Memory Lane Cottage™

Senate Bill 988 was signed into law in early April. The law is entitled the “No Patient Left Alone Act.”

FSS 408.832- In Person Visitation

Procedures: The law states that providers MUST allow in-person visitation by the essential caregiver for a minimum of 2 hours daily in addition to any other visitation authorized by the provider.

The visitation policies and procedures allow for:

• Consensual physical contact between a resident and a visitor.
• In-person visitation in all of the following circumstances, unless the resident, client, or
  patient objects:
  1.  End-of-life situations.
  2. A resident, client, or patient 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.
  3. The resident, client, or patient is making one or more major medical decisions.
  4. A resident, client, or patient is experiencing emotional distress or grieving the loss of a friend or family member who recently died.
  5. A resident, client, or patient needs cueing or encouragement to eat or drink which was previously provided by a family member or caregiver.
  6.  A resident, client, or patient who used to talk and interact with others is seldom speaking.

The policies and procedures can require a visitor to agree in writing to follow the policies and procedures and the facility has the authority to suspend in-person visitation of specific visitors for violating the policy.

If changes to this policy take place, you will be notified by email and in person on your next visit. This policy shall be posted in the lobby at the community as well. Memory Lane Cottages Procedures are as follows:

Infection Control: The community will be disinfected a minimum of 2x per day during an internal outbreak, or at the Administrators discretion. This will include handrails and doorknobs in public and private areas of the community, and any items that may commonly be used by multiple people (phones, pens, alarms, tv remotes). When possible, items that are routinely used by multiple people will be secured in a way that will prevent or limit multiple users. Our preferred disinfectant solution is a bleach/water mixture or Lysol. Guests and staff are required to sanitize their hands before entering the community.

Screening of Staff and Visitors: Anyone entering the community will be screened in the lobby prior to entrance. A sign in registry asks for updates on any symptoms, as well as the persons current temperature. If a person has symptoms with or without a temperature, they may be asked to be scanned or tested (if a test exists). Entry may be denied due to a fever, a positive test result, symptoms, or a combination of the above. Visitors, staff and residents are not compelled to receive vaccinations, or show proof of vaccination status. In the event of a widespread outbreak, MLC retains the right to test residents, visitors, and staff if a test is available, before entry to the community or while residing in the community.

Personal Protection Equipment: In the event of a contagion outbreak, PPE is available for all visitors and staff, as long as supplies are available. Facemasks will be available in the lobby prior to entry. If a positive case is confirmed for a resident, then staff and visitors will have additional PPE, such as a face shield, gloves, and gowns available.

Designated Visitors: If our community must enact restrictions for visitation, our community will continue to allow a designated “essential caregiver” for each resident to visit for up to 8 hours per day, if that visit does not put staff, residents, or visitors in danger.

Continuing Education: In the event of an outbreak, pertinent educational material from a state and county level will be made available for guests and staff. These documents will be available in the front lobby and will also be sent out via email.

During intake of new residents, Responsible parties will have a chance to review and ask questions regarding our Visitation Guidelines. A signed acknowledgement will be kept in their file in the front office.