Update From Administrator – September 24, 2020
September 24, 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!
I want to reiterate that this pandemic is still active and while we remain COVID-free, our state continues to report new cases of COVID and as we see in the news, some states continue to surge with new cases. This serves as a reminder that we must all remain vigilant in following all guidelines, recommendations, and best practices to stay safe and fight this pandemic.
Updates on visitation:
- While we continue to allow in person, socially distanced outside visits, weather permitting, we are pleased to announce that beginning Monday, September 28th, 2020 we have now added indoor visits as another option to visit with your loved one, in a designated area of the center. There are a few guidelines that we must follow to be in compliance with state guidelines.
- In addition to the current guidelines for exterior visits, temperatures will still be checked; medical grade masks MUST always be worn, if you arrive with a cloth mask or other face covering you will be asked to change to a disposable surgical mask. Family members who are sick should refrain from visiting their loved one.
- Residents on quarantine will not be able to visit with their loved one until their 14-day quarantine ends. However, window visits are permitted.
- Resident visits will occur in the main dining room just off the lobby. No visitors will be permitted to enter resident care areas at any time for any reason. Compassionate care/ end of life visits may be permitted and will be addressed on an individual basis.
- Staff will clean in between visits to ensure the safety of residents, family members, and our staff.
- Visits are permitted for two family members, per resident for a period of 30 minutes.
- Visits can be scheduled a week in advance, please contact Lynn Tozier via telephone 508-778-1835. The visitation schedule may vary day to day based on the needs of the facility for space.
- Physical contact during visits: Visitors must remain 6 feet from resident during visit. Brief physical contact MAY be allowed. To reduce the risk of transmission, individuals must use alcohol-based hand sanitizers before and after contact. You may hug with faces in opposite direction and limit duration of close contact to avoid transmission.
- If you develop signs and symptoms of COVID 19 after a visit, please notify us as soon as possible.
- Please understand that if at any time the facility experiences a positive case of COVID-19 whether resident or staff, indoor visitation will be discontinued based on DPH guidelines.
- We will continue with our “virtual” visits i.e. Skype, FaceTime, Zoom, Google Duo, and telephone, as we have since the pandemic began.
A few other points:
- 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. While the vaccine is not in the center yet, please consider completing a consent form, in advance to ensure you loved one receives their vaccine.
- We have received the “Point of Care Testing Device” from the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that is designed to enable us to conduct COVID-19 Antigen testing within our center, providing rapid results. We are working on getting our clinicians certified in the use of this device and will communicate with you once we begin using it.
- Food is now allowed to be dropped off by families for their loved one’s enjoyment. Our receptionist will meet the individual delivering the food at the front entrance and will have it delivered to the resident by our staff.
- Our Beauty Salon is open for all salon services under strict guidelines to unsure safety.
- Each nursing unit has tablets / iPads assigned for resident use such as virtual visits, games, telemedicine visits, etc. Many of our residents are enjoying learning how to use this technology and having the world at their fingertips.
- We have “fresh air” time where residents can get some much-needed sunshine.
- Our outdoor social distancing activities programming continues to expand and evolve.
- Every weekday, our resident care team and I round 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!
- Reminder that the facility Ombudsman is available on Wednesdays beginning at 12:30p for residents and families if needed.
Thank you and please stay safe and healthy!
Edie
Edith Mahoney PT LNHA
Administrator