Nursing home to allow limited, outdoor visits

Prisma Health makes the  following announcement:

“Lila Doyle reopened its Seneca nursing care facility to limited outdoor visitation this week.

In accordance with federal and state guidance, Prisma Health Lila Doyle will follow all recommendations to ensure that residents, family members and team members remain safe during outdoor visitation.

Outdoor visitation at Lila Doyle will be offered Monday–Friday, 2–5 p.m., and potential visitors must call ahead of time to schedule a slot. Visitation is limited to two people, and visitors must be at least 12 years of age. In addition to the new outdoor visitation on weekdays, window visits will continue to be available on Saturdays. Visitors should arrive 15 minutes in advance to be screened.

Visits are only for 15 minutes unless the visitor provides a negative COVID-19 test from the previous five days or a positive antibody test within the past 30 days. Visitors must notify the scheduler of those test results on the initial phone call as well as provide written proof upon arrival. Visitors who provide documentation may visit up to 60 minutes.

The outdoor visitation will be held in Lila Doyle’s courtyard and is subject to cancellation due to inclement weather and other issues, including if a resident or staff tests positive for COVID-19.

Both residents and visitors will wear surgical masks during the visit, with visitors also asked to wear masks to and from vehicles. Social distancing of at least six feet during visitation must be observed. Because of the risk of spreading COVID-19 or flu – and the potentially catastrophic impact this could have on this vulnerable group – visitors will be unable to make physical contact with their loved ones during visits.

“We know that socially-distanced visits will be tough for families so we want to apologize in advance. But we know that, more than anything else, families want to keep their loved ones safe,” said Cole Brown, administrator of post-acute operations for Prisma Health. “That is our goal as well, as is keeping our team members and other visitors safe. We know that this has been a challenging time for everyone and very much appreciate everyone’s patience.”

Plans are underway to provide indoor visitation opportunities once Oconee County’s per capita COVID-19 positivity rate falls under 10 percent, which is required by federal guidelines.

To schedule an outdoor visit or get more information, call visitation coordinators Regina Taylor (864/885-7678) or Catherine Rainey (864/885-7629). For additional information on the new outdoor visitation, visit PrismaHealth.org/LilaDoyle.”