Visitation Policy

Bella Mar Delray Beach recognizes the critical role family members, friends, visitors and other close outside caregivers have in the care, support and advocating for our residents. This policy is intended to promote visitor and resident compliance with applicable Florida regulations. As such, our residents have the right to unrestricted private communication, including receiving and sending unopened correspondence, access to a telephone, and visits with any person of his or her choice per Florida Statutes 408.823 & 429.28 (1)(d) and Senate Bill 988.

Compliance:

The Executive Director is responsible for ensuring staff and visitor adherence to the visitation policy.

Visiting Hours:

Bella Mar Delray Beach highly encourages visitation. Residents are permitted to receive visitors during all periods of residency in the community, for any length of stay and any number of visitors. Visitors are allowed visitation seven days a week. Residents are allowed to have visitors daily from 9:00 am – 9:00pm at a minimum; entry to the community may be regulated during overnight hours. If a resident wishes to receive visitors after designated Concierge hours, staff will be available to assist with entry upon request.

Access:

In accordance with state requirements, Bella Mar Delray Beach must provide immediate access to any resident by:

Any representative of the Secretary;
Any representative of the State;
Any representative of the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman;
The resident’s individual Health Care Provider;
Any representative of the agency responsible for the protection and advocacy system for the developmentally disabled individuals;
Any representative of the agency responsible for the protection of and advocacy system for individuals with mental disorders;
The resident’s legal representative.

Restricted Access:

In the event the community must restrict access due to a public health emergency or other safety concerns, Bella Mar Delray Beach may request visitors be limited to two at a time to accommodate multiple residents and to ensure resident and visitor safety standards are adhered to. Additionally, visitors may be asked to conduct visits in the resident’s apartment or other designated area in the community. Should access be restricted due to a public health emergency or safety concerns, upon request, the community shall make provisions to extend visiting access for essential caregivers, out-of-town guests, and in other similar situations.

Bella Mar Delray Beach has a right to suspend visitor privileges for in-person visitation if the visitor violates any of the facility’s policies and procedures including, but not limited to those related to infection control. Additionally, a resident or their legal resident has a right to deny or withdraw consent for any of their visitors at any time.

Bella Ma Delray Beach will not restrict, limit, or otherwise deny visitation privileges based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or disability. Facility does not require visitors to submit proof of any vaccination or immunization.

Essential Visits:

In accordance with SB 988, residents will be asked and are allowed choose/designate a person who is a family member, friend, or other individual as an essential caregiver. An essential caregiver may continue to visit even if visitation is restricted. If a resident would like to designate an individual as an essential caregiver, they should notify the Executive Director, Wellness Director or caregiver designee in writing. Residents are allowed to update their Essential Care Giver designee by providing written notice at least 2 business days in advance to the Executive Director or their designee.

Residents are allowed in person visitation in all the following circumstances:

End-of-life situations
A resident who was living with family before moving into the community is struggling with the change in environment and lack of in-person family support.
A resident who used to talk and interact with others is experiencing emotional distress, is seldom speaking, or is crying more frequently than he or she did previously
The resident is grieving the loss of a friend, family member or loved one who recently died.
A resident needs cueing or encouragement to eat or drink which was previously provided by a family member or caregiver, and the client is experiencing weight loss or dehydration.
The resident is making one or more major medical decisions.

Residents are allowed consensual physical contact with visitors.

Infection Control:

All visitors will be advised of and trained in Bella Mar’s infection control procedures by the Executive Director or their designee including any requirements for use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as required by current CDC guidelines. All residents approved visitors will be allowed entry provided they pass the community screening criteria and comply with community policies for entry. Bella Mar Delray Beach may refuse entry to any visitor if he/she does not comply with CDC guided health screenings or refuses to obey any infection control & safety protocols in effect at that time.

Should a visitor develop symptoms of a communicable disease within 24 hours of their last visit to the facility, they must immediately notify the facility of such.

Policy Effective: June 1, 2025

Revised: August 25, 2025