Shell Point Assisted Living Communities Visitation Policy

Policy Statement:

Shell Point Assisted Living communities are committed to supporting resident rights and have developed visitations policies as required by Florida Statute 408.823. We recognize that each resident has the right to the emotional and physical benefits that come from regular visits with family and friends. This policy is designed to support the “No Patient Left Behind Act”.

In person visitation is allowed in all the following circumstances:

  • End of life situations;
  • A difficult transition or loss, including recently moving into the facility;
  • Making one or more major medical decisions;
  • Experiencing emotional distress or grieving the loss of a friend or family member who recently died;
  • Resident needing cueing or encouragement to eat or drink which was previously provided by a family member or caregiver; or
  • Resident who used to talk and interact with others is seldom speaking
Definitions:
General Visitation:
  • Visitation may occur any time of day, 365 days per year.
  • Visitation may occur in resident’s apartment, outdoor community spaces, or common areas.
  • Residents are not limited in how many visitors they can have per day or at one time.
  • Children visiting Shell Point residents should be supervised by adults at all times.
  • Overnight visitors are welcome to stay with you in assisted living. Residents may have overnight houseguests for short visits with a maximum stay of 15 continuous days per visit. At least 10 days must elapse before the same person may return for another stay, with a maximum of 45 days per calendar year, per person.
Essential Caregiver:
  • Designation determined by resident naming a family member, friend, guardian, or other individual as an essential caregiver. This individual provides emotional support to help a resident deal with:
     o End of life situations;
     o A difficult transition or loss, including recently moving into the facility;
     o Making one or more major medical decisions;
     o Experiencing emotional distress or grieving the loss of a friend or family member who recently died;
     o Resident needing cueing or encouragement to eat or drink which was previously provided by a family member or caregiver; or
     o Resident who used to talk and interact with others is seldom speaking
Personal Protective Equipment:
  • Equipment or devices to maintain the safety of the individual or others
  • Personal Protective Equipment may include face masks, respirators, face shields, gloves, and gowns
Procedures for General Visitation:
  1. Shell Point Assisted Living residents may have visitors any time of day, 365 days per year.
  2. All visitors must sign in and out.
  3. Educational information is posted at the sign-in area regarding what signs or symptoms may indicate a contagious illness and the facility’s visitation policy. Visitors may request a copy of this policy at the concierge desk.
  4. All visitors may choose to, but are not required to, wear a mask while in common areas of the Assisted Living Community.
  5. Visitors will not be compelled to provide proof of vaccination or immunization status.
  6. If visiting someone who is currently on quarantine or isolation, the visitor will be educated on transmission-based precautions, donning and doffing of PPE, and proper hand hygiene.
    a. All visitors will wear PPE as designated by the facility based on the type of visit and the route of transmission of the organism with which the resident is infected.
    b. All visits are subject to monitoring for compliance with all infection control procedures, including appropriate use of PPE.
    c. Any violation of policies, procedures, or instructions from staff may result in the revocation of visitation privileges.
  7. Shell Point Assisted Living does not limit any consensual physical contact between a resident and their visitors.
Essential Caregiver Visit Procedures:
  1. If a facility outbreak occurs, general visitation guidelines may be scaled back in efforts to ensure resident and staff safety, and to stop the spread of infection.
  2. If General Visitation protocols are stopped momentarily, each resident has the right to designate a friend, family member, guardian, or individual to serve as an Essential Caregiver, unless the resident objects.
  3. An essential caregiver may visit for up to two hours per day in addition to any other visitation authorized by the resident’s medical provider.
  4. Even in the case of a full facility quarantine or if resident is contagious themselves; essential caregiver visits are still allowed. Essential caregivers are asked to limit movement within the facility to that necessary to travel to and from the resident’s apartment.
  5. Essential caregiver is not required to provide necessary care to resident, client, or patient of a provider, and the providers may not require an essential caregiver to provide such care.
  6. Appropriate PPE will be provided by the facility staff and must be worn per staff instructions.

December 2025