Update from Administrator – April 16, 2021
April 15, 2021
Dear Families,
We hope this email finds you healthy and as optimistic as we are about the continuing decline in COVID cases in our surrounding community. Considering these encouraging numbers, we will begin to take a slightly different approach with these frequent email updates to you, focusing more on recreation activities taking place in our center, special events, and significant changes taking place.
Vaccination Update
Although not mandatory, we continue to encourage any employee who has not been vaccinated to obtain one. Currently, they may obtain the vaccine at local CVS and Walgreen pharmacies. We are also working with the Rhode Island Department of Health and MedTech Ambulance to do “catch-up” clinics to assist our team and new residents in obtaining the vaccine right here in our center. On April 16th Med Tech will be here administering the vaccine to four new residents. The vaccine is Moderna, a two-dose vaccine.
Visitation
- No significant changes to our center or our visitation plans, which are based on our state’s guidance from the CDC and CMS recommendations.
- We always offer visitations using our technology (iPads, tablets, calls, etc.) and when we can, window visits and outside visits. If you do not have an appointment scheduled, please contact the receptionist desk to schedule an appointment for an outdoor visit, window visit or virtual visit.
- Outdoor visitation is not affected by an internal outbreak on a unit, while we await the results of the initial round of testing.
- Outdoor visitation is still the recommended form of visitation from CMS and the CDC.
- When an outbreak is detected among residents or staff, all visitations must be suspended except for compassionate care visits, until at least one round of facility wide testing is completed.
Recreation
- We are delighted to restart small, socially distanced group activities. Events such as horse racing, bingo, bowling and arts and crafts. These groups typically have a maximum of five residents participating.
- Outdoor activities are always encouraged and preferred by the CDC and CMS; however indoor events are once again taking place following the outbreak guidance.
- Our weekend manager on duty (MOD) is responsible for transporting residents to and from the lobby area and monitoring the visit to ensure PPE and social distancing guidelines are followed.
- Reminder, all visits must be scheduled in advance. No unscheduled visits will be permitted.
- Residents and visitors cannot eat food during the visit as masks must be always worn.
- A reminder to everyone that we do have various tablet devices for your loved one to utilize to access games, various communication tools, games, news, and more. We have done some tutoring and training of the tablets so that residents are more comfortable with them.
Dining
We are once again welcoming our residents back into a social dining atmosphere following all guidance set forth by the CDC and CMS. This means our main dining room is open again for lunch. Residents who participate in this dining experience eat their meals independently without cuing or assistance.
Thank you and, as always, please stay safe and healthy!
Sincerely, Steve Haase