Dear Residents, Families and Employees: 

Just in time for Thanksgiving and other holiday celebrations, CMS issued a revised memo that contains significant changes to nursing home operations. Visitation changes eliminate many restrictions on visitation. Visitation is now permitted at any time for all Residents, regardless of vaccination status, nursing home outbreak status, or implementation of transmission-based precautions. Large gatherings continue to be discouraged, and all must continue to adhere to core infection control principles. This includes masking and social distancing, which is recommended/required. If a Resident’s roommate is unvaccinated or immunocompromised (regardless of vaccination status), visits should not be conducted in the Resident’s room, if possible. For situations where there is a roommate and the health status of the Resident prevents leaving the room, we will attempt to enable in-room visitation while adhering to the core principles of infection prevention. I have attached details and explanations.

I will not be sending a letter next week; have a happy and blessed Thanksgiving.

With gratitude,

Ken Beiler

Executive Director, Wesley Enhanced Living at Stapeley

COVID-19 EDUCATIONAL QUICK SHEET

COVID-19 affects different people in different ways. Most infected people will develop mild to moderate illness and recover without hospitalization. The CDC does not list different symptoms for the Delta variant or others.

Most common symptoms include:

• Fever
• Dry cough
• Tiredness

Less common symptoms:

• Aches and pains
• Sore throat
• Diarrhea
• Conjunctivitis
• Headache
• Loss of taste or smell
• A rash on skin, or discoloration of fingers or toes

Serious symptoms:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Chest pain or pressure
• Loss of speech of movement

Seek immediate medical attention if you have serious symptoms. Always call before visiting your doctor or health facility.

On average it takes 5–6 days from when someone is infected with the virus for symptoms to show, however it can take up to 14 days.

VISITING IN THE HEALTH CENTER

Visitors are allowed indoor visitation at all times, as permitted under regulations, without registering/scheduling a visit in advance, without limited length of visits and without limited number of visitors.

Visitors who are not fully vaccinated are encouraged to visit outdoors, if the resident’s medical condition health status allows for outdoor visits and weather permitted.  Outdoor visits generally pose a lower risk of transmission due to increased space and airflow. 

Visits may be conducted in residents’ rooms, with the following exceptions:

• If one resident is not fully vaccinated and the other resident is fully vaccinated, visits may not take place in the room.
• If one resident is immunocompromised, regardless of the vaccination status.

Core principles of COVID-19 infection prevention must be adhered to at all times.  Visitors who are unable to adhere to the core principles of COVID-19 infection prevent will be asked to leave; and or, they will not be permitted to visit.

Core Principles of COVID-19 Infection Prevention:

• Visitors who have a positive viral test for COVID-19, symptoms of COVID-19, or current meet the criteria for quarantine should not enter the facility.  All visitors who enter will be screened to determine visitation exclusions.
• Hand hygiene (use of ABHR [alcohol basked hand rub] is preferred).
• Face covering or mask (covering mouth and nose) and physical distancing at least six feet between people, in accordance with CDC guidance.
• Instructional signal throughout the facility and proper visitor education on COVID-19 signs and symptoms, infection control precautions, other applicable facility practices:
  • Entrance and exit through main entrance only
  • Hand hygiene and screening at entrance
  • Visiting in designated areas only
  • Do not enter other residents’ rooms; limit visits to your loved one only
• Cleaning and disinfecting high-frequency touched surface in the facility often, and designated visitation areas after each visit.
• Appropriate staff use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Effective cohorting of residents (e.g. separate areas dedicated to COVID-19 care)
• Resident and staff testing conducted as required by regulation.

COVID-19 Outbreak Investigation:

• It is safer for visitors not to enter the facility during an outbreak investigation; CMS has stated visitors must still be allowed in the facility.
• Visitors should be made aware of the potential risk of visiting during an outbreak investigation.
• During an outbreak investigation, visits will take place in resident’s rooms only with no common area visits, regardless of the vaccination status.

Vaccinations:

• CMS strongly encourages all visitors to become vaccinated.
• The facility strongly encourages all visitors to become vaccinated.
• This facility will assist you in setting up an appointment for a vaccination through Friendship Pharmacy, if you require assistance.
• Friendship Pharmacy contact information:  215.624.0440