Want to Visit a Loved One at a Long-Term Care Facility? Here are the Latest Recommendations.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, nursing homes and assisted living facilities have largely banned families and caregivers from visiting their loved ones. In an effort to allow visitation and safely reunite families, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis directed the Agency for Health Care Administration to put together the Task Force on the Safe and Limited Re-Opening of Long-Term Care Facilities.
The task force held five publicly-broadcasted meetings at which it developed and discussed the guidelines and recommendations outlined in its report.
Finalized recommendations include:
- Allow visitation in long-term care facilities for Essential Caregivers and Compassionate Care visitors. These individuals provide important care and support to residents of long-term care facilities, such as bathing, feeding and emotional support.
- Allow general resident outdoor and indoor visitation if the facility meets certain indicators of low virus risk.
- Each visitation scenario must be accompanied by facility policies and procedures that support the safety of all residents and visitors. Policies and procedures must address appropriate training and mandatory use of masks and other infection control protections, including screening and visitor scheduling and management.
The following requirements are mandatory for all visitors (and residents):
- temperature checks
- mask wearing
- social distancing
- hand hygiene
Keep in mind:
- Visitors have to schedule an appointment and go through a screening (temperature check) upon entry.
- Up to five people can be designated for general visitations (limit is two per visit).
- Up to two people can be designated as Essential Caregivers/Compassionate Care visitors.
- The recommendations do not allow anyone under the age of 18 to have an indoor visitation.
For more information on the task force recommendations, go to ahca.myflorida.com.
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