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Update from Administrator – December 14, 2020

Update from Administrator – December 14, 2020

December 14, 2020

Dear Families,

As always, our team and I hope this email finds you safe and healthy. We have two very important updates to share with you today:

Vaccine Update

As you may have seen in the news, some exciting updates have taken place regarding the COVID-19 vaccine. Our pharmacy providers are working to schedule several dates to visit our center to hold “vaccine clinics” to administer the vaccine. To plan for this, we need consents from families to administer the vaccine to their loved ones. The consent process is similar to that of the yearly flu vaccine that we strongly recommend everyone receive.

Within the next day or two, we will have the consent forms out to you to fill-out and return. Unlike the flu vaccine which we order, administer, and maintain for a period of time in the center, the COVID-19 vaccine will be administered on a specific date(s) and only that date(s).

If we do not have the signed consent form in advance, they may not administer the vaccine. Therefore, it is imperative that we receive the consent back ASAP in order to include your loved one in the order.

Given the nature of the pandemic thus far, we strongly recommend everyone participate. Below are a few links to websites with additional information on the vaccine that may answer your questions.

 

Visitation Update

Governor Baker recently rolled back many restrictions within the Commonwealth due to the increase in community spread. With that in mind, nursing home visitation has been impacted to meet the below guidelines:

  • Once a center has a Staff member or Resident test positive for COVID-19, our entire center is required to place a pause on INDOOR visitation for a 14 day period.
    • This means ONLY outdoor or Alternative visits are permitted.
    • NO indoor visits are allowed until the 14-Day Quarantine is up.
  • Any time a positive test is determined, the 14-Day Quarantine will begin again.
  • This also affects activities and the use of our dining room. During an “outbreak,” no communal dining and activities may take place.
  • Hospice, end of life, and compassionate care visits are except from these guidelines.

Our current situation is:       100% Negative

Indoor Visits

As a reminder, our indoor visitation policy and procedures follow state and federal requirements. Based on that, nursing homes and visitors must adhere to many conditions that we listed in previous emails. Some are listed below:

  • 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 is our living room.
  • Screening for anyone who enters our center – temperature and health screen questionnaire – will take place by a member of our team.
  • We cannot allow visitors to move freely throughout our center; visitors will go directly to the designated visitation area, living room
  • Hand hygiene must be followed and personal protection equipment (PPE) must be worn by visitors.

 

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.

We are reminding our staff to not only practice safeguards against COVID in our center, but to be vigilant outside of our center and share these practices with their friends and loved ones. We still ask you to do your part while in your community and PLEASE wear your mask, wash your hands, and watch your distance. And please promote these very simple precautions with your extended family and friends.

 

 

Activities

  • Due to the pandemic our yearly Family and friends Christmas party will not happen, however, our residents and staff will have a Christmas meal, presents from Santa Clause, and celebrating in-doors to lift the spirits of our residents and staff.
  • We are still open to donations of any kind.
  • Carolers from Big Smile Entertainment will carol around the facility for residents to join in to sing some good old Christmas songs.
  • We usher in the New Year with our New Year Count down celebration with an indoor parade for our residents from the staff.

From the Residents, Staff and Management of Northwood we say;

“Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Let your heart be light
from now on
our troubles will be out of sight”….

 

As always, thank you for your patience and please stay safe and healthy!

December 14, 2020 A Healthier Approach To Caring