The Terrace In-Person Visitation Policy

In-Person Visitation Policy

A) Florida Law Chapter 2022-34 Committee Substitute for Senate Bill No.988

B) Resident Essential Caregiver Designation Form
C) Essential Caregiver Acceptance Form

Purpose

In-Person Visitation bill has been signed into law, creating Chapter 408.823, which is subject “In-person
visitation.” This policy and these procedures are intended to serve as a sample for assisted living
facilities to comply with the regulations set forth in Chapter 408.823, Florida Statutes. A resident may
designate a visitor who is a family member, friend, guardian, or other individual as an essential
caregiver.

Policy

The following are the procedures to be followed to identify Essential Caregivers for residents and the
expectations. These procedures will be administered equally to all residents that request to have an
essential caregiver, without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity and
transgender status), age, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

Essential caregiver visitors provide emotional support to help a resident deal with a difficult transition or
loss, upsetting event, making major medical decisions, needs cueing to eat and drink, stops speaking, or
end-of-life. Essential caregiver visitors may be allowed entry into facilities on a limited basis for these
specific purposes. The provider must allow at a minimum in-person visitation for at least 2 hours daily
under these circumstances. At The Terrace, the 2-hour visitation will be between 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
The Terrace will make exceptions to the 2-hour visitation on a case-by-case basis for end-of-life
residents. These exceptions will be discussed and agreed upon in writing by the facility’s Administrator
and the resident’s responsible party.

Procedures:

I. For designation and utilization of essential caregiver visitors.

1. The Terrace will provide the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) with a copy of the facility’s
   essential caregiver visitor’s policy and procedure, with the initial licensure application, renewal
   application and/or change of ownership application.
2. The Terrace’s essential caregiver visitor’s policy and procedure is available on our website at
   www.theterraceativeyacres.com
3. The Terrace will designate the administrator and Healthcare Coordinator to support infection
   prevention and control training.
4. The Terrace will set a limit on the total number of visitors allowed in the facility at any given time
   based on the ability of staff to safely screen and monitor and the space to accommodate the essential
   caregiver visitors.
   A) If a resident has a private room visitation can be in their room. If they have a shared room, for privacy
   Resident can have visitation on the covered front porch, in the front lobby or in the back lobby.
5. All residents and /or POA/Guardian if appropriate will be asked if they want to identify an Essential
   Caregiver.
6. All new residents will be asked if they would like to identify an Essential Caregiver upon move-in.
7. All residents will be allowed to update as requested the named Essential Caregiver of record within 2
   business days of request.
8. Residents are allowed in-person visitation in all the following circumstances, unless the resident,
   client, or patient objects:
   a) End-of-life situations.
   b) 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.
   c) The resident, client, or patient is making one or more major medical decisions.
   d) A resident, client, or patient is experiencing emotional distress or grieving the loss of a friend or
   family member who recently died.
   e) A resident, client, or patient needs cueing or encouragement to eat or drink which was previously
   provided by a family member or caregiver.
   f) A resident, client, or patient who used to talk and interact with others is seldom speaking.
9. Maintain a visitor log for signing in and out
10. No more than one essential caregiver visitor may be designated per resident.
11. The policy need NOT prohibit essential caregiver visitor visits, if the specific resident to be visited is
    quarantined, tested positive, or showing symptoms of a communicable disease. Visits in these
    circumstances will likely require a higher level of PPE than standard surgical masks. The general
    visitation requirement that the facility has no new facility-onset cases of a communicable disease (for
    example COVID-19) is not applicable to visitation by Essential caregiver visitors.
12. The Terrace is not required to provide for “facility-provided” COVID-19 testing if, and only if, it is
    based on the most recent CDC and FDA guidance. The cost of this testing cannot be passed on to the
    visitor.
13. Essential caregiver visitors must wear Personal Protective Equipment per facility’s Infection Control
    Policies. The PPE required must be consistent with the most recent CDC guidance for healthcare
    workers. The essential caregiver visitors shall wear the same PPE that staff wear to provide care or
    services to the resident.

14. Any changes to The Terrace’s essential caregiver visitor policies must be promptly communicated to
    affected residents and essential caregiver visitors.
    II. To facilitate visits by Essential caregiver visitors upon a request from a
    resident or friend/family member:
15. The resident (or their representative) will read and sign the policy and procedures. The
    acknowledgement of the signature represents that the essential caregiver visitor will abide by
    the policies set forth in this document.
16. The essential caregiver visitor will complete training material on The Terrace’s infection
    prevention and control including the use of PPE, use of masks, hand sanitation, and social
    distancing.
17. The essential caregiver visitor must immediately inform the facility if they develop symptoms
    consistent with a communicable disease with 24-hours of their last visit at the facility.
18. Essential caregiver visits may take place in the resident’s room or a designated area determined
    by The Terrace at the time the visitation scheduled is developed and agreed upon.
    III. When an essential caregiver visitor is scheduled to visit, the facility will:
19. The Terrace will thoroughly screen the visitor per the facility’s infection control policy and
    procedure and document the name of the individual, the date and time of entry, and the
    screening mechanism used, along with the screening employee’s name and signature. Just as
    with staff entering the building, if the visitor fails the screening, the visitor CANNOT be allowed
    entry.
20. The Terrace will ensure that the required consents, and training policy acknowledgements are in
    place.
21. The Terrace will ensure that the caregiver visitor has appropriate PPE if applicable.
22. The Terrace will require the essential caregiver visitor to sign in and out on the visitor log.
23. The Terrace will monitor the essential caregiver visitor’s adherence to policies and procedures.
24. If the essential caregiver visitor fails to follow the facility’s infection prevention and control
    requirements, after attempts to mitigate concerns, The Terrace shall restrict or revoke
    visitation.
25. In the event the essential caregiver visitor’s status is revoked due to the individual not following
    the facility’s policy and procedures, the resident may select a different essential caregiver visitor
    who will be granted visitation rights upon proper vetting and agreeing to The Terrace’s policies
    and procedures.