COVID-19 Update – April 2, 2020
New recommendations &/or guidance continues to come frequently from State & Federal agencies, as well as supportive recommendations from the Long Term Care industry. Your loved ones remain our focus and their well-being continues to be our top priority.
Visitation restrictions imposed by the State Department of Public Health remain in effect, including excluding vendors that provide entertainment or non-essential services. Several of you have made some great suggestions concerning entertainment/activities, and know that we are doing everything we can to make up for the unfortunate, absolute restriction against entertainment involving someone coming in from the outside, like a pet therapist. We have some talented staff members doing some singing over the intercom. Our Bunny and Parakeets are working extra shifts.
While physicians are obviously an essential part of your loved one’s care, we are planning to add additional physician coverage using Tele-Medicine services. Should your physician be unable to visit our center, this service will be available to ensure your loved one has access to a physician that can address the same issues your regular physician would take care of.
The last few weeks have been incredibly trying for our employees. Their jobs are difficult even on the very best of days, and right now, they are being asked to handle an even bigger load. Their work has not gone unrecognized. We have received notes of thanks and messages on our Facebook page from family members and others who are so grateful for their “Healthcare Heroes”. Their presence and professionalism provide great emotional support to our residents, especially at this time. We know that there remains a long period of challenge in the days ahead, but your support is so very much appreciated.
Our alternative visit program is continuing to evolve. Some of you have signed-up for Skype sessions with Amanda Haberman. Again, her email is admissionassistant@northwoodrhcc.com. She can also help coordinate phone conversations and our IPAD is set to arrive this week, so that we can set-up face time probably by early next week. Some of you continue to window visit, which is great. To set-up window visits for patients on the second floor, we are using the Dining Room and you may schedule an appointment with Amanda. Please note that these visits have to be limited to 15 minutes as we have to assign a staff member to accompany your loved one to the Dining Room area to facilitate/monitor the visit.