Paradise of Adoration
Visitation Policies
Our residents have rights and so do you. Please read below to learn about of visitation policies and procedures.
Visitation Policies and Procedures
Visitation Policies and Procedures
Paradise of Adoration, the health and well-being of residents are top priorities. Every action and measure that is put into place reflects our commitment to our residents and their families.
Early in the pandemic, visitation restrictions were implemented to mitigate the risk of visitors introducing COVID-19 to the assisted living residence. Many of these restrictions were required by state and federal orders. We are happy to say that today’s practice at Paradise of Adoration demonstrates that while residents and visitors should be made aware of the risks associated with visiting loved ones, visitation should continue for all residents at all times.
Additionally, the State of Florida has provided guidance to assisted living communities related to policy and procedure measures regarding visitation requirements. As you know, Paradise of Adoration has already opened its doors to families and visitors, and we continue to promote visitation while continually adjusting infection control protocols to also reduce the risk of infection to those who reside and work within the residence.
To continue those efforts and inform you of the requirements set forth in the “No Patient Left Alone Act”, all assisted living facilities must comply with the regulations set forth in Chapter 408.823, Florida Statutes. We have outlined our policies and procedures related to visitation within the attached document with the sections listed below:
Infection Control and Education for Visitors
• Reducing the Risk of Transmitting COVID-19
• Instructions for Self-Screening
• Physical Distancing and Mask Requirements
General Visitation Requirements
• Visitation Spaces
• Modified Visitation
• Visitation Expectations
• Essential Caregivers
We will continue to keep you informed of any new developments that take place. We remain committed to efforts involving promotion of connectivity through visitation of loved ones within our community. Thank you for your continued support and partnering with us through this journey.
Sincerely, Phyllis Skannal, Executive Director
Infection Control and Education for Visitors
Reducing the Risk of Transmitting COVID-19
There are certain core principles and best practices that reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. These core principles are consistent with CDC and other health authority guidance and can help prevent unknowing transmission of infection. We encourage you to join our efforts in reducing the risk of infection by practicing these measures both inside and outside of the community.
• Avoid visiting your loved one if you are ill or have been around someone who is ill in the last 14 days. Individuals can be exposed to COVID-19 and be able to transmit the infection to others even if they are without symptoms.
• Practice physical distance of a minimum of 6 feet or more within and outside of the community to reduce risk of exposure.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a mask.
• Avoid gatherings where physical distancing cannot be maintained before visiting a loved one within the community.
• When you cough or sneeze use the inside of your elbow.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, sinks, faucets, desk, keyboards, phone.
• When surfaces are dirty, clean them with a disinfectant that is approved by the EPA to eliminate the virus that causes COVID-19.
Instructions for Self-Screening
Self-screenings can be used as the first line of defense to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Visitors should complete self-screening on the day of the visit prior to coming to the community and should not arrive at the community for visitation if you are experiencing or have experienced in the past 10 days, any of the below symptoms:
• Elevated temperature of 99.1° Fahrenheit or above
• Chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea
Physical Distancing and Mask Requirements
What is Physical Distancing?
Physical distancing refers to the practice of keeping space between yourself and others to reduce the chance of contact with those who knowingly or unknowingly carry an illness.
Why is Physical Distancing Important?
Physical distancing is for your protection as much as those that may come into contact with places you have been and touched. The virus can have up to a 14-day incubation period where you may feel no symptoms at all. During this time when you feel fine, you could be spreading the virus to others unknowingly. Visitors should adhere to physical distancing recommendation during visitation when possible.
Why is Mask Adherence Important?
Per health authority guidance, wearing a face mask can greatly slow the spread of COVID-19 To be effective, the CDC states that a face mask should cover the mouth and nose and fit snugly against the face. Visitors are required to wear a mask even when vaccinated due to the potential of still contracting COVID-19 when vaccinated and possible risk transmission to others. Visitors are required to wear masks over their nose and mouth at all times when not eating or drinking.
General Visitation Requirements
Visitation can be conducted through different means based on the facility’s structure and residents’ needs, such as in resident rooms, dedicated visitation spaces, and outdoors. Regardless of how visits are conducted certain core principles and best practices reduce the risks of COVID-19 transmission apply and are listed below:
• Regardless of vaccination status, visitors who do not pass screening criteria or who refuse to comply with any visitation requirements will not be permitted to visit.
• Visitors should refrain from visiting if they have been in close contact with anyone who has tested positive for or has symptoms consistent with COVID-19 for the duration noted by health authorities.
· Visitors should alert the community if they develop fever or other symptoms consistent with COVID-19, or if they are diagnosed with COVID-19 in the 14 days following visitation.
• Visitors and residents are required to adhere to COVID-19 infection prevention measures during the visit. The community does reserve the right to suspend in-person visitation of a specific visitor if the visitor violates policies and procedures.
• Visitors must arrive through designated entrance to the community and confirm that they have performed a self-screening and are not experiencing any symptoms related to Covid-19 as outlined in the education document and self-screening instructions.
• Visitors who display symptoms when entering the community will be denied entry and should leave immediately.
• Visitors should clean their hands with alcohol-based hand sanitizer or perform hand washing upon arrival.
Visitation Spaces
There are several options and spaces for visitation to take place in such as in resident rooms, communal visitation spaces, and outdoor spaces.
Outdoor Visitation
Outdoor visitation is preferred as these visits generally pose a lower risk of transmission due to increased space and airflow.
Indoor Visitation
During indoor visitation within a resident’s room or communal space, visitors should be aware of space available within room and coordinate visitation times and number of visitors based on the space available within the room that will be used for visitation.
Visitation Expectations
During visitation, visitors must agree to adhere to infection control guidelines to reduce the risk of spreading the infection by:
• Visitors should adhere to physical distancing of a minimum of 6 ft. from other residents and associates when moving to the space they will be visiting in.
· Visitors do not have to maintain physical distancing with the person they are visiting unless the visitor or individual being visited prefers to not have physical contact and maintain distancing.
• Visitors will be required to wear a mask at all times.
• Visitors and residents must comply with any verbal instruction provided by staff and management in order to promote safety and reduce the risk of infection.
· Visitation Hours 10 am to 7:00 pm
Amount of Visitors
Visitation is allowed for all residents at all times. However, as stated in facilities should ensure that physical distancing can still be maintained at all times and facilities should avoid large gatherings. (too many visitors at once e.g., parties, events). This means that facilities, residents, and visitors should refrain from having large gatherings where physical distancing cannot be maintained in the facility. In other words, if physical distancing between other residents cannot be maintained, the facility may restructure the visitation policy, such as asking visitors to schedule their visit at staggered time-slots throughout the day, and/or limiting the number of visitors in the facility or resident’s room at any time.
Also, there is no limit on length of visits, in general, as long as physical distancing can be maintained and the visit poses no risk to or infringes upon other residents’ rights. If physical distancing cannot be maintained or infringes on the rights and safety of others, the facility must demonstrate that good faith efforts were made to facilitate visitation.
Modified Visitation
In order to promote the well-being of residents and associates, visitation could be temporarily modified during certain situations. Visitors will be notified of modifications by the Executive Director or designee if any of the following situations occur per health authority guidance:
• The resident being visited has symptoms of COVID-19.
• The resident is in isolation or quarantine due to COVID-19. If you are visiting a loved one and find a notice on their door with a red stop sign, please connect with a team member in healthcare.
• The residence has an active outbreak and or the residence has a recent COVID-19 case or outbreak of infections.
· Visitation can still be allowed in the residence when an outbreak occurs. Visitors will be made aware of the potential risk of visiting during an outbreak investigation and asked to adhere to the core principles of infection prevention and or other guidance provided by health authorities.
· If residents or their representative would like to have a visit during an outbreak investigation, visits must occur in the residents’ room to promote safety and reduce the risk of transmission.
• Statewide restrictions are implemented due to increased cases of COVID-19.
• Any other cause to modify visitation as determined by the Executive Director.
Essential Caregivers
A resident can designate a person who is a family member, friend, guardian, or other individual as an essential caregiver who can continue to visit even when visitation is modified as outlined above or unless the resident objects to visitation. Residents should notify the Director of Assisted Living or Assisted Living Manager if they are interested in designating an individual as an essential caregiver.
· Paradise of Adoration may request visitor(s) to agree to the policy and procedures in writing.
Visitation Policy
Purpose: To establish safe visitation practices that support patient well-being while reducing the risk of infection transmission among patients, residents, visitors, and staff.
Policy: Visitors are permitted in accordance with facility visiting hours, patient/resident needs, and applicable clinical restrictions. All visitors must comply with facility infection prevention and control requirements, including education, screening, personal protective equipment, hand hygiene, respiratory hygiene, and any additional precautions required by the facility or ordered for a specific patient/resident care area.
Visitor Infection Control Education
All visitors will receive infection prevention education before or at the time of entry. Education may be provided through posted signage, written instructions, verbal direction from staff, or electronic communication. Visitor education will include, at minimum, hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette, when to avoid visiting due to illness or exposure, proper use of required personal protective equipment, and the need to follow all isolation or transmission-based precautions posted or communicated by staff.
Visitor Screening
Visitors may be screened prior to entry or visitation when required by facility policy, public health guidance, outbreak status, or clinical circumstances. Screening may include questions about signs or symptoms of communicable illness, recent exposure to contagious disease, or other risk factors. Visitors who report or exhibit symptoms of communicable illness, fail required screening, decline required screening, or cannot follow infection control requirements may be asked to delay visitation, use alternative visitation methods, or leave the facility, unless an exception is approved by facility leadership or clinical staff in accordance with applicable law and patient/resident needs.
Personal Protective Equipment and Infection Control Protocols
Visitors must wear personal protective equipment when required by the facility, posted precautions, staff instruction, or the patient/resident’s clinical condition. PPE may include masks, respirators, gloves, gowns, eye protection, or other equipment appropriate to the type of precaution. Staff will provide instruction on how to properly put on, remove, and dispose of PPE. Visitors who are unable or unwilling to wear required PPE or follow infection control protocols may be restricted from in-person visitation when necessary to protect patient/resident, visitor, and staff safety.
Visitors must perform hand hygiene upon entry to the facility, before and after patient/resident contact, after removing PPE, after using the restroom, and when leaving the patient/resident room or care area. Visitors must follow respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette, remain in designated visitation areas, avoid touching medical equipment or supplies unless directed by staff, and comply with any additional infection control measures implemented during outbreaks, elevated respiratory illness activity, isolation precautions, or other public health concerns.
Visitor Responsibilities and Facility Enforcement
Visitors are responsible for following all facility instructions related to infection prevention and control. Facility staff may remind, educate, redirect, or restrict visitors who do not comply with these requirements. The facility may limit visitation temporarily when necessary due to infection control concerns, outbreak management, public health directives, patient/resident safety, or inability to safely accommodate visitation.
Length of Visits
The length of visits will be determined based on resident preference, clinical needs, facility operations, infection control requirements, and the ability to maintain a safe and comfortable environment for all residents. Visits may be limited, delayed, or adjusted when necessary to protect resident safety, accommodate care needs, respond to infection control concerns, or comply with applicable law and facility policy. Any limitation on the length of a visit will be applied in a manner that is reasonable, documented when required, and consistent with resident rights.
Number of Visitors
The number of visitors a resident may have at one time will be based on the resident’s preference, the resident’s clinical condition, room size or care area capacity, infection control requirements, and the need to maintain the safety, privacy, and comfort of the resident and others. The facility will not impose unreasonable restrictions on the number of visitors; however, visitor numbers may be limited when necessary for safety, care delivery, infection prevention, space limitations, or applicable public health requirements.
Person Responsible for Staff Adherence
The Administrator, or the Administrator’s designee, is the person responsible for staff adherence to visitation policies and procedures. This responsibility includes ensuring staff are trained on visitation requirements, monitoring staff compliance, addressing noncompliance, and updating staff when visitation policies or procedures change.
Vaccination or Immunization Status
Visitors cannot be compelled to provide proof of vaccination or immunization status as a condition of visitation. The facility may provide infection prevention education and may apply generally applicable infection control practices, screening, PPE, or other safety measures in accordance with this policy, applicable law, and current public health guidance.
Consensual Physical Contact
Consensual physical contact between a resident and a visitor is permitted when desired by the resident and visitor, including contact such as handholding, hugging, or other appropriate forms of contact. Such contact must be voluntary, respectful of the resident’s rights and preferences, and consistent with any applicable infection control precautions, care needs, or safety requirements. Staff may provide education or guidance regarding hand hygiene, PPE, or other precautions before or after physical contact when needed.
Exceptions and Alternative Visitation
When in-person visitation is limited due to screening results, PPE requirements, isolation precautions, or other infection control concerns, the facility will make reasonable efforts to support alternative visitation options, such as telephone or video communication, when available and appropriate. Exceptions may be considered for compassionate care, end-of-life circumstances, essential caregiver needs, disability-related support, or other circumstances permitted by law and facility policy, provided infection control measures can be implemented safely.
Review and Updates
This visitation policy will be reviewed and updated as needed to remain consistent with applicable federal, state, and local requirements; public health guidance; facility infection prevention practices; and changes in outbreak or communicable disease conditions.
Assisted Living at Paradise Of Adoration
At Paradise Of Adoration, we prioritize the safety and well-being of our residents. Our community is equipped with the latest security and safety features, and our staff is available 24/7 to assist with any needs or concerns.