Highland Place Essential Caregiver Visitation Policy
POLICY: As required by Florida Statute 429.28 (1)(d) Resident Bill of Rights, this Community policy allows a Resident to have visitors from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at a minimum. At times there may be circumstances which restrict Resident visitation, such as pandemic flu or presence of infectious diseases which may require modification. In such cases, this Community complies with the requirements of the CDC, the Florida Department of Health, and Florida Emergency Management. Upon request, the facility will make provisions to extend visiting hours for caregivers and out-of-town guests, and in other similar situations.
Florida Statute 408.823 requires additional policies for resident visitation during these circumstances. The visitation policies and procedures required by this statute allows in-person visitation by Essential Caregivers in the following circumstances, unless the resident, client, or patient objects:
End-of-life situations.
A resident, client, or patient who was living with family before being admitted to the provider’s care is struggling with the change in environment and lack of in-person family support.
The resident, client, or patient is making one or more major medical decisions.
A resident, client, or patient is experiencing emotional distress or grieving the loss of a friend or family member who recently died.
A resident, client, or patient needs cueing or encouragement to eat or drink which was previously provided by a family member or caregiver.
A resident, client, or patient who used to talk and interact with others is seldom speaking.
Notwithstanding the above, visitors must abide by all of the Community’s policy and procedures.
PROCEDURE:
Before in-person visitation, all Essential Caregivers must adhere to the following procedures:
1. Comply with the Infection control and education policies for visitors. Infection Control policies may require a visitor to wear Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) including properly wearing a face mask and other necessary PPE and performing hand hygiene. Staff will provide directions on the proper use of PPE.
2. Policy Consent: Sign this policy acknowledging an understanding of visitation policies. Failure to adhere to the policy will result in suspension of in-person visitation.
3. Submit to a Screening which may include temperatures and/or a questionnaire about health status, if requested.
4. Visitation hours will be 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. as per FS 429.28 (1)(d). Any visitation outside of those hours will be considered upon request to the Administrator. During these hours, in-person visitation by the essential caregiver is allowed for at least 2 hours daily in addition to any other visitation authorized by the provider.
6. While minimizing physical contact and social distancing may be encouraged to limit exposure, consensual physical contact between a resident, client, or patient and the visitor is not prohibited.
7. A resident, client, or patient may designate a visitor who is a family member, friend, guardian, or other individual as an essential caregiver.
8. This section does not require an essential caregiver to provide necessary care to a resident, client, or patient of a provider, and providers may not require an essential caregiver to provide such care.