gowns for routine facility use and for use in family visits when there is an active case of Covid 19 in the community.
  • All surfaces utilized during visitation will be cleaned before and after visits with an EPA-registered disinfectant that has qualified for use against SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus that causes Covid-19. 

Resident Criteria:

  • Residents that are currently in isolation due to recently testing positive for Covid-19, have signs and symptoms of Covid-19, or currently are in a quarantine or observation period are eligible for indoor visits. Residents and visitors are encouraged to wear face masks during the visit.
  • If a resident is enrolled in hospice are in end-of-life situations, they are allowed visitation.

Visitor Criteria:

  • Upon arrival for a visit, visitors must go to the concierge desk to complete sign in
  • Visitors are encouraged to use alcohol-based hand rub upon entering and exiting the community
  • Visitors will be educated on infection control policies and procedures, including the proper use of PPE

Other kinds of visitors or visits:

Beauty salon and barber services:

  • Barbers and hairdressers must wear gloves and perform hand hygiene. They must comply with all infection control requirements of the CDC and community.
  • Barbers and hairdressers must properly clean and disinfect equipment between residents. 

Resident medical services outside of the community:

  • Residents leaving the community temporarily for medical appointments are encouraged to wear a face mask , if tolerated. Eye protection should be encouraged.

Health care provider visits:

  • Communities must allow the resident to receive ordered health care services from external providers.

Legal staff visits:

  • Communities must allow the resident to receive visits from attorneys and/or their legal staff who are acting in their capacity as the legal representative of the resident when (a) the resident and lawyer are engaged in an active attorney-client relationship, (b) the visit is related to representation in legal proceedings or in consultation on legal matters, and (c) virtual or telephonic means are unavailable.
  • Representatives of the federal or state government seeking entry as part of their official duties, including any law enforcement officer, and any emergency medical personnel are allowed visitation.
  • Public Guardians and their professional staff are allowed visitation.
  • Family members, friends, and individuals visiting residents in end-of-life situations including any resident enrolled in hospice are allowed visitation.
  • Residents may designate a visitor who is a family member, friend, guardian or other individual as an essential caregiver. Essential caregivers are allowed visitation at all times. An essential caregiver may not be required to provide care to a resident.

This policy and procedure are subject to change depending on CDC and state regulatory guidance.