Visitation Policy

It is the policy of MAMA LLAMA group to ensure appropriate visitation is provided to our residents in a safe manner and follows good infection control practices, and is in accordance with Florida Statute Section 408.823 (No Patient Left Alone Act) and 429.28(1)(d).

At Mama Llama, the health and well-being of our residents and staff is a top priority. Every action and measure that is put into place reflects our commitment to our residents, staff, and their families.

The State of Florida has provided guidance to assisted living facilities related to policy and procedure measures regarding visitation requirements.  Mama Llama will continue to promote visitation while adjusting infection control protocols to also reduce the risk of infection to those who reside and work within the community.

In order to remain in compliance, we have outlined our policies and procedures related to visitation on our website to include but limited to :  Infection Control and education for visitors, reducing the risk of transmitting COVID -19, instructions for self-screening, physical distancing and mask requirements, visitation requirements, visitation spaces, and essential caregivers.

We will continue to keep you informed of any new developments that take place. We remain committed to efforts involving promotion of connectivity through visitation of loved ones within our community.

Infection Control and Education for Visitors

Reducing the Risk of Transmitting COVID-19

There are certain core principles and best practices that reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. These core principles are consistent with CDC and other health authority guidance and can help prevent unknowing transmission of infection. We encourage you to join our efforts in reducing the risk of infection by practicing these measures both inside and outside of the community.

• Avoid visiting your loved one if you are ill or have been around someone who is ill in the last 14 days. Individuals can be exposed to COVID-19 and be able to transmit the infection to others even if they are without symptoms.

• Practice physical distance of a minimum of 6 feet or more within and outside of the community to reduce risk of exposure.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

• Cover your mouth and nose with a mask.

• When you cough or sneeze use the inside of your elbow.

• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, sinks, faucets, desk, keyboards, phone.

• When surfaces are dirty, clean them with a disinfectant that is approved by the EPA to eliminate the virus that causes COVID-19.

Instructions for Self-Screening

Self-screenings can be used as the first line of defense to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Visitors should complete self-screening on the day of the visit prior to coming to visit your loved one at Mama Llama and should not arrive at the community for visitation if you are experiencing or have experienced in the past 10 days, any of the below symptoms:

• Elevated temperature of 99.1° Fahrenheit or above

• Chills

• Cough, congestion or nasal dripping

• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

 • Fatigue, muscle or body aches

 • Headache, sore throat

• New loss of taste or smell

• Nausea or vomiting, diarrhea

Physical Distancing and Mask Requirements

Physical distancing refers to the practice of keeping space between yourself and others to reduce the chance of contact with those who knowingly or unknowingly carry an illness.

The Importance of  Physical Distancing

Physical distancing is for your protection as much as those that may come into contact with places you have been and touched. The virus can have up to a 14-day incubation period where you may feel no symptoms at all. During this time when you feel fine, you could be spreading the virus to others unknowingly.

Importance of Wearing a Mask

Per health authority guidance, wearing a face mask can greatly slow the spread of COVID-19 To be effective, the CDC states that a face mask should cover the mouth and nose and fit snugly against the face. Visitors are required to wear a mask even when vaccinated due to the potential of still contracting COVID-19 when vaccinated and possible risk transmission to others.

Visitors are required to wear masks over their nose and mouth at all times when not eating or drinking.

General Visitation Requirements

Visitation can be conducted through different means, in resident rooms, dedicated visitation spaces, and outdoors. Regardless of how visits are conducted, certain core principles and best practices reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission apply and are listed below:

1.        Regardless of vaccination status, visitors who do not pass screening criteria or who refuse to comply with any visitation requirements will not be permitted to visit.

2.        Visitors should refrain from visiting if they have been in close contact with anyone who has tested positive for or has symptoms consistent with COVID-19 for the duration noted by health authorities.

3.       Visitors should alert the community if they develop fever or other symptoms consistent with COVID-19, or if they are diagnosed with COVID-19 in the 14 days following visitation.

• Visitors and residents are required to adhere to COVID-19 infection prevention measures during the visit. The community does reserve the right to suspend in-person visitation of a specific visitor if the visitor violates policies and procedures.

• Visitors must arrive through designated entrance to the community and confirm that they have performed a self-screening and are not experiencing any symptoms related to Covid-19 as outlined in the education document and self-screening instructions.

• Visitors who display symptoms when entering the community will be denied entry and should leave immediately.

• Visitors should clean their hands with alcohol-based hand sanitizer or perform hand washing upon arrival.

Visitation Spaces

There are several options and spaces for visitation to take place in such as in resident rooms, communal visitation spaces, and outdoor spaces.

Outdoor Visitation

Outdoor visitation is preferred as these visits generally pose a lower risk of transmission due to increased space and airflow.

Indoor Visitation

During indoor visitation within a resident’s room or communal space, visitors should be aware of space available within room and coordinate visitation times and number of visitors based on the space available within the room that will be used for visitation.

Visitation Expectations

During visitation, visitors must agree to adhere to infection control guidelines to reduce the risk of spreading the infection by:

• Visitors should adhere to physical distancing of a minimum of 6ft from other residents and associates when moving to the space they will be visiting in. Visitors do not have to maintain physical distancing with the person they are visiting unless the visitor or individual being visited prefers to not have physical contact and maintain distancing.

4.        Omitted.

5.        Visitors and residents must comply with any verbal instruction provided by staff and management in order to promote safety and reduce the risk of infection.

Modified Visitation

In order to promote the well-being of residents and associates, visitation could be temporarily modified during certain situations. Visitors will be notified of modifications by the Executive Director or designee if any of the following situations occur per health authority guidance:

• The resident being visited has symptoms of COVID-19.

• The resident is in isolation or quarantine due to COVID-19. If you are visiting a loved one and find a notice on their door with a red stop sign, please connect with a team member in healthcare.

• The residence has an active outbreak and or the residence has a recent COVID-19 case or their representative would like to have a visit during an outbreak investigation, visits must occur in the resident’s room to promote safety and reduce the risk of transmission.

* Visitation can still be allowed in the residence when an outbreak occurs.*

PROCEDURE:

Visitors are only allowed if the following criteria is met:

1.  Visitors must be able to adhere to the core principles of infection prevention and control and established facility policies, and staff are expected to provide regulatory required supervision and monitoring for all visitors.

2.  Visitor pass the initial screening

3.  Visitation policy and guidelines have been fully communicated to residents’ staff and visitors.

4.  Adherence to written screening protocols for all staff during each shift, each resident daily, and all persons entering or on the grounds including visitors, vendors, contractors, and volunteers

5.  Visitors will be allowed to visit based upon CDC and AHCA and Health Department rules and protocol—for more information visit each disciplines website

6.  If you wish to schedule a visit with a resident, please contact the Administrator (561-333-4179).

State Representative Visitation

Facility will not deny access to any state representative. These visitors will be required to adhere to facility general visitation screening guidelines.

Suspension of Visitation

The facility may suspend access of all visitation on a temporary basis if:

1. There is a communicable disease that the Department finds has an infection rate that presents a serious risk

2. The facility is experiencing a temporary staffing shortage which it has reported to the state

3. There is an acute emergency at the facility such as loss of power, loss of elevators or loss of an essential service.

Scheduling & Visitor

Visitation Policy

General visiting hours:  9am to 9pm. Special consideration of other resident normal bedtime is taken into consideration for this individual community.

Number of visitors allowed: Visitors will be limited to one (2) per patient with a maximum of two (2) total per room in semi-private rooms.  A resident may designate a visitor who is a family member, guardian, or other individual as an essential care giver.  The essential caregiver will be allowed at least 2 hours daily in addition to any other visitation authorization. Recommended visit time is 2 hours for all other visitor unless authorized by the Administrator.

We allow in person visitation in all of the following circumstances, unless the resident, client, or patient objects:  End of life situations, a resident who was living with family before being admitted to the facility is struggling with the change in environment, the resident is making one or more major medical decisions, or resident is experiencing emotional distress or grieving the loss of a friend or family member who recently died, a resident needs cueing or encourage to eat or drink  which was previously provided by a family  member or caregiver, a resident who use to talk and interact with others is seldom speaking.

The implementation of this policy and adherence to this policy is by the Administrator of the community.

We appreciate your support and understanding during this time.