PURPOSE
This Policy provides guidance to persons supported, families, employees, and all other stakeholders on the Organization’s protocols pertaining to visitation.
This policy applies to all Organizations in Florida supported by the Sunrise Group of Companies.
Overview
The Organization will follow Infection Control protocol recommendations from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), federal, state, and local orders. All efforts will be made to prevent the spread of COVID-19 or other infectious diseases. All visitors will be encouraged to follow infection control protocols as listed on educational material from the CDC on How to Protect Yourself and Others. Sunrise may not require a vaccine as a condition to visitation and must allow for consensual physical contact between those supported and their loved ones. This policy and procedure may not be more stringent than what is required for staff. Therefore, visitors will not be subject to screening and personal protective equipment such as masks and gloves will be available upon request as needed.
Essential Caregiver/In-Person Visitation Policy
Sunrise Community shall maintain Resident Care Standards in a manner consistent and in compliance with the minimum standards required by current statute and rule.
Sunrise will adhere to the following procedures regarding Florida Statute 408.823 (2)(a-d) In-Person Visitation and Florida Bill of Rights Statutes.
Sunrise policy allows those supported to have visitors to support typical life experiences consistent with a person-centered approach and allows for such flexibilities to include the number of visitors which must meet or exceed the standards in ss. 400.022(1)(b) Bill of Rights and 429.28(1)(d) Resident Bill of Rights as applicable and length of visits at a minimum of 2 hours per day. Sunrise has established additional visitation policies as required by Florida Statute 408.823 for resident visitation during these circumstances. The visitation policies and procedures required by this statute must allow in-person visitation by Essential Caregivers in all of the following circumstances, unless the resident objects:
- End-of-life situations.
- A resident 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 is making one or more major medical decisions.
- A resident is experiencing emotional distress or grieving the loss of a friend or family member who recently died.
- A resident needs cueing or encouragement to eat or drink which was previously provided by a family member or caregiver.
- A resident who used to talk and interact with others is seldom speaking.
These protocols will be revised to reflect current information from the CDC, CMS, federal, and state regulatory agencies. Residential Program Directors, Directors of Operation, and Executive Directors are responsible for the adherence to visitation policies and procedures.
