Visitation Policy

Scarlet Manor opens on March 1, 2027. This policy takes effect the day we open and governs visitation from that day forward. We are publishing it now so families can read it before they choose us.

Florida law gives residents of assisted living facilities specific visitation rights that a facility cannot sign away or quietly narrow. This policy meets those requirements and in places goes further than them. It follows Sections 429.28 and 408.823 of the Florida Statutes, the second of which is known as the No Patient Left Alone Act.

Visiting hours

Visitors are welcome every day between 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. That is the minimum Florida law requires, and we treat it as a floor rather than a target.

We extend those hours on request. If you are a caregiver, if you are travelling from out of town, if your work makes daytime visits impossible, or if you simply need longer, ask us. We would rather move something in our day than turn you away at the door.

Who may visit

A resident may visit with any person of their choosing: family, friends, clergy, neighbors, anyone they want to see. We do not keep an approved list and we do not ask residents to explain their choices.

If a resident tells us they would rather not see a particular visitor, we respect that. The resident decides, not us and not their family.

You do not need to book ahead or give notice for an ordinary visit. Turning up is fine.

Where visits take place

You are welcome in your loved one's own suite, in our shared living and dining areas, and outdoors on the grounds when the weather allows. Where a visit happens is the resident's choice. If they would rather see you somewhere quieter than the common rooms, we will find you somewhere quieter.

Visits we will always allow

Florida law requires us to allow in-person visitation in the following situations, whatever else is happening in the community, unless the resident objects:

• End-of-life situations.
• When a resident who lived with family before moving in is struggling with the change in environment and the lack of in-person family support.
• When a resident is making one or more major medical decisions.
• When a resident is experiencing emotional distress or grieving the loss of a friend or family member who recently died.
• When a resident needs cueing or encouragement to eat or drink that a family member or caregiver previously provided.
• When a resident who used to talk and interact with others is now seldom speaking.

We want to be plain about this. These are not exceptions we grant as a favor. They are rights the resident already holds.

Essential caregivers

Any resident may designate an essential caregiver. That can be a family member, a friend, a guardian, or anyone else the resident chooses.

An essential caregiver may visit in person for at least two hours every day. That is in addition to all other visiting hours, not instead of them. A resident may change who they have designated, and may do so without giving a reason.

Physical contact

Residents and their visitors may touch one another. Consensual physical contact is permitted, and Florida law requires us to allow it. Nobody at Scarlet Manor will be asked to say goodbye through a window.

Screening and infection prevention

Please do not visit if you are unwell. We may ask you to complete a short health screening before entering, and we may ask you to follow reasonable infection prevention steps during your visit, such as hand hygiene or, in some circumstances, a mask or other protective equipment.

If you do not pass the health screening, or you decline to follow those procedures, we may decline the visit at that time. We will tell you why and we will help you arrange another way to see your loved one that day.

When a visit may be paused

There are narrow circumstances in which we may need to pause or limit a particular visit: where a visitor will not follow the infection prevention steps above, where a visitor's conduct puts a resident or a member of staff at risk, or where a resident is under precautions for a communicable infection.

When that happens we will tell you the reason at the time, record it, and tell you what has to change for the visit to go ahead. A pause applies to that visit and those circumstances only. It is not a ban, and it does not carry over.

Nothing in this section overrides the rights set out above. In the situations Florida law protects, including end-of-life, in-person visitation goes ahead.

We will not ask about vaccination

Florida law does not permit us to require visitors to show proof of any vaccination or immunization as a condition of visiting. We do not ask, and your vaccination status will never affect your ability to see your loved one.

Length of visits and number of visitors

We do not set a fixed time limit on visits or a fixed number of visitors. The only limits we apply are those needed to keep the community safe and to protect other residents' rest and privacy. If a visit needs to be adjusted, we will speak to you directly and explain why rather than pointing at a rule.

Who is responsible for this policy

Russell Harris Jr., our Administrator, is responsible for ensuring that Scarlet Manor staff follow this policy. Florida law requires a named person to hold that responsibility. If a member of our team applies this policy incorrectly, tell him and we will put it right.

If you have a concern

Speak to us first. Call +1 (850) 572-6762 or email info@scarletmanoralf.com and ask for the Administrator. Most misunderstandings are resolved the same day.

If we cannot resolve it, you can raise it with either of the following. Both are independent of Scarlet Manor and both are free to use:

• Florida Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, toll free 1-888-831-0404. The Ombudsman advocates for residents of assisted living facilities at no cost.
• Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, toll free 1-888-419-3456.

Changes to this policy

If we change this policy, the revised version will be published on this page and the date at the top will be updated. Nothing in a revision will reduce a right that Florida law gives a resident or a visitor.

Questions

If you have questions about visitation ahead of our opening, call +1 (850) 572-6762 or email info@scarletmanoralf.com.