Update from Administrator – January 22, 2021
January 22, 2021
Dear Families,
As always, our team and I hope this email finds you safe and healthy as we begin the New Year.
Vaccine Update
The COVID-19 vaccine was administered at our center to staff and residents on 12/30/2020 and on 1/20/2021 to residents and staff.
The vaccine was delivered and administered by pharmacists from CVS.
We encouraged as many residents as possible to get this vaccine. As we have learned, the elderly and those with significant health concerns have a much higher risk for getting very sick, being hospitalized, or succumbing from COVID-19. The vaccine has been shown to provide a great deal of protection against serious illness due to COVID-19. The more residents that get vaccinated, the better we can protect our community against potential outbreaks and save lives.
This vaccine has gone through testing and clinical trials to ensure it meets the highest safety standards. It also is safe to get if you already had the virus. The health and safety of our residents is always our top priority, and we are confident this vaccine is a much better option than the risk of getting this virus. If you have any questions, please read the attached (or linked) EUA fact sheet and contact administrator@sheridenwoodshcc.com, with any questions.
We will continue to take all necessary precautions after the vaccine is administered, including wearing personal protective equipment and conducting regular testing, to ensure the safety of our residents and staff. We will also continue to follow the guidance and recommendations of our public health officials to determine how and when to adjust our policies for visitations and social activities and keep you updated.
There is a light at the end of the tunnel. We are hopeful that the vaccine will be a lifesaving turning point in the fight against COVID-19. We look forward to getting back to a “new normal,” with families and friends again visiting our center on a regular basis.
You may also visit several websites listed below to learn more about the vaccine.
AMDA: FAQs about the COVID-19 Vaccine for PALTC Staff, Patients, Residents and Family Members http://paltc.org/sites/default/files/QA%20about%20the%20COVID-19%20Vaccine%20for%20PALTC%20Patients%20Family%20Member%20and%20Staff%20_%2012_1_20%20FINAL.pdf
CDC: About COVID-19 vaccines. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/about-vaccines.html
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/covid-conversations/answering-questions.html
CDC: Understanding the Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program and Frequently Asked Questions. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/long-term-care/pharmacy-partnerships.html
Indoor Visits Temporarily on hold as we have a COVID+ staff as of January 18, 2021. She has not been in the building since 1/15/21when she was exposed and self-quarantined.
Indoor, End Stage of Life Care Visits
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.
All non-essential indoor compassionate visits are on hold, for anyone who is not true immediate end of life, or if the resident has undergone a significant change of conditions.
Some updates
- Food can be dropped off by families for their loved one’s enjoyment and take out delivery has also been authorized. Please coordinate delivery with us.
- Each nursing unit has tablets assigned for resident use such as virtual visits, games, etc. and many of our residents are enjoying learning how to use this technology and having the world at their fingertips.
- Every weekday, I and my administrative team round on a different nursing unit and meet with our residents to let them know we’re here for them and give them an opportunity to voice any questions or concerns they may have directly to us. We also use this time during rounds to assess our residents, our environment, and ask our residents specific questions such as satisfaction with meals, preferences, activities being provided, interaction and response from staff, proper operation of all equipment in room and more.
As a reminder, our next “Town Hall” meeting is scheduled for Tuesday January 26, 2021 at 5:00pm and we will discuss more detailed information during this time. We encourage any residents and family members to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have about the care we are offering. Our commitment is to be as transparent as possible and work to address any issues that arise.
Janet Shahen
Administrator