News & Events

March 17, 2021 –

We are so happy to let you know about the updated guidance we’ve received on visitations for residents and families from the CDC, CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) and the MA Department of Public Health. The new guidance provides additional flexibility to family visitation in response to vaccination uptake amongst residents and staff and decreasing community transmission. Our visitation policy will evolve as additional guidance is presented.  As always, the safety of our residents, staff and family members is our top priority at Heritage.

In-Person Visitation

Heritage will offer in-person visitation in a designated indoor or outdoor visitation space, provided that we are able to maintain all of the safety, care and infection control measures as we have during the pandemic.

• A resident who is suspected or confirmed to be infected with COVID-19 cannot participate in a visit unless it is a compassionate care visit. A resident may be visited if: the resident has recovered from COVID-19; or the resident is quarantined after a recent hospital stay and is not suspected or confirmed to be infected with COVID-19, or the resident is not quarantined and have never tested positive for COVID-19.

• Heritage must screen the visitor for COVID-19 symptoms and exposure within the past 14 days and check the temperature prior to bringing the visitor to the visitation space. Anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 (Fever of 99.5 F or greater, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, myalgia, chills, new onset of loss of taste of smell) or those who have had close contact with someone with COVID-19 infection in the prior 14 days will not be permitted to visit with our residents.

• Visitors should remain at least six feet from the resident and staff members for the majority of the visit.

• Close contact, including touch, may be allowed if desired by both the resident and the visitor. In order to reduce risk of transmission, individuals must:

• Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% ETOH before and after contact

• Hug with faces in opposite directions and;

• Limit the duration of close physical contact and avoid face to face contact even when face masks are used.

• Residents, as they are able to do so, and visitors must wear a face mask for the duration of the visit.
• Heritage will maintain a schedule for frequent cleaning and disinfection of the designated visitation space, including cleaning high-touch surfaces using appropriately EPA-registered disinfectants.

Resident Room Visitation Space

In addition to the in-person visitation described above, Heritage is able to offer:

• Residents who are fully vaccinated may visit with loved ones who are fully vaccinated in their rooms. Residents who are fully vaccinated may visit with loved ones who are fully vaccinated without social distancing, if both parties are wearing face masks, as able.

Outdoor Visitation Space

In addition to the in-person indoor visitation conditions described above, Heritage will continue to offer outdoor visitation and adhere to the following:

• Visits with residents may occur in a designated outdoor space; outdoor visits will be dependent on a permissible weather conditions, availability of suitable outdoor space and the health and well-being of the resident.
• A Heritage staff member trained in safety and infection control measures will remain immediately available to the resident at all times during the visit.

We expect that visitation guidance will continue to evolve over the next several months and we will keep you posted as policies are updated.  Thank you for your continued support and patience as we work together for a safe visitation experience for all.

Sincerely,

Lisa Kubiak, President/CEO

Mary Ann Morse Healthcare Corp.

Interim Executive Director, Mary Ann Morse at Heritage