Update From Administrator – October 5, 2020
October 5, 2020
Dear Families,
As always, our team and I hope this email finds you safe and healthy.
We continue testing our staff and residents at regular intervals as required by CMS, CDC and DPH. We are happy to report that we remain COVID free! We continue testing our staff and residents at regular intervals as required by CMS, CDC and DPH.
Now for the exciting news and updates – Visitation!!
Indoor Visits
As you may have read or seen in the news, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued guidance to states on indoor visits, due to the changing weather. Our latest update from the state Department of Public Health is that we are responsible to develop an indoor visitation plan and policy for our center that is thoughtful, safe, and compliant with the new state guidance. We plan to have more details to share with you ASAP, but please see some notes below on guidelines that we all must follow to ensure for everyone’s health and safety. We are as excited as you must be to hear this news and look forward to seeing you!
Nursing homes and visitors must adhere to the following conditions:
•According to the state guidance, we must limit the number of visitors per patient at one time and limit the total number of visitors in the center at a time. This will be based on the amount of physical space we have available for our designated visitation area, which will be our Crestview Dining Room located off the front lobby.
•We need to limit the duration of visits to help ensure all patients can receive visitors. Just like our outdoor visits, once we have more experience behind us, we can adjust this, if necessary.
•Cleaning and disinfecting of the designated visitation area will occur by our staff in between visits. This is another factor affecting the amount of time and numbers of visitors we can have in our center.
•Screening for anyone who enters our center – temperature and health screen questionnaire – will take place.
•We cannot allow visitors to move freely throughout our center; visitors will go directly to the designated visitation area, Crestview dining room.
•Hand hygiene must be followed and personal protection equipment (PPE) must be worn by visitors.
•Social distancing requirements remain as they do for our outside visits.
•Please contact the recreation Department will schedule your visit.
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.
Outside & “Alternative” Visits
Please know that outside and “alternative” visitations will continue. While the weather is changing, we will work to continue to do outside visits on our patio for as long as possible and window visits are still possible. The weather seems to be holding steady for now.
Remember that we do offer iPads for our residents to use for video visits, phone calls, etc. to ensure that you and your loved ones remain in contact, as best as you can during these very uncertain times.
Recreation Calendar
Attached please find a copy of the recreation calendar, a few of you have asked for a copy so that you can see what is happening in the center
Flu Consents
Attached you will also find copy of the Flu Vaccine education information as well as a consent form. If you happen to be your loved ones responsible party, and you do not have any questions, please complete the flu consent form and email back. I will pass it on to nursing. If you have questions regarding the information, please feel free to contact Nancy – DNS or Erin our new ADNS.
As a reminder, our next “Town Hall” meeting is scheduled for Tuesday October 6, 2020 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.
As always, thank you for your patience and please stay safe and healthy!
Lizbeth Carmichael
Administrator