Updated 05/19/23

Home Visits

• Individuals have 45 days per year for home visits. These days may be used in any combination. 

• When 45 days are used up, families/individuals may opt to do day visits or an overnight visit for one day/night per visit.

• Families/Guardians must call 24 hours in advance to schedule a home visit in order to ensure that there is enough medication on hand to cover the number of days of the home visit or if the Pharmacy needs to be contacted for additional medications. Also, the Nursing Department must determine if there are appointments scheduled for the individual that are urgent or cannot be rescheduled. Routine appointments will be rescheduled whenever possible.
• Social Services must be notified Monday-Thursday by 3 P.M. to schedule the date and time of desired visit.
• Families/Guardians will check in at the Nursing Department to pick up their individuals and to complete routine COVID-19 screening. In order to limit outside exposure related to COVID-19 or its variants and other infectious diseases, individuals will not be picked up from the cottages.

• During the initial visit, all families, guardians, and all other visitors will be educated on infection control protocols for COVID-19 and other infectious diseases to include handwashing, use of hand sanitizer, proper use of gloves, masks, gowns, and other PPE. Education will also be provided in regards to recognizing signs and symptoms and transmission of COVID-19 and its variants and other infectious processes. The SACL Nursing Department will be responsible for providing, updating, and enforcing this information.
• No masks or PPE are required at pick-up or return per Florida Executive Order. Masks and PPE will be available if families, guardians, and all other visitors choose to use them. Hand sanitizer will also be available to all families, guardians, and other visitors. 
• Routine monitoring screening will continue to be done prior to picking up an individual. Screening forms will be filled out prior to leaving for a visit and upon returning from a home visit. (See attached)
• Screened for-

• Signs and symptoms of a respiratory infection within the last 48 hours; fever greater than 99.6; recent bout of Pneumonia/Flu; cough, shortness of breath.
• Contact with someone with a confirmed diagnosis of Covid-19, or are ill with a respiratory illness within the last 14 days.
• Travel outside of Florida, Internationally, or on a cruise.

• If the family/guardian is symptomatic or does not meet the criteria for visitation as determined by the CDC or St. Johns County Health Department, the visit will be rescheduled.
• Being COVID-19 Vaccinated and Boosted will not be part of the criteria for allowing a home visit, however, the vaccination and Booster are recommended.
• If a resident has been exposed to COVID-19 or is positive/quarantined for COVID-19, visitation will be cancelled and rescheduled.
• Any physical contact, including hugging, touching, kissing on the cheeks, holding hands, etc., will be allowing during pick up and return, as long as the physical contact is consensually agreed upon by both the visitor and individual.
• Visitation requirements will be changed/reviewed according to recommendations from Governor DeSantis’ executive orders, recommendations from the CDC or St. Johns County Health Department, positive infection status within the facility or a high percentage rate of infection in our county, and facility needs.

Day Visits

• Follow notification and screening procedures as described above.
• May occur on or off campus.
• On campus-outside under the Pavilion.
• Inside in the Recreation Room.
• Only 2 people will be allowed during each visitation.
• Ages for visitation will be limited to 6 years old and above. No newborns, infants, or toddlers will be allowed to visit unless previously arranged for.
• Being COVID-19 Vaccinated and Boosted will not be part of the criteria for allowing a day visit, however, the vaccination and Booster are recommended.
• No masks or PPE are required for day visits per Florida Executive Order. Masks and PPE will be available if families, guardians, and all other visitors choose to use them. Hand sanitizer will also be available to all families, guardians, and all other visitors.
• If a resident has been exposed to COVID-19 or is positive/quarantined for COVID-19, visitation will be cancelled and rescheduled.
• Any physical contact, including hugging, touching, kissing on the cheeks, holding hands, etc., will be allowed as long as the physical contact is consensually agreed upon by both the visitor and individual. No sexual contact will be allowed during any visit.

Day Visit Schedule

• Monday-Friday 9 A.M. to 2 P.M. for 1 hour per visit.
• Saturday-Sunday- 10 A.M. to 3 P.M. for 1 hour per visit.
• Visits can be extended depending on the total number of visits scheduled for that day or other extenuating circumstances.
• One visit per week, per family.
• Additional visits will be allowed contingent upon availability of appointment slots.
• If visitation is scheduled during the lunch hour 12 P.M.-1 P.M., family is asked to bring a lunch for themselves if they want to eat with their individual.

Essential Caregiver/End of Life Visitation

• Family, friends, staff, residents, and providers giving necessary health care can visit individuals in end of life situations or serious illnesses.
• Visits may occur in the individual’s cottage/bedroom or other areas on campus as requested to accommodate family, guardians, and individual.
• A maximum of 2 visitors at a time will be allowed during each visitation. Visit time will be limited based on condition of the individual.
• Being COVID-19 Vaccinated and Boosted will not be part of the criteria for allowing a day visit, however, the vaccination and Booster are recommended.
• Any physical contact, including hugging, touching, kissing on the cheeks, holding hands, etc., will be allowed as long as the physical contact is consensually agreed upon by both the visitor and individual. No sexual contact will be allowed during any visit.
• There will be no limitation on ages of visitors, however, newborns, infants, and children under the age of 6 are discouraged unless requested by the immediate family.

Other/Special Circumstances

• Any physical contact, including hugging, touching, kissing on the cheeks, holding hands, etc., will be allowed as long as the physical contact is consensually agreed upon by both the visitor and individual. No sexual contact will be allowed during any visit.
• Masks, gloves, gowns, other PPE, hand sanitizer, and hand washing stations are always available for visitors, residents, staff, and providers of essential health care.
• Rules regarding visitation will be established, updated, or changed as needed based on Executive Order of Governor DeSantis, the CDC, the St. Johns County Health Department, and facility needs.
• Being COVID-19 Vaccinated and Boosted will not be part of the criteria for allowing a day visit, however, the vaccination and Booster are recommended.
• In the event a resident who was living with family before being admitted to our care was struggling with the change in environment and lack of in-person family support, a resident who was making one or more major medical decisions, a resident who was experiencing emotional distress or grieving the loss of a friend or family member who recently died, a resident who needed cueing or encouragement to eat or drink which was previously provided by a family member or caregiver, and a resident who used to talk and interact with others and was now seldom speaking, the facility will convene an IDT meeting and will make necessary visitation that may extend beyond the limits of this policy as needed to accommodate the individual needs of the identified resident.
• The Supervisor at the time of the visit will ensure all staff and visitors are adhering to the SACL Visitation Policy as written.