10/15/20

We are very excited to share the news that we will soon be able to resume indoor visits, and we warmly welcome you back. Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) issued guidance on how we can safety re-open to visitors and continue to protect the health of our residents and staff.  We are currently developing a safe and comprehensive plan and expect visits to resume on 10-19-2020.

Our ability to resume visitation would not have been possible without the incredible commitment and dedication of our staff, who have worked tirelessly to manage the risks of COVID-19. We know that you, too, have made sacrifices during this incredibly difficult time and we thank you for your patience and understanding.

The guidance provided by MDH is quite detailed, and we appreciate your patience as we take time to evaluate and implement the criteria so that we can safely resume visits. Because we have zero cases of COVID in the Neighborhoods we are able to resume visits. If our facility experiences any positive COVID cases with staff or residents OR our county transmission rate is above 10%, visits will be suspended until it is safe to start again. If you have been assigned as an Essential Caregiver, this letter doesn’t pertain to your situation and you will be allowed to continue your caregiving duties as normal. 

The following is a list of things you can expect if you would like to visit a family member or friend: 

·       Your visit must be scheduled per the guidance. This allows us to monitor the number of visitors in our building at any given time. Please see attached page for instructions. 

·       Expect to be screened for COVID symptoms upon entrance to the building. 

·       Visitors will need to wear a mask or other face covering at all times. 

·       Visitors will need to sign in and out and leave contact information. 

·       Stay at least 6 feet from others (social distancing)

·       For all visits, please enter through the Town Center door, where you will be escorted to a visitation area. 

·       Please see the attached page for Frequently Asked Questions and further instructions. 

If the above guidelines are not able to be followed, the visitor will be asked to conduct their visit through another option such as a virtual visit or a window visit. 

Thank you again for being partners with us in fighting the COVID-19 virus. Your messages of support, prayers, and caring will not be forgotten. There may be more challenges ahead, and we may need to make adjustments as we roll-out our plan. Please do not hesitate to reach out to your neighborhood if you have any questions or concerns. 

Sincerely,

Steph Haukos                       Betty Williamson                 Ashley McLain                    Kirsten Karels

Orton’s Crossing                     Granite View                            Harvest Trail                            Social Worker

320-839-4178                          320-839-4183                          320-839-4518                          320-839-4173

How do I schedule a visit?
All visits will be scheduled through an online scheduling system. To schedule a visit:

·      Go to https://calendly.com/fwvneighborhoods/visitation

·      A calendar will appear. Pick your intended date of visit. Once you click on the date, a list of open time slots will appear. 

·      Click on the requested time slot you would like

·      Enter your contact information and click SCHEDULE EVENT when finished. 

Please do not come for a visit if you feel ill, are demonstrating symptoms related to COVID-19, have been in contact with someone who is COVID-19 positive in past 14 days or have tested positive for COVID-19. 

Will there be scheduled hours for the visitation?

Yes. When you schedule your visit online you will see that there are a limited number of visitations per day. Each visit can be up to one hour in length with a max of 3 visitors at one time per resident. 

Will there ever be a circumstance where a visit is denied?
It is our goal and intention to meet all requests for visitation. However, we retain the right to deny visits based on the status of COVID-19 in the building or the risk of virus transmission in our community. For example: if a resident or staff is diagnosed with COVID-19, visitation will be restricted until our setting has been COVID-19 free for 14 days.  Consistent with state and federal guidance, we also regularly monitor the level of COVID-19 transmission in our broader community, and changes in the transmission rate may also lead to changes in visitation policy. 

A visit may also be denied if a visitor shows signs or symptoms of COVID or has a known exposure to COVID. Further, failure to follow the guidance from MDH could result in the denial of a visit. 

What can I expect when I arrive for my visit?

You will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms upon arrival, and asked to use alcohol-rub sanitizer. You will be escorted to the visitation area where the visit will take place. 

Am I allowed to give my loved one a hug or hold their hand?

No. Due to the increased risk of exposure, holding hands, hugging, kissing, and other physical contact is not allowed during visits. A wave is the safest way to greet the resident. 

Is the visitation open for all ages?

Yes. Please know all visitors will be asked to comply with our visitation protocols regardless of their age.

Are there any other type of visitation allowed now?

Yes, outdoor visits, window visits and visits through alternative modes of communication (such as Zoom, Skype or FaceTime) are also available. We also continue to support compassionate care visits and designated individuals as essential caregivers when appropriate. 

What if I am wrongly denied visitation with my loved one?

If you believe you have been wrongly denied visitation, or you have questions that aren’t answered by these FAQs or the guidance, you may contact the Ombudsman for Long-Term Care at 651-431-2555 or 1-800-657-3591. 

http://oahs.us/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Letter-for-indoor-visitation-with-QA-1.pdf