Visiting Hours Policy

Visiting Hours Policy

Effective Date: [Original NPP Date]
Revised Date: [Current Date]

Goal

Provide unrestricted contact for residents with their families and friends.

Policy

I. General Visiting Hours

• Visiting is allowed at any time to ensure residents can maintain contact with their families and friends.
• To prevent residents from having their privacy compromised (e.g., early morning care hours) or from being disturbed (late night hours), the facility suggests visiting occur between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.

II. Special Accommodations

• Should a resident wish to have visitors at unusual hours which may be disturbing to others, accommodations will be made for the individual resident to greet his visitor(s) in an area (e.g., lounge) where other residents are not disturbed or their privacy compromised.

III. Restrictions on Visiting Privileges

• No individual resident’s visiting privileges shall be restricted unless ordered by the attending physician for sufficient reason.
• If the resident refuses to see a visitor, or if a visitor’s behavior is unreasonably disruptive to the functioning of the facility, he/she may be asked to leave the facility.
• This decision will be made by the administrative personnel in charge of the facility and will be documented with the reason for such decision.

IV. Children and Pets

• Children and pets are welcome under the supervision of an adult.

References:

• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. State Operations Manual, Appendix PP - Guidance to Surveyors for Long-Term Care Facilities. [Link to current CMS SOM]
• CMS Requirements of Participation for Long-Term Care Facilities. [Link to current guidelines]