Update from Administrator – November 13, 2020
November 13, 2020
Dear Families,
As always, our team and I hope this email finds you safe and healthy.
We have no positive residents or new positive staff. We will continue testing and reporting at regular intervals as required by CMS, CDC and RIDOH.
Last week, nursing homes and assisted livings in Rhode Island reported staff and/or new resident cases of COVID-19 in their centers. We continue to follow guidance and protocols set by RIDOH. Although so much more is known about COVID-19 and its spread, it remains a very difficult challenge for our state and region to control.
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.
Since November 3, “Visitation Level 3” has been in effect to curb the spread of COVID in nursing homes. Below are more details on the Governor’s orders, but essentially, we are back to only compassionate care and end of life circumstance visits with your loved ones.
Visitation Level 3: No visitation unless required under federal guidance, or in certain other circumstances.
- Visitation is suspended unless required under federal guidance; or in certain other limited clinical circumstances, including compassionate care.
- Compassionate Care visits are allowed only under certain circumstances according to the core principles of COVID-19 infection prevention, the facility visitation plan, and federal guidance. Even under these circumstances, anyone who meets the conditions listed above is prohibited from visiting, in addition to those who are younger than 18.
Please contact us if you have any questions about this new state directive. Updates will be posted soon.
Indoor, End Stage of Life Care and Compassionate Care Visits
Should a new case of COVID be identified in the center, all inside visits, except end stage of life, will be temporarily put on hold.
“Alternative” Visits
Please know that “alternative” visitations will continue. 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.
As always, thank you for your patience and please stay safe and healthy!
Thank you and please stay safe and healthy!
Thank you,
Nicholas Lutzel
Administrator