Dear Residents, Families and Employees:
As another week draws to a close, we want to inform you that we continue to see some cases of COVID-19 in the health center. At the present time we have three (3) residents that we are treating for COVID-19, two admitted from the hospital as COVID-19 positive. We currently have eight (8) pending tests, three (3) of those eight (8) are exhibiting symptoms and three (3) are the roommates of residents with symptoms; the other two (2) pending tests are new admissions to the community. Employees out of work at this time are six (6); three (3) are COVID-19 positive and recovering, and three (3) are in self-isolation pending test results.
You will note the change in our report, as we are now required to report specific numbers to residents and families. Above all else, we do not want to lose sight of the fact that these are residents and staff that we care for and care about. They are your family members, friends, caregivers and co-workers, and not just statistics. It is very personal and we want everyone to recover as quickly and easily as possible, and to be well.
Unfortunately, we have no updates for re-opening southeastern Pennsylvania, much less our community. We are all very anxious, however, to see the reunions when they do occur. We have shared with you that we have been discussing what re-opening would look like, and want to prepare for next steps of that discussion to include selected residents and family members. If you think you would like to participate in “distance” conversations via Zoom, please let us know. The idea is not to have a resident and their family member, however. We envision some residents and some family members who are not related to ensure different perspectives. There would also be two groups; one group for the health center and personal care, the other group would represent the independent living residents. Please understand the purpose of these groups would be for gathering ideas and discussion. If you have a different idea on how to provide us with direct input, please share that with us – we’d be very interested in your ideas. We cannot guarantee that all ideas will be incorporated in the final plan.
It is National Nursing Home Week and our activities staff has been busy serving up popcorn and peanuts, water ice, soft pretzels, a cookout in the courtyard and today will be root beer floats. Our usual group events have not been able to take place, but we celebrated with residents and staff in other ways. On the health center today we will be celebrating the 103rd birthday of one of our ladies – a distance birthday party!
Our wonderful staff is taking care of your loved ones, doing everything within their power to keep spirits up, Chaplain is visiting everyone and providing weekly spiritual readings, and all are enjoying a laugh with our residents.
Please do not hesitate to contact us with your questions or concerns. Be safe and well.
