POLICY ON VISITATION

General Visitation Rules and Responsibilities:

1. 1. Visits will be monitored for adherence to proper use of masks and social distancing.
   2. Infection Control Specialist will enforce staff and visitor adherence to Policy on Education
      regarding the use of PPE and social distancing.
   3. Visitors must be screened prior to visiting for fever and other signs and symptoms of COVID-19.
   4. Visitors must sign in and out at the main entrance of the facility ( visitor log )
   5. Visits will be restricted to resident’s room or designated area.
   6. Visitors should wear face coverings or masks and physically distance themselves when around other
      residents or healthcare personnel, regardless of vaccination status.
   7. Only 2 visitors will be allowed per visit in a semi-private room, 4 visitors in a private room. (To adhere to the principles of COVID-19 infection control prevention and social distancing) Length of visitation can be adjusted per resident’s needs or approval of both residents in a semi-private room.
   8. Proper PPE will be given to visitors when visiting residents in isolation or quarantine.
   9. Facility can ask a visitor to sign an acknowledgment of understanding of visitation policies
      and infection control practices.
   10. If the Center’s County COVID-19 community level of transmission is Substantial to High, all residents and visitors, regardless of vaccination status, should wear face coverings or masks and physically distance.
   11. In areas of low to moderate transmission, the safest practice is for residents and visitors to wear face coverings or masks and physically distance themselves, particularly if either of them is at increased risk for severe disease or are not up to date with all recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses.
   12. Visitors must inform the facility if they develop any signs and symptoms related to COVID-19 within 14 days of visit.
   13. The facility will notify and inform residents, their representatives, and recurring visitors of
       any changes in visitation policy.
   14. Residents, regardless of vaccination status, can choose not to wear face coverings or masks when other residents are not present and have close contact ( including touch ) with their visitor. (Residents or their representative and their visitors, who are not up to date with all recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses are at risk of contracting COVID-19)
   15. Consensual physical contact (i.e., kissing, hugging, touching) will be permitted if the resident does not have any symptoms of any infection.
   16. Visitation is allowed for any case of end-of-life situation as long family adheres to the infection control policy of the facility.
   17. The Essential Caregiver, that is designated upon admission as an individual who provides health care services or assistance with activities of daily living to a facility resident, is permitted to visit anytime in the facility, for a minimum of 2 hours daily (visitation can be adjusted per resident’s need).
   18. Residents will be allowed in-person visitation anytime, providing visitors adhere to the facility infection control policy, in the following circumstances:
       -If a resident that lived with family before being admitted to the facility and the resident is struggling with the adjustment to the environment and is lacking in-person support
       -If a resident is facing one or more major medical decisions
       -If a resident expresses emotional distress or is grieving the death of a family or friend
       -If a resident needs queuing or encouragement to eat or drink in with the encouragement of a family member
       -If a resident that used to talk is seldomly speaking
   19. Facility has the right to prohibit entry or discontinue any visitation if visitors refuse to comply with facility Policy.
   20. Visitation policies will be adjusted per recommendation from the CDC.