November 21, 2021
Dear Family Members,
Did you hear the most recent news regarding Visitations?
Recently, CMS updated their Nursing Home Visitation Guidance. Because of the high rates of vaccination among residents and staff, visitation is now allowed. We are excited to announce the following at Maunalani:
- Reservation to visit your loved one is no longer required.
- You may visit as your loved one desires. However, inebriated or disruptive behaviors will not be tolerated. The individual will be required to immediately exit the facility.
- We recommend visits to happen during residents’ waking hours (10 AM– 6 PM). However, if you need to visit outside of our recommended time, please let us know and we will accommodate.
- While we are not limiting the duration of your visit, we do want you to be considerate of our staff’s need to provide treatment and care to the roommates and the residents’ need for rest.
- Outdoor visits are still highly recommended. However, family group gathering or parties must be pre-arranged due to space limitation and other considerations. Please contact the office of the COO Jerome Flores at (808) 695-2803 for groups larger than five (5).
- Maunalani is still required to ensure that visitors will not pose increased risks to other residents or staff, and adhere to the core principles of COVID-19 infection prevention. Visitors will continue to wear a mask in the facility.
- While social distancing continues to be encouraged, you may have physical contact (touch or hug) with your loved one.
- Communal activities and dining are encouraged. The safest approach is for everyone in a group setting, regardless of vaccination status, is to wear a mask when not eating or drinking and staying away from another person at a safe arm’s length distance.
- CMS continues to strongly encourage everyone to get vaccinated.
Question & Answers
Will visitors and staff still be required to screen upon entry?
Yes. Everyone (except for the State Ombudsman and emergency personnel) who enters the facility must still be screened upon entry. Any visitor who has symptoms of illness or tested positive for COVID-19 will not be allowed to enter the facility or will be asked to leave.
Can I visit without wearing a mask?
No. Visitors must wear a mask around residents and healthcare personnel regardless of their vaccination status. We follow the State of Hawaii’s requirement for masking and social distancing.
Can I visit in my loved one’s room?
Yes, you may. However, if your loved one has roommate(s), please be mindful of the roommates’ right for privacy, dignity, need for rest and their health status (i.e. roommates are unvaccinated, immune-compromised, etc.).
While in the facility, can I visit other residents or staff?
No. Please remember that the COVID-19 pandemic is still with us. Visitors should go directly to their loved one and not wander around in the facility.
Can you install umbrellas or more shades in the courtyard?
Yes. We are looking into providing more shady areas for outdoor visitation. Meanwhile, please enjoy the beautiful covered lanais all around our building.
Can I take my loved one out of the facility for brief visits to home, shopping, dining, etc.?
Yes. Please remember to observe infection prevention practices when you and your loved one are away from the facility. We will screen your loved one when he/she returns. If you do take your loved one out and you find out you or someone who had close contact with your loved ones comes down with COVID, please contact us immediately.
What should I report to the facility upon return?
You should report if your loved one had a possible close contact with an individual with COVID-19 while out of the facility so that we may provide testing to your loved one and place him/her on quarantine as necessary.
What happens if my loved one tested positive?
If the resident develops signs or symptoms of COVID-19 after returning to the facility, we will place him/her in our isolation room and observe Transmission Based Precautions (regardless of vaccination status).
My loved one is not vaccinated. Can I still take him/her out?
Yes. However, upon their return, we may have to quarantine and closely monitor unvaccinated residents who leave the facility.
Can my loved one stay out overnight?
A resident who leaves for 24 hours or longer will be treated as new admission as recommended by the CDC. For details, please contact our COO at (808) 695-2803.
All of us at Maunalani appreciate your patience and cooperation to keep our residents and staff safe throughout this difficult pandemic.
Mahalo and Happy Holidays!
Sai Chantavy
Executive Director/CEO