Visitor Policy

In accordance with O. Reg.246/22, s.267, Huron Lodge maintains a visitor policy that is subject to change with Ontario Health, Chief Medical Officer of Health, Ministry of Long-Term Care guidance and/or directives, as applicable.

Visitor Access during Non-Outbreak Situations

Huron Lodge recognizes the vital role that families, friends, and visitors play in providing caregiving and emotional supports to residents in long-term care, and the positive impact visitors and caregivers have on the quality of life our residents. As this is their home, residents are welcome to receive visitors at any time of their choosing. Residents and visitors are free to visit in the home in both private and communal spaces, as well as outdoors. Visitors are required to sign-in upon arrival and sign out upon departure from the home. Visitors are required to comply with any masking/PPE requirements as per the Chief Medical Officer of Health’s direction or at the direction of the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Long-Term Care, or the local Public Health Unit and will supersede any requirements within this policy.

Visitor Access during Outbreak

To ensure a safe environment that follows locally or provincially mandated procedures during an outbreak of communicable disease or an outbreak of a disease of public health significance, an epidemic or pandemic, visitor protocols may change as per the Chief Medical Officer of Health’s direction or at the direction of the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Long-Term Care, or the local Public Health Unit and will supersede any requirements within this policy. During outbreak, visitors are required to comply with any masking/PPE requirements as per the Chief Medical Officer of Health’s direction or at the direction of the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Long-Term Care, or the local Public Health Unit and will supersede any requirements within this policy. Visitors should consider their personal health when determining whether visiting a long-term care home in outbreak is appropriate. General visitors are encouraged to postpone non-essential visits to resident(s) who are symptomatic and/or in isolation, or when the home is in outbreak.

Essential Visitors

Essential visitors will continue to have access to the home during an outbreak, subject to any applicable directives, orders, guidance, advice or recommendations issued by the Chief Medical Officer of Health, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Long-Term Care, and local public health unit.

Symptomatic Visitors

Visitors who are experiencing COVID-19 and/or other respiratory illness-related symptoms are strongly encouraged to refrain from visiting until symptoms improve.

Screening Protocols

The home will provide information with respect to applicable screening protocols as directed by the Chief Medical Officer of Health, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Long-Term Care, and local public health unit to visitors entering the home at such time any screening protocol is in place as directed by the aforementioned regulatory bodies.

Maintaining Documentation

The home will maintain visitor logs for a minimum of 30 days to track the name and contact information of the visitor; the time and date of the visit; and, the name of the resident visited. When circumstances warrant, the home will keep a written record of the designation of a caregiver.

Policy Availability

A copy of the Visitor Policy is available to any resident or visitor, upon request.

Definitions

“essential visitor”, means:

(a) a caregiver,

(b) a support worker who visits a home to provide support to the critical operations of the home or to provide essential services to residents,

(c) a person visiting a very ill resident for compassionate reasons including, but not limited to, hospice services or end-of-life care, or (

d) a government inspector with a statutory right to enter a long-term care home to carry out their duties.

References

1. COVID-19 Guidance for Public Health Units: Long-Term Care Homes, Retirement Homes, and Other Congregate Living Settings. Version 11 – June 26, 2023.