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COVID-19 UPDATES FROM
MATTERS OF SENIOR LIVING
A message from MOSL Owner & Operator Roslyn Williams:
COVID-19 Response to Residents, Families, and Community Partners Update
Posted April 22, 2020
Dear Residents and Family Members,
The coronavirus has certainly changed the way we go about our daily lives and continues to be at the forefront of many of the decisions we make. During the pandemic, it is truly heartwarming watching how medical professionals are being recognized as real-life superheroes caring for individuals and battling the virus on the frontlines in hospitals and health care centers across our country. There are many recovery stories, for which we are grateful.
We understand that the current situation creates concern and anxiety, that is why It is important for you to know that we continue to operate fluidly and in accordance with the most recent guidance provided by the CDC and federal, state, and local regulatory authorities. We will not waiver on our commitment that our number one priority is the safety of our residents and staff.
As a recommendation to physically distance ourselves continues, we understand how important it is for residents to remain engaged, active, and hopeful. We have made this a focus within the facility. Our programs will continue, as much as feasibly possible, even despite this pandemic. We will continue to provide including yoga, music, entertainment, outdoor exercise, and social interactions through virtual settings.
Our staff will continue to show that they are frontline heroes by working to limit the spread of coronavirus within our facility. We currently have an adequate supply of personal protective equipment and will work hard in mitigating the virus from affecting our facility. We will stay nimble with implementing new protocols and enhanced protective measures across the board.
In life, most of us think we cannot make drastic changes in our lives, whether because of social conditioning or others’ opinions, but we are capable of more than we are often aware of. We can make changes where we need to; we should never hesitate to rewrite the story. We have the choice as to how we will react to challenging situations in life. Let us choose to learn from the lesson and grow from it, to keep going even when it seems hard because we are better for it on the other side.
We appreciate your feedback, strength, and trust during this unprecedented time. Together, we will continue to fight this virus and remain strong! Side by side.
Sincerely,
Roslyn Williams
Owner/Operator
Matters Of Senior Living Inc.
623-777-9983
FOCUSED ACTIONS WE'RE
TAKING AT THIS TIME
ALL INFORMATION IS TAKEN FROM THE CENTER OF DISEASE CONTROL WEBSITE. CDC.GOV
Background
Given their congregate nature and resident population served (e.g., older adults often with underlying chronic medical conditions), nursing home populations are at the highest risk of being affected by COVID-19. If infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, residents are at increased risk of serious illness.
Visitors and HCP continue to be sources of introduction of COVID-19 into nursing homes. To protect the vulnerable nursing home population, aggressive efforts toward visitor restrictions and implementing sick leave policies for ill HCP, and actively checking every person entering a facility for fever and symptoms of illness continue to be recommended.
Recent experience with outbreaks in nursing homes has also reinforced that residents with COVID-19 may not report typical symptoms such as fever or respiratory symptoms; some may not report any symptoms. Unrecognized asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic infections likely contribute to transmission in these settings
Older adults with COVID-19 may not show typical symptoms such as fever or respiratory symptoms. Atypical symptoms may include new or worsening malaise, new dizziness, or diarrhea. Identification of these symptoms should prompt isolation and further evaluation for COVID-19.
CDC COVID-19 Screening Checklist:
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Coughing
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Shortness of breath/obvious upper respiratory distress
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Fever, sweating, chills
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Headache/muscle pain
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Weakness, vomiting, nausea/diarrhea
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Red eyes, sore throat
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Loss of taste/smell
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Older adults with COVID-19 may not show typical symptoms such as fever or respiratory symptoms. Atypical symptoms may include new or worsening malaise, new dizziness, or diarrhea. Identification of these symptoms should prompt isolation and further evaluation for COVID-19.
Visitation Restrictions:
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We are restricting non-essential individuals, including all family members, friends, responsible parties, and nonessential vendors and volunteers from visiting our facility for the time being.
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Any essential visitors must go through the screening process, must be wearing a mask, and be cleared before entry to the community.
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Ask visitors to inform the facility if they develop fever or symptoms consistent with COVID-19 within 14 days of visiting the facility.
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The use of alternative methods for visitation (e.g., video conferencing) will be facilitated by MOSL.
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Any visitors that are permitted must wear a cloth face covering while in the building and restrict their visit to the resident’s room or other location designated by the facility. They will also be reminded to frequently perform hand hygiene.
Community Dining And Activities:
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All group activities, entertainment, pastoral services, events, and instruction have been canceled. We are doing our best to provide resources for residents to keep them engaged while also practicing social distancing
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All dining room meals must be eaten with at least 6 feet between Residents.
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Physical distancing while in common areas will be enforced.
Employee Requirements:
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All staff will undergo screenings and temperature checks to three times per shift to ensure they are not experiencing any signs of symptoms of the virus. Additionally, we are tracking other places of employment and or travel that may have included visits to domestic or international areas that are currently experiencing the COVID-19 virus.
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Any staff member with a family member or someone they live with or someone they have been in direct contact with who may have symptoms of “any” virus or has been tested positive for the virus is instructed to remain off work until cleared to return.
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All employees are required to wear Personal Protective Equipment.
Universal Precautions:
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All new and existing residents are required to be screened for COVID-19.
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All residents are now subject to a daily temperature check, twice per day. This will help stay ahead of any resident that may not be feeling well to ensure we can immediately respond to any concerns. Any residents with symptoms remain in isolation and are monitored closely to include following instructions by their Physician and the Department of Public Health.
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We have increased our disinfection and sanitizing of all surfaces.
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All residents and team members have been instructed to increase their handwashing and use of hand sanitizer throughout the day.
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Residents are asked to practice social distancing and wear face cloths when leaving rooms.
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Daily Tips are provided as reminders in all common area spaces and delivered with the daily meals to help reinforce this information.
Transportation Precautions:
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All transportation for medical runs, shopping, or other events has been canceled. For any resident in need of an essential doctor’s appointment, MOSL staff will assist the resident in making outside arrangements.
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Anyone needing an escort to an appointment will need to be escorted by a family member or other support person.
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Our staff will not be escorting residents to outside appointments at this time to ensure we are not needlessly exposing Staff and Residents to COVID-19.
Strategies
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Hand Hygiene Supplies:
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Alcohol-based hand sanitizer with 60-95% alcohol will be in every resident room (ideally both inside and outside of the room) and other resident care and common areas (e.g., kitchen, living, and dining room).
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Sinks are well-stocked with soap and paper towels for handwashing.
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Respiratory Hygiene and Cough Etiquette:
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Tissues and trash cans are available in common areas and resident rooms for respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette and source control.
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Personal Protective Equipment for Staff and Residents.