Visitation Policy

Assisted Living Visitation Policy and Procedure

Effective Date: April 30, 2025 (revised 9/12/2025)

Facility Name: Legacy at Highwoods Preserve

 

Purpose:

To establish a clear visitation policy that upholds the rights of residents to receive visitors, in compliance with Florida Senate Bill 988 (“No Patient Left Alone Act”), ensuring residents are never left without the support of family, friends, or designated essential caregivers.

Policy:

Residents of our Community have the right to receive visitors of their choosing at any time, subject only to restrictions that are necessary to protect the health, safety, and rights of residents and staff. The facility shall not restrict visitation without a documented, clinically necessary or safety-related justification.

Procedure:

1. Visitation Hours and Access
   1. General Visitation: Permitted 7 days a week, from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. Extended visitation can be arranged upon request.
   2. Essential Caregiver Visitation: Allowed even during emergency situations (e.g., pandemic lockdowns), in accordance with Section 408.823, Florida Statutes.
   3. After-Hours Visitation: Permitted based on resident preference and safety considerations. Visitors must check in and may be required to present identification.

2. Essential Caregiver Designation
   1. Residents or their legal representatives may designate one or more Essential Caregivers who provide emotional support or assistance with daily care.
   2. Essential caregivers may visit daily, for a minimum of 2 hours, regardless of any restrictions in place for general visitors.
3. The Community may require health screening or infection control training, if necessary.

4. Visitors cannot be compelled to provide proof of vaccination or immunization status.

5. Infection Control and Screening Procedures
   1. Ensure hand sanitizer is available for staff, visitors, and residents throughout the community.
   2. Screenings are no longer required for entrance to the community.
   3. Face mask use for residents and visitors is optional, regardless of vaccination or immunization status, unless the resident or visitor is ill or symptomatic.
   4. All visitors must immediately inform the community if they develop symptoms or test positive for any infectious disease or virus within 7 days of their visit to the community.
   5. If the individual’s loved one is in isolation or quarantine, visitors are required to wear appropriate personal protective equipment, which may be provided if requested.
   6. Hand hygiene should be performed by the resident and the visitors before and after contact.
   7. Visits for residents who share a room should ideally not be conducted in the resident’s room.

6. Visitation may only be restricted if:
   1. The resident or roommate is COVID-19 positive and under isolation orders.
   2. There is a documented medical or safety reason supported by clinical evidence. All restrictions must be reviewed weekly and lifted as soon as conditions permit.

7. Residents may:
   1. Receive visitors at any time, subject to health and safety considerations.
   2. Have up to 4 total visitors at any time.
   3. May have consensual physical contact with their visitor.
   4. Designate essential caregivers.
   5. Not be denied visitation based on vaccination status.
   6. File a grievance if visitation rights are denied.

8. Procedure for Denied Visitation Appeals
   1. If visitation is denied, the Community must provide written justification within 24 hours.
   2. Residents or their representatives may appeal the decision to the Executive Director.
   3. If unresolved, they may contact the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) or the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program.

9. Staff Responsibilities
   1. Train staff on resident visitation rights and essential caregiver policies.
   2. Maintain documentation of visitation restrictions, if any.
   3. Ensure signage and written materials about visitation rights are posted and provided to residents/families.
   4. The Executive Director is responsible for staff adherence to visitation policies and procedures.

10. This policy shall be:
    1. Posted at all public entrances.
    2. Published on the facility’s website.
    3. Provided in writing to all residents and their families upon admission and upon updates.

 

Visitation Policy and Procedures:

1. The visitation policy does not address the allowance of consensual physical contact between a resident and a visitor. Please revise the visitation policy to include this requirement and resubmit.