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Updated Formal Visitation Policy

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The safety of our patients, staff and visitors is of the utmost importance to us.

As such, the Center has instituted the following guidelines regarding visitation:

• All visitors must make an appointment prior to arriving. Visitation is restricted to two visitors at a time for a two hour visit. Visiting hours are from 8am to 8pm. Please call 908.889.7780 between 8am and 4pm to make an appointment.
• Visitors must show valid photo identification and proof of vaccination.
• Vaccinated visitors will be required to sanitize their hands and wear a surgical mask (provided at reception) for the entire visit. Visitors must go directly to a patient’s room and remain in that room for the duration of the visit. Visitors are encouraged to call upon staff with any questions or needs they may have.
• In addition to the aforementioned rules, unvaccinated visitors (or those not fully vaccinated) will be required to sanitize their hands and will receive TWO surgical masks (provided at reception) and remain DOUBLE masked for the duration of the visit.

We thank you for your understanding throughout these trying and difficult times. We will try to be as flexible and compassionate as we can be given the current circumstances and guidelines.

Formal Visitation Policy, as of July 12, 2021

CENTER FOR HOPE OUTBREAK PREVENTION PLAN – KEEPING OUR STAFF AND PATIENTS SAFE:
The Center has maintained, and continues to maintain, adequate staffing to care for our patients. The Center has obtained and distributed an adequate supply of Personal Protective Equipment for all employees. Our employees are regularly tested for the virus in accordance with updated Department of Health guidelines. Patients are tested as required. Temperature checks and symptoms screening of staff and patients are routine. Upon first entry, patients are admitted to separate areas of our facilities and are grouped according to Department of Health guidelines.

RESPONDING TO THE NEEDS OF OUR FAMILY MEMBERS:
The Center understands that during these times of limited visitation, communication with appropriate family members regarding a patient’s changes, new medications or a change in the treatment plan must be communicated expeditiously. Additionally, the Center has implemented a system of visiting through video, which is available around the clock. Patient families will be notified of any changes to patient care or policy by phone as necessary. Updates are posted on our website at least weekly.

OUR VISITING POLICY:
Due to the Covid crisis, the Center, for the safety of our staff, patients and visitors, must limit both the number of visitors and the hours during which visitors are allowed in our residences. This number is determined by the needs of the patient and family; and, by the availability of our staff to monitor visitors.

Visitors must make an appointment before visiting. At that time you will be informed about available times and any limitations we must impose.

These are difficult times and this pandemic must be taken seriously. Thank you for your cooperation.

For more information or any questions about our visitation policy, please call 908.889.7780.

Formal Visitation Policy, as of January 6, 2021

At this time, there are three methods of visiting our patients:

Indoor and Outdoor Visiting – Patients may receive visitors inside or outside our facilities with the following limitations:

• Visiting Hours are from 8am to 8pm. All visits require an appointment.
• Appointments are for up to 2 visitors at a time per patient.​
• Multiple appointments per patient per day may be allowed.
• Visitors may exchange places.
• All visitors continue to be screened according to guidelines.
• Visitors remain masked throughout their stay, including in the patient’s room.
• Visitors are escorted to and from the patient’s room and are to remain in the patient’s room for the length of their visit.
• Public areas are closed to visitors.
• Tours may also be provided by appointment; all visitors will be fully screened and accompanied by a facility member at all times.

Window Visiting – Window visiting can be done for patients on the first floor of our Elizabeth facility and all patients at Peggy’s House in Scotch Plains, with the following limitations:

• All visitors cannot climb through or hang inside of windows.
• Masks must be worn at all times and social distancing must be observed.
• Visitors are not allowed into the residence beyond the reception station, including for use of rest facilities (accommodations have been made outside of both facilities).

​UPDATED AUGUST 27, 2020

Re: Formal Visitation Policy, as of July 17, 2020

To clarify, our current visitation hours are between 8:00am and 4:30pm, all by appointment. However, we will make accommodations for those visitors who, for some unforeseen reason, are unable to visit during those hours. Should you have any questions, or if you’d like to schedule your appointment, please call 908-889-7780.

UPDATED JULY 17, 2020

Re: Formal Visitation Policy, as of July 17, 2020​

The Center has installed large tents, tables and chairs in the backyards of both Peggy’s House and our Elizabeth facility for patients willing and able to have an outdoor visit. Indoor visits, while previously reserved strictly for patients nearing the end of life, have been opened (on a limited basis and with the same restrictions listed in previous updates) for patients unable to have outdoor visits.

​​UPDATED JUNE 30, 2020

Re: Formal Visitation Policy, as of June 26, 2020

We are all aware of the stress on families and patients, as well as Center staff, from families being unable to visit their terminally ill loved ones. In keeping with newly updated state guidelines and established practices for Infection Control, we will begin to allow limited visiting under controlled conditions. Management appreciates the input offered by many of our nurses and aides in coming to the decision to resume visiting in a slow and careful manner.

Patient visits inside a Center for Hope Hospice residence:Patients assessed as nearing end-of-life (EOLP) may receive visitors in the facility with the following limitations.

• EOL patients may have 1 visitor who can visit for 1 hour a day in the facility.
• Visitors will be screened for symptoms, will wear a face mask or covering and any other PPE determined necessary throughout the visit.
• Any visitor reporting or displaying any symptom of potential infection will be restricted from entering the facility.
• Visitors will log in with their name, patient visiting and a way to contact them.
• Visitors will receive and sign a consent form acknowledging the risk of entering a care facility and agreeing to follow all posted rules and directions given by Center staff.
• Visitor will receive instruction on hand hygiene and to monitor themselves for any symptoms of infection for 14 days after their visit.
• Visitors will be escorted directly to the patient’s room and must remain in the patient’s room for the duration of their visit time. This will also require them to use the patient’s bathroom, if needed.
• Visitors may not roam through the facility or socialize with other patients or families in the facility.
• If a visitor is visiting any patient in a secured or isolation area, that visitor is to wear full PPE (facemask, poncho, and gloves)
• Visitors will still be encouraged to use outdoor areas as appropriate with patients.
• For outdoor visits with patients, Center personnel will help the patient outside and monitor the visit.
• Visitors unable or unwilling to cooperate with these essential requirements will be restricted.
• All questions about the patient’s EOL condition will be referred to the clinical manager.
• These limitations will be reviewed and updated periodically or as required by state authorities.

Patient visits outside of Center for Hope Hospice residences (gardens, etc.) For patients not assessed as nearing the end-of-life, virtual (audio-visual) and outdoor visits may be arranged by appointment.

• All visitors will be screened, log in and provide informed consent as above.
• Masks and social distancing will be observed at all times.
• Patients will be transported to the outdoor areas only by Center personnel.
• Patient may have up to 2 visitors at a time for outdoor visiting.
• Visit time will be limited to 1 hour or as adjusted periodically.
• A Center member will remain at all times to ensure patient safety and visiting rules are maintained.
• Center staff will return the patient to their suite at the end of the visit.
• Visitors are not allowed into the residence beyond the reception station, including for use of rest facilities.

UPDATED JUNE 25, 2020

Re: Visitation Resumes in a Limited Capacity

We welcome back our visitors! We’ve missed you!!!

Limited visitation will resume Friday, June 26, 2020.

The safety of our patients and staff remains our primary concern. In their interests, we ask for your complete cooperation with whatever limitations might be necessary.

Visitation will begin in a limited way, for a limited time, and by appointment only. Patients identified as being eligible to receive visitors will be allowed one visitor for one hour per day. Visitors must comply with all regulations set forth by the department of health and by the policies of the Center. These requirements include, but are not limited to, health screenings, attestations and the willingness to wear appropriate personal protective equipment.

As the Center reassesses these limitations, and under the guidance of our regulatory entities, we will notify our families when these rules are updated.

UPDATED APRIL 29, 2020

Re: Admissions

We have been getting many calls about whether or not we are accepting new patients and admitting into our residences. Yes, we most certainly are, as vacancy restrictions allow.

UPDATED MARCH 26, 2020

Re: Visiting a Center for Hope Residence

Due to the coronavirus pandemic and in the interests of the safety of our patients and staff, there will be no visitors allowed until further notice. For more information call 908-889-7780.

We regret these necessary steps and we ask for your cooperation and understanding during these difficult times.

UPDATED MARCH 20, 2020

Re: Patients Residing At Home

Dear Patients, Caregivers and Families:

The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has forced every American to change their behavior in an effort to protect themselves and others from contracting the virus. We at the Center for Hope have fully embraced these measures and whole-heartedly support the efforts of the Centers for Disease Control and our local health departments to protect the well-being of our population.

Balancing these concerns is our commitment to quality patient care no matter what barriers may present. Therefore, the Center is taking the following steps to minimize the number of our staff who must enter your home without sacrificing the services of those staff who are necessary:

Before every visit by any staff member, you will be called and asked the following:

1. Do you have a fever, sore throat, cough or shortness of breath?
2. Have you had contact with someone who has been infected with or is suspected to be infected with the COVID-19 virus?
3. Do you reside in a community where community-based spread is occurring?
4. Have you traveled to countries with sustained community transmission, such as China, Japan, South Korea, Iran or Italy within the last 14 days?
   If you answer ‘YES’ to any of these questions, a staff member will describe additional precautions that must be taken.

• Our Patient Response System remains completely operational. If you need a nurse to visit in an emergency, no matter what time of the day or night, we assure you that a nurse will be available and will make that visit.
• Nursing visits will continue as planned. However, even nursing visits can be limited if the patient, family, caregiver and physician agree. To request a change in the frequency of our nursing visits, please speak with your case managing nurse. Patients need to understand that the frequency of visits is by doctor’s orders and the doctor must change those orders for our nurses to be able to comply.
• Home Health Aide (HHA) services will continue at your discretion. No action is needed if you would like the HHA there on his/her current schedule. However, if you would like to reduce the number of days the HHA is in your home; or, temporarily discontinue the service, you must call Aleeya Morgan at 908-889-7780 to arrange this change.
• Chaplains and social workers will check in with our patients and families by phone and will visit patients if deemed necessary by our patient, caregiver or family.
• If you are in need of supplies that relate to the care and treatment of the patient, those supplies will be ordered and delivered. In the short-term, please be aware that some supplies (widely reported in the media) may not be available, may be severely limited or may be delayed.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is used to create a barrier between the virus and the caregiver. All of our home-visiting staff will be wearing some form of PPE, such as our usual gloves, but also masks, shoe coverings and in some rare cases, gowns. The use of PPE will be determined by the nurse and will be based on CDC recommendations and the comfort of our patients and families.

Please remember that any overt signs of the COVID-19 disease, such as fever, sore throat and coughing, may necessitate that both the caregiver and the patient be masked.

Additionally, the Center’s residences in Elizabeth and Scotch Plains are open and available for respite care, should it be needed (as occupancy allows).

Finally, if you feel that there are additional steps the Center should be taking, we would like to hear from you. Please note that the Center is a highly regulated organization and some suggestions may conflict with existing regulations. However, that should not discourage you from expressing any idea that you think is valuable.

It is our desire, our hope, and our responsibility to remain open, available, and responsive to the needs of our patients. Everyone at the Center is dedicated to continuing our mission regardless of the current crisis. As things change, we will endeavor to keep you informed as quickly as we can. Thank you for trusting the Center with your care or the care of someone you love.

Sincerely,
Frank Brady, MPA, RN
President