During this time of uncertainty, we are all required to pay close attention to precautions and guidelines set forth by the California Department of Public Health. It can be difficult to pivot our plans and continually have to adjust, especially when it comes to visiting a loved one in a skilled nursing facility.
On November 23, 2020, Orchard Hospital plans to begin “in facility visitation” at Hovlid Community Care Center. There are strict guidelines in place to ensure the safety of the residents, visitors, and staff.
The guidelines for “in facility visitation” at Orchard Hospital are as follows:
- All visits must be scheduled 24 hours in advance.
- Only 1 visit at a time will take place.
- No more than 2 visitors will be allowed per visit for each resident.
- Visitation times will be 9-11 am and 1-3 pm to accommodate mealtimes and staffing.
- Visitors must arrive 30 minutes prior to the visit for COVID-19 screening/testing and education related to personal protective equipment (PPE). Visitor consents will also be signed at this time.
- Visits will take place in a designated space.
- Visits will be 15 minutes in length to accommodate cleaning in-between visits.
Other options to connect with loved ones are encouraged, such as patio visits, Zoom, and window visits.
Tips to Make Your Visit Enjoyable
Even when taking the recommended precautions, residents and visitors may still feel uncertain and experience personal anxiety about Covid-19, which can lead to feelings of awkwardness and not knowing how to talk and act during your visit. Because the visits are short you want to make them count. Here are some tips to start the conversation on a positive note and make your visit worthwhile.
- Arrive with a smile.
- Be clear and direct in communicating any boundaries.
- Set expectations ahead of time; for example, you may not be able to hug the resident or stay as long as you'd like.
- Bring something to show them, such as recent photos, a drawing or craft your child made, or a game to play.
- Write simple notecards beforehand and leave them so the resident has something to open each day.
- Bring an interesting article to read to them.
- Come prepared with conversation starters. Instead of asking, “how are you?” try: (1) What is something good that’s happened this week? (2) What are you learning right now? (3) What are you most looking forward to this week?
- Set a day and time for a phone call or video chat.
- Schedule your next visit so they have something to look forward to.
If you have any questions, or would like to schedule a visit, please call (530) 797-8601.
Our mission at Orchard Hospital is to provide our community with superior healthcare. We strive to ensure that your experience at Orchard Hospital is as pleasant and comfortable as possible. Our priority is to provide you with the care you need when you need it, with skill, compassion, and respect.
