According to the American Health Care Association, over half of those in assisted living services in the US are aged 85 or over. Therefore, it stands to reason that many of them will have extended families who wish to start visiting loved ones in care.
However, several senior care visitation rules, such as visiting hours and other assisted living visit guidelines, are often in place to protect residents. So, how can one navigate these protocols to ensure the comfort of those in need?
Visiting loved ones in assisted living can be a meaningful experience. To maintain that sense of closeness, this article will help you understand how the visiting hours and assisted living protocols work to ensure thoughtful and enjoyable visits.
Keep reading to learn the guidelines to enhance your visits with those you love.
While visiting hours do not appear on our website, please feel free to contact us at any time to confirm the best times to see your family members. Our phone number for community queries is 510.594.8800, and you can call it anytime for the latest information on the community's happenings.
If you phone ahead of time, we should be able to prepare for your arrival and ensure a seamless experience for both you and your loved one. Doing this ensures that visits overlap as little as possible, preventing periods where the location feels busy and overwhelming for our residents. Your loved ones are also likely to feel much more comfortable when they can predict the events in a day, reducing their anxiety or stress.
In some cases, we may even be able to accommodate a shared meal or even help you participate in group events where it would make sense, enhancing the visit further.
If there is an upcoming family celebration or if someone is visiting from a long distance, we are much more likely to be able to accommodate people outside of regular hours. However, you must seek pre-approval from staff members, so contact us beforehand to avoid confusion.
In general, morning and early afternoon are often the most appropriate times to visit The Watermark by the Bay residents due to their activity levels and alertness. During the quiet evening hours, we attempt to ensure a more restful period for our residents. These visiting hours align with community routines to avoid disruption and ensure the comfort of the entire community.
However, we may make exceptions for holidays or event-specific circumstances, so check beforehand to ensure you have the latest information on our scheduling.
You must check in upon arrival. We mandate this for the safety of both yourself and those you are here to visit. If an incident occurs, we can check who has visited should a resident question us later.
We can also cross-check this information with a list of those allowed to see a resident, ensuring the security of your loved ones.
The Watermark by the Bay also has strict health and hygiene requirements. You must ensure you use hand sanitizers and other methods to protect residents from illnesses. If you believe you are ill, please remain distant until you are over the sickness for the safety of your loved ones and others in our community.
If you have any questions about these protocols, you can contact us anytime to ensure your interactions are respectful to residents and prevent the spread of diseases. For those in our community with cognitive challenges, this may be even more serious, as it can help avoid any confusion they may feel.
Our residents have a routine to help them grow accustomed to life in a community residence. As such, refrain from loud conversations or sudden movements that may cause distress for those in our location who may be shocked by them. We are incredibly proud of our peaceful environment, which both your loved ones and others can enjoy.
We also ask visitors to ask any loved ones they visit for their preferences regarding visiting times. Doing this offers a sense of independence and ensures their comfort and well-being. They may also have specific activities they may not wish to miss, so attempt to empower them with agency over such occurrences.
While it is not a rule, we would encourage you to plan for meaningful activities when you visit. Whether that is:
We are aware that not all news may be positive. As such, be mindful that our staff are on hand should you need additional support sharing occurrences that may cause upset. We recognize how open communication can help you offer familial support and strengthen bonds, but we also want to help when necessary.
When you are with residents, also be aware of their level of fatigue. You may need to adjust your plans for their comfort and, if necessary, return on a later day.
If you are unsure of what to do, speak with our staff. We have a great deal of experience with each of our residents and may have discovered an interest with your loved one they may not have known before moving into our community. You can then learn from them, helping the interaction be two-sided and allowing them to display excitement about their time in our location.
Following our protocols is not only a good idea, but it can also ensure a positive experience for both visitors and residents of our community. By following these steps, visitors to The Watermark by the Bay help ensure we offer a welcoming, safe, and comfortable environment.
Contact us today to plan your visit, learn about our visiting hours, or discover more about our community in Emeryville, CA. Schedule your visit to start making memories that will last.