Frequently Asked Questions on COVID-19
Why can’t I visit?
Seniors are the most high risk during this pandemic. We are following the government’s guidance to restrict visitors at skilled nursing facilities, asking employees to stay home when ill, and are in close communication with our local health department, CDC and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to ensure we follow the latest protocols.
How can I be in touch with my loved one?
You can call, text or video chat with your loved one at any time. In addition, we have ordered iPads for all of our facilities, and our activity directors will be helping residents video chat with family and friends. We’ll be sending you photos and videos as well. Letters, cards and packages are of course much appreciated.
What if there is an emergency?
We are obligated by law to inform you of any change in your loved one’s status, but we assure you that we will be in close communication with you throughout this uncertain period even without an urgent reason.
Should I move my loved ones out of a skilled nursing facility?
No. Moving the elderly or frail is risky and often can cause other complications that have long-lasting impacts. Research around moving residents out of buildings because of natural disasters and other emergency events has proven this over time. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) does not currently recommend transferring residents either home or to the hospital.
Are you having trouble getting supplies like masks and gowns?
We have communicated with our vendors of essential supplies and equipment to ensure they have developed plans to continue to meet the needs of our residents throughout the situation as it evolves. We are working with our sister facilities and practicing conservation efforts to ensure that the needs of our residents and facilities are met.
We will reach out to the state and local health departments and area hospitals if we are unable to place orders for equipment we need. Please note, the CDC does not recommend masks for the general public at this point, so that we can prioritize this equipment for health care workers. We urge members of the public to not hoard hand sanitizer, so we can make that available to residents and staff, who need to use it regularly.
How are you ensuring that there are enough staff to care for residents?
Our state and national associations are encouraging both federal and state governments to waive current licensing requirements that would hinder care professionals from working across state lines, so we can potentially address any shortages due to employees needing to stay home.
Our state and national associations are also advocating for priority testing for our employees and residents, so we can quickly identify whether staff need to remain at home or if they can be at work.
How are you decreasing the risk of viral spread at the facilities?
We are working diligently according to CDC guidelines to reduce the risk of spreading respiratory infections through standard and enhanced infection prevention practices, such as a focus on sanitation of our facilities, hand hygiene compliance and appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
We screen all staff at the beginning of their shift for any signs of illness.
We have readily available alcohol-based hand sanitizers throughout the buildings, as well as regular and frequent internal monitoring systems of hand hygiene with regular feedback to staff.
We are closely monitoring residents for early identification of viral infections that cause upper respiratory illness, such as cold or flu.
Preventative measures include:
Early contact isolation and droplet protection for individuals with flu-like symptoms before a definitive diagnosis is made.
Use of personal protective equipment by staff.
One employee at each facility is serving as an Infection Preventionist, who is both a clinician (e.g. nurse) and has received additional training and certification in infection control.
For more information intended for healthcare and long-term care centers, updated prevention recommendations and guidance are available on the CDC’s website.