In-person visits between residents and loved ones announced

March 26, 2021

The Jewish Association on Aging Visitation Policies

It has taken just over a year to re-open JAA’s communities to visitors. We are pleased to announce our visitation policies but commit to taking all necessary precautions in the event positive cases occur. Therefore, these   are   subject to change at any time.

The following affects Weinberg Terrace, Weinberg Village, and Ahava Memory Care Residence.

“Fully Vaccinated” is defined as a person who is ≥ 2 weeks following receipt of the second does in a two-dose series, or ≥ 2 weeks following receipt of one dose of a single-dose vaccine, per the CDC.    

Outdoor visits are preferred even when residents and visitors are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. 

JAA will encourage the use of outdoor spaces, whenever practical, weather and/or resident’s health status permitting.  When an outdoor visit is conducted, all appropriate infection control and prevention practices must be followed without any exceptions.

Indoor Visits:

• Indoor visits will adhere to the following rules, NO EXCEPTIONS will be made:
  • Visitor will comply with all screening protocols. Anyone not meeting approved screening criteria will not be permitted to visit.
  • All indoor visitation will occur in the designated areas outlined by the facility staff. 
  • Visitors are not permitted to walk through the corridors and to non-designated areas during the visit period.
  • Visitors must remain physically distanced from other residents and staff while in the facility.
  • Residents and visitors MUST WEAR FACE MASKS covering their noses and mouths during the entire length of the visit.  For Residents who cannot tolerate a face mask, a FACE SHIELD must be worn at all times during the visit.
    • Visitors will be provided with surgical face masks upon arrival and will be asked to replace their personal masks with the masks provided.
  • Hand Sanitizer will be provided to both parties before entering the designated visitation area.
  • No food or drink is permitted in the visitation area.
  • Residents and visitors are to practice social distancing (six feet distance) at ALL times.
  • Recognizing the toll that separation has had on residents within the facility, fully vaccinated residents may choose to have close contact (including touch) with their visitors who must be wearing a “well-fitting face mask” and performing hand hygiene before and after the visit.

• Indoor visits will be limited to the resident and two visitors at a time. If residents meet as a couple, two visitors will be permitted.
• No more than two children will be permitted to attend the visit accompanied by an adult. Children over three years old must be able to wear a mask provided by the visitor, and must be able to adhere to the guidelines set forth for visitation including social distancing and food and drink restrictions.
• Since children are unable to sign in to the kiosk when entering, a front desk staff member will be responsible for obtaining the child’s temperature prior to visitation. A child with a temperature above 100.0 will not be permitted to enter the facility.
• No gifts or packages can be directly exchanged between the visitors and the resident. These items must be given to a staff person who will sanitize and return them to the resident.

Outdoor Visits:

• Weather permitting, visits may be scheduled and accommodated outside of the facility in designated areas.
• Outdoor visitation will adhere to the following rules, NO EXCEPTIONS will be made:
  • Residents and visitors MUST WEAR FACE MASKS covering their nose and mouth during the entire length of the visit  For residents who cannot tolerate a face mask, a FACE SHIELD must be worn at all times during the visit. 
    • Visitors will be provided with surgical face masks upon arrival and will be asked to replace their personal masks with the masks provided.
  • Visitors are to remain in their car until they are notified that the visit is ready to begin.
  • The temperature of the visitor will be taken. Any visitor with a temperature above 99.6 degrees will not be permitted to visit
  • Food and drink is permitted during outdoor visits in compliance with the following guidelines:
    • Residents and visitors remain a minimum of six feet apart while eating or drinking
    • Face masks may be removed only while actively eating or drinking. Face masks MUST remain on at all other times.
    • Both resident and visitor must sanitize hands prior to and following any eating or drinking.
    • Drinks, food, utensils, and dishes may not be shared between residents and visitors
    • The meal must be concluded by the end of the scheduled visit.
  • Resident and visitors are to practice social distancing (six-foot distance) at ALL times
  • Recognizing the toll that separation has had on residents within the facility, fully vaccinated residents may choose to have close contact (including touch) with their visitors who must be wearing a “well-fitting face mask.” Both residents and visitors must perform  hand hygiene before and after the visit
  • One pet is permitted for outdoor visits. Pets may not enter the building at any point during the visit.

Compassionate Care Visits

Compassionate Care requests will be managed on a case-by-case basis.  The need for these types of visits will be evaluated by the facility staff in consultation with the resident, family and/or support system.

Indoor Visit times and locations by facility:

Weinberg Terrace: Mon – Fri, 10 AM – 4 PM in the Private Dining Room on the first floor. Based on availability, visits must be scheduled through Liz Tierno by emailing etierno@jaapgh.org. Please allow two days advanced notice.  Visits will be 30 minutes each and will be on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Weinberg Village: Mon – Fri, 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM in the Library on the first floor. Based on availability, visits must be scheduled through Sandra Dojcak by emailing sdojcak@jaapgh.org. Visits should be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance. Visits will be 30 minutes each and will be on a first-come, first-served basis.  Emails and phone numbers are provided to families/friends for use when scheduling visits.

Ahava Memory Care: Mon, Wed, Sun. in the Vestibule Area near the main entrance doors of Ahava. Based on availability, visits must be scheduled through Suzanne Kline by emailing skline@jaapgh.org. Please allow two days advance notice.  Visits will be 30 minutes each and will be on a first-come, first-served basis based.

Outdoor Visit times and locations by facility:

Weinberg Terrace: Mon – Fri, 10 AM – 4 PM. Weather permitting, the designated area will be the Patio outside of the Dining Room on the ground level.

Weinberg Village:  Mon – Fri, 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM. Weather permitting, the designated area will be in the side Vestibule of Weinberg Village as well as in the Courtyard.

Ahava Memory Care: Mon, Wed, Sat..Weather permitting, the designated area will be in the Large Courtyard. An employee will bring the visitors in through the rear Courtyard gate.  Window visits will also continue without change.

Policies subject to change at any time; this document is dated March 26, 2021 updated Apr 13, 2021