Update from Administrator – March 10, 2021
March 10, 2021
Dear Families and friends of Valerie Manor,
It looks like we will see an early burst of spring this week! Our goal is to get everyone some fresh air and sunshine!
Our current COVID status is zero (0) new positive residents, one (1) asymptomatic positive recovering resident from end of February, and zero (0) positive staff members via PCR through our testing partners at Griffin Health.
As you well know, this week marks one year that every nursing home in our state was required to impose visitor restrictions to do our part to combat the COVID pandemic. We can’t express enough how much we appreciate your patience and understanding during this very long journey we have taken together.
This week also commemorates one year since our team began their journey as “healthcare heroes” in the battle against COVID; doing their part to keep our residents as safe and healthy as possible, all while showing compassion and doing their best to meet not only their physical care, but their emotional needs as well. Please join me in thanking them and recognizing them again for what they did not only during the toughest parts of the pandemic, but what they do day in and day out.
Visitation
Our state continues to see a dramatic drop in COVID cases as the vaccine does its job and people in our local community do their part. Litchfield County Infection rate is currently 2.3%. Until the state and federal nursing home guidelines are revised, we continue to take all necessary precautions, including wearing personal protective equipment and conducting weekly testing of our staff and residents, to ensure their safety.
Our current visitation status has been on hold until there is no positivity in the building for 14-28 days per DPH guidelines. That being said, there is the potential to REOPEN TO IN-PERSON VISITS as early as 3/13 pending the results of our last covid testing results. If we remain negative this week, we will reopen to by-appointment visitation if positivity in the building remains zero…
Remember we always offer visitations using our technology (iPads, tablets, calls, etc.) and when we can, window visits and outside visits. This is a great week for window visits!
Visitation Guidelines when Zero Positivity in the Facility:
We want to provide some clarification about our visitation policy, based on requirements set by our state’s DPH, the federal CMS, and CDC. These guidelines are in place to ensure that everyone has the opportunity for visits while minimizing exposure risk under the strict state and federal guidelines we must adhere to.
- Call our main phone number (reception desk), Recreation, or email us at recreation@valeriemanorhcc.com to set up appointment.
- Recommended visiting times are 10am-5pm daily, and timeslots are by appointment and spacing is limited so please plan ahead.
- Residents may have up to 2 visitors at a time, and one to two visits per week per resident.
- Visits will be 30 minutes long. This allows time in between visits to properly clean the visitor’s area per DPH guidelines… Please be mindful of your appointment time as to not take away from other visitor time slots.
- Please, do not bring food or beverages to the visit, as masks must remain on at all times.
- Come to the building with mask on that covers your nose and mouth.
- When you arrive, please sanitize hands, fill out COVID exposure questionnaire, and sign the document acknowledging that you will follow the visiting guidelines.
- The receptionist will take your temperature. Per DPH guidelines, failure to screen and or pass the screening will result in non-admittance into the facility and cancelation of your scheduled visit.
- Once complete, exit the main lobby and report to the outside entrance area designated by Recreation, and a representative will grant you access. Please note access to the resident care areas are still prohibited at this time. Visits will be held in Pineview and or Meadowview Common visitor area. Please adhere to all guidance and signage in the area.
- You must wear a facemask that fully covers your nose and mouth, and it must remain in place throughout the entire visit; you must sanitize your hands prior to the start of your visit (Station provided).
- Please maintain social distancing during the visit and per DPH guidelines no physical contact is aloud at this time.
- A staff member will be on hand to answer questions, assist during the visit, and sanitize in between visits.
Thank you and please stay safe and healthy!
Craig Dumont, LNHA