VISITATION POLICY

I. PURPOSE

To ensure the residents of AUS SENIOR LIVING AT BARTOW receive the support of family, friends, and other visitors, while maintaining a safe, respectful, and health-conscious environment in accordance with Florida law and AHCA regulations.

II. POLICY STATEMENT

AUS SENIOR LIVING AT BARTOW recognizes and upholds the rights of residents to receive visitors of their choosing at any time, as provided under Section 408.823, Florida Statutes ("No Patient Left Alone Act"), and Rule 59A-36.007, Florida Administrative Code

III. VISITATION RIGHTS

Unrestricted Visitation:

Residents have the right to receive visitors, including but not limited to family members, friends, legal representatives, and advocacy organizations.

2. Designated Essential Caregiver:

In accordance with Section 408.823, F.S., each resident may designate at least one Essential Caregiver (EC) who may not be denied in-person visitation, even during health emergencies (e.g., public health restrictions).
Essential Caregivers must be allowed in-person visitation for at least 2 hours daily, in addition to any other authorized visitation.
Visitation by Essential Caregivers shall not be limited by the facility unless the visitor is engaging in disruptive, threatening, or unsafe behavior.

3. General Visitation Hours:

General visitation is permitted 7 days per week between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., unless the resident chooses to receive visitors at other times.
Visitors should respect posted quiet hours and resident privacy:

IV. VISITATION PROTOCOLS

4. Check-In Procedures:

All visitors must sign in and out at the front desk. Visitors may be asked to provide identification.
Visitors may be subject to health screenings, including temperature checks, in compliance with facility infection control protocols.

5. Infection Control Requirements:

Visitors must comply with any reasonable safety measures during infectious disease outbreaks, such as wearing masks or hand sanitizing.
Visitors may not be denied access solely due to refusal to wear protective gear unless it endangers resident health per CDC or AHCA guidance.

6. Restrictions:

Visitation may only be restricted on a case-by-case basis for the health and safety of residents, not as a general policy.
Any restriction must be documented and must comply with Rule 59A-

36.007(6), F.A.C.

7. Compassionate Care Visits:

Facilities must allow in-person compassionate care visits at all times, including during an emergency or lockdown.
These visits are not limited to end-of-life situations.

8. Reporting Violations:

Residents and families may report concerns regarding visitation to the facility administrator or to AHCA directly at 1-888-419-3456.

9. Non-Retaliation:

Residents and visitors will not face retaliation for asserting their rights under this policy.
Residents and their families will be educated on the elopement policy upon admission and during care plan reviews.

Education will include information on the purpose and implications of the elopement policy, the process for assessing elopement risk, and the rights of residents to have their safety ensured.