Can you solicit to residents of long-term care homes, hospitals, or hospices?

• A. Yes, if you leave a brochure.
• B. No, you may not solicit.
• C. Only if addressed to family.
• D. Yes, with consent.

Answer: (B)

Solicitation of residents in long-term care homes, hospitals, or hospices is typically prohibited to protect vulnerable patients and maintain appropriate boundaries in care settings. These facilities have policies to prevent external marketing from pressuring or unduly influencing residents who are often dealing with grief, illness, or end-of-life concerns. Because of privacy, safety, and ethical considerations, outside marketers—such as funeral service providers—generally cannot approach or solicit residents within care areas or linger in patient care zones.

The practical implication is that you should avoid direct solicitation inside these facilities. If you want to share information about your services, use channels outside the care setting or await a family or resident to reach out to you in a neutral, non-coercive context. Using brochures or outreach inside the facility typically does not fit with accepted practice, even if consent or family involvement is involved, since the facility’s policies and patient protections take precedence.