Assisted Living Visitation Policy

Reviewed/Revised By: Goerges Similien

Policy Statement 

Our facility permits residents to receive visitors subject to the resident’s wishes and the protection of the rights of other residents in the facility.

Policy Interpretation and Implementation

1. We recognize the resident’s need to maintain contact with the community in which he or she has lived or is familiar. Therefore, the resident is permitted to have visitors as he/she wishes. The facility will not discriminate and will ensure full and equal rights of all visitors.

2. The facility provides visiting hours from Monday to Friday 7AM – 7PM and Saturday and Sunday 9AM – 5PM access to all individuals visiting with the consent of the resident. Some visitation may be subject to extended hours or reasonable restrictions that protect the security of the facility’s residents such as:

• • Limiting or supervising visits from persons who are known or suspected to be abusive or exploitative to a resident;
  • Denying access to individuals who are found to have been committing criminal acts; and
  • Denying access to visitors who are inebriated or disruptive.

3. Visitors may include, but are not limited to:

• • Spouses (including same-sex spouses);
  • Domestic partners (including same-sex domestic partners);
  • Other family members; and
  • Friends.

4. Residents will be informed upon admission of their rights to the visitation policy

5. Residents are permitted to visit with representatives from federal and state survey agencies, resident advocates, the State long-term care ombudsman, protection and advocacy agencies for individuals with developmental disabilities or mental illness, clergy and/or their personal physicians at any time.

6. The resident has the right to deny visitation at any time. If a resident chooses to withdraw consent for visitation by a particular individual, the name of that person and the date of withdrawn consent shall be documented in the resident’s medical record.

7. The facility reserves the right to limit the number of visitors in the room at one time to protect the rights of the person sharing the room.

8. A critically ill resident may have visitors of his/her choice at any time, as long as visitation is not medically contraindicated. (Note: The resident’s care plan identifies visitor restriction information.)

9. The facility reserves the right to change the location of a visit if such visit infringes upon the rights of the resident’s roommate or other residents in the facility.

10. Unless otherwise permitted by the resident, visitors will be required to wait outside the room or in the lobby while the resident is receiving treatment, undergoing examinations, and/or receiving personal care.

11. Incidents of any visitor’s disruptive behavior must be documented in the resident’s medical record or other facility approved form.

12. Space is available in the lobby/lounge for residents to receive guests in reasonable comfort and privacy.

13. Inquiries concerning visitation and access to the facility should be referred to the Administrator or his/her designee.

14. Overnight guests must have administrators’ prior approval, if the overnight guest is not an immediate family member, the P.O.A. must give written approval to the facility. If the room is shared, the roommate’s family member must give written approval. Overnight stays are limited to 3 days after approvals are given.

15. The Infection Preventionist will monitor the CDC website and local/state health department and will keep facility leadership informed of current directives/recommendations and the need for restricting visitation if indicated by local or federal guidelines.

16. Infection control and education policies will be provided to visitors.

17. Screening will be carried out only as directed through the local department of health and/or Center for Disease Prevention and Control.

18. A face covering or mask (covering the mouth and nose) in accordance with CDC, state and local health departments, and individual facility circumstances.

• • Regardless of the community transmission level, resident, and their visitors when alone in the resident’s room or in a designated visitation area, may choose not to wear face coverings or masks and may choose to have close contact (including touch). Residents (or their representatives) and their visitors should be advised of the risks of physical contact prior to the visit. If a roommate is present during the visit, it is safest for the visitor to wear a face covering or mask.
  • The guidelines within this standard will not require more stringent guidelines for what is in place for staff. Proof of vaccination or immunization for visitation will not be
  • Consensual physical contact between the resident, client, or patient and the visitor will be allowed, and
  • Will allow in-person visitation in all the following circumstances, unless the resident, client, or patient objects:
  • End-of-life
  • 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.
  • A resident, client, or patient is making one or more major medical
  • 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

19. Additionally, the bill allows a resident, client, or patient the option to designate a visitor who is a family member, friend, guardian, or other individual as an essential caregiver. The provider must allow in-person visitation by the essential caregiver for at least 2 hours daily in addition to any other visitation authorized by the provider.