UPDATE (9/2/2020) - The Governor's Order is now final and we are following all contents of the letter below...
Dear Starling Families,
The Task Force on the Safe and Limited Reopening of Long-Term Care Facilities recently approved a series of resident visitation recommendations that now await approval from Governor DeSantis. Currently, we anticipate the Task Force’s recommendations will be approved in whole or part. Assuming the governor approves the recommendations, we anticipate new visitation guidelines will soon be implemented through a modification to the current Executive Order which is set to expire September 5, 2020.
Assuming the governor approves the Task Force’s recommendations in whole, controlled visitation will be permitted within two visitation categories: (1) Essential Caregivers and (2) General Visitors. Based on our Facilities’ capacity to carry out such recommendations in a safe and controlled manner, we have outlined our interpretation and planned implementation of these new visitation guidelines for your review.
Note these guidelines are not yet in effect and may change based on the final Governor’s Order. We will continue to update you as more information becomes available.
TYPES OF PERMITTED VISITORS
1. Essential Caregiver
Each resident may designate up to two (2) Essential Caregivers (“EC”) who must be willing to provide hands on assistance with “Activities of Daily Living” and/or “Emotional Support”. This care must be included and documented on the Residents Care Plan. For Essential Caregivers, the following additional criteria must be strictly adhered to – otherwise the Facility reserves the right to restrict visitation for any non-compliant EC’s.
• Resident must designate their two Essential Caregivers, in writing, to the Facility.
• The Facility will review the Care Plan and collaborate with the Resident and Essential Caregivers to ensure the EC understands the care plan and is participating in care during their visits.
• No one under 18 is permitted to be an Essential Caregiver.
• Essential Caregivers must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test every two weeks.
• Essential Caregivers must schedule visitation through the Concierge Desk.
• Only One (1) of the resident’s Essential Caregiver is permitted to visit each day.
• All Essential Caregivers must sign in to Accushield, have their temperature taken, and answer screening exposure questions prior to reporting to the Resident’s apartment.
• All Essential Caregivers must review and acknowledge the training materials provided by the Facility on infection control, proper PPE usage, social distancing, and visitation policies.
• All Essential Caregivers must remain socially distant, in the Resident’s Apartment, with PPE in place for the duration of the visit.
• Completion of waiver forms.
2. General Visitation
The Task Force also recommended socially distant visitation rights to occur inside or outside of the Facility for up to five (5) family members per resident. While we appreciate the Task Force’s overarching intent, we are not yet comfortable allowing larger, uncontrolled groups indoors given the vulnerability of our population and increased demands on our teams.
As a result, we are initially planning to allow only outside, socially distant visits limited to two (2) General Visitors (“GV”) per resident. General Visitations will be held in a designated area and differ from Window Visits as they allow for residents and families to both be outdoors.
For General Visitors, the following additional criteria must be strictly adhered to – otherwise the Facility reserves the right to restrict visitation for any non-compliant GV’s.
• Facility (both employees and residents) must be COVID-19 free for 14 consecutive days.
• No individuals under 18 will be permitted on campus.
• All visits must be scheduled through the Concierge.
• No more than two individuals may visit per occurrence.
• All visitors must sign in to Accushield, have their temperature taken, and answer screening questions prior to reporting to the visitation area.
• All visitors must review and acknowledge the training materials provided by the facility on infection control, proper PPE usage, social distancing, and visitation policies.
• All visitors must remain socially distant, in the designated visitation area, with PPE in place for the duration of the visit. Residents must also remain socially distant, with PPE in place for the duration.
• If the Facility experiences a new onset COVID-19 case, visitation will be stopped, until the Facility is COVID-free for 14 consecutive days.
• Completion of waiver forms.
3. Window Visits
• Families with 3 or more visitors wishing or those with children under 18 may still set up a Window Visits through the Concierge desk.
• Window Visits can happen regardless of Facility COVID-19 status.
• All other criteria for General Visitation will still be followed.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
1. PPE Requirements
• Responsibility: Essential Caregivers and General Visitors will be required to supply their own Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Facemasks: Both Essential Caregivers and General Visitors will be required to wear medical facemasks and gloves. Cloth facemasks are prohibited.
• Compliance: Anyone not wearing proper PPE at any time during the visitation will be asked to leave the Facility.
2. Testing Requirements
• Essential Caregivers will be required to provide Negative COVID results every two (2) weeks to continue visitation within the Facility.
• The Facility is preparing to provide these tests, however we currently need ECs to obtain testing off site and produce results prior to each visit.
• Any positive results or contact with positive individuals must be reported immediately to the Facility for contact tracing and assessment of risk to the Facility.
NOTES
We understand that every one of our families is so anxious to see their loved ones as it has been entirely too long, however, we ask that you please remain patient as we await the Governor’s final ruling.
Additionally, we have a lot to prepare for given the increased demand on our teams for additional coordination, scheduling, training, testing, PPE, screening and sanitizing.
Thank you in advance for your continued patience, trust and support, and we will continue to keep you apprised as the visitation rules unfold.