Update from Administrator – September 17, 2020
September 17, 2020
Dear Families,
Thank You for all your continued support during this difficult time. We are doing our best to keep our residents safe and happy. As you know, we had a resident that was tested positive in the hospital on Saturday with a rapid test. The hospital also performed a PCR test which takes longer to get the results, but are more accurate, and that came back negative. At this point, all of our employees and residents have continued to test negative. 😊
A few quick points:
•As you may have heard on the news, nursing homes will begin receiving “Rapid” COVID testing machines from the federal government over the coming weeks. We have received ours, will conduct training on it and it will be used on residents and staff who show symptoms. We look forward to putting it to use! More information will follow on this as it becomes available.
•Although we are following social distance guidelines, handwashing protocols, hygiene recommendations, and wearing masks in our center – it is still STRONGLY encouraged that all staff and residents receive an annual Influenza Vaccine. We have the vaccine here and will let you know when we will start giving it. Please consider completing a consent form, in advance to ensure your loved one receives their vaccine.
•Our hairdresser comes weekly on Thursdays to cut our resident’s hair on the Patio. We are very happy to see their new look. This will continue for as long as the weather and our COVID status cooperate.
We are working to develop a new visitation plan and policy for our center that is thoughtful, safe, and compliant with the new guidance. We will be in touch with you as soon as we have finalized the plan. In the meantime, our current visitation policy remains in place and all scheduled visits will go on as planned, without interruption.
We would also like to clarify that the new guidance did specifically add what is called a “compassionate care visit.”
These compassionate care visits are limited to two circumstances: end stage of life and a significant change of condition. It is only these specific compassionate care visits that can occur inside of the center. No other indoor visits will be allowed by DPH at this time. Should a new case of COVID be identified in the center, all inside visits, except end stage of life, will be temporarily put on hold.
As a reminder, our next “Town Hall” meeting is scheduled for Friday, September 18, 2020 at 1PM.
Thank you and please stay safe and healthy!
Jane DeVries
Administrator