Resident, Family, and Staff COVID-19 (Coronavirus): Update 3/23/20
These are unprecedented times, requiring unprecedented measures. Arbors wants to provide you with the most current information regarding the situation and the important and proactive steps we are implementing to keep our community safe.
At this time, we remain free of suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 on our campus. However, due to the increasing spread of the virus into our town, we must remain vigilant in our efforts to remain virus-free.
The safety and support of our residents remains our primary focus during these uncertain times. As the situation with COVID-19 worsens and understanding that seniors are more detrimentally impacted by this virus, we feel it’s important that we are extremely proactive in implementing restrictive measures to protect staff and residents.
SOCIAL DISTANCING TO STOP THE SPREAD OF VIRUS
During early stages of sickness, people show no symptoms yet are contagious and spread the virus. Again, persons are unknowingly spreading the virus by talking/spluttering/expelling saliva when interacting with others, unaware that they are spreading it. Personal contact (closer than 6 feet) is the most likely way to become infected. For that reason, we strongly recommend that residents remain on campus and avoid contact with others. We also strongly recommend that residents do not leave their apartment and avoid any gathering inside or outside of Arbors. This includes grocery stores, hallways, places of worship, retailers, parties, family gatherings etc. At this time it is extremely important that we self-quarantine and contain.
We encourage residents to enjoy the outdoors. The back walkways remain closed due to construction. Please maintain the 6 feet of social distancing when outside.
VISTOR RESTRICTIONS
No visitors are permitted except for those related to vital health care, safety, or end of life care.
The State of Connecticut Department of Public Health has restricted visitors from entering Manchester Manor. The only visitors allowed at the Manor Center are for residents who are on end-of-life care.
EMPLOYEES/ONSITE PERSONS
Every person entering the building is being screened daily and required to complete a health-check screening including a temperature scan.
Any staff member who has respiratory symptoms must stay home until cleared by their physician.
DINING
Following more local cases of COVID-19 and the widespread state shutdown of restaurants to discourage group gatherings, we have enacted the same protocol and will be discontinuing service in the dining room for meals as of Wednesday, March 25th. Meals will be delivered to apartments on disposable plates with a disposable tray. Meal service will shift to an afternoon service for our main meal. Breakfast and light dinner trays will be available (like Sunday service).
ACTIVITIES, EVENTS AND MEETINGS
All resident group activities, events and meetings have been cancelled at this time.
The shared communal newspapers will be discontinued at this time.
COMMON SPACE
All common space will be closed. Chairs will be removed/reduced as feasible.
Due to the high volume of staff, deliveries, and health care workers coming in to the lobby, this space is a high risk area and should be avoided.
REMAIN IN YOUR APARTMENT IF YOU HAVE SYMPTOMS of fever, cough or shortness of breath. Please call the front desk to report your symptoms.
DELIVERIES AND SUPPLIES
Resident-related deliveries (i.e. newspapers, groceries, Amazon, liquor, medication etc) will be received at the front desk and will be delivered to resident apartments by staff.
SALON
Per order of the State of Connecticut licensing department, we are required to close the hair salon. If you need hairwashing provided through an aide caregiver, arrangements can be made through nursing for care support.
DROP-OFFS
Packages being dropped off for residents by family can be arranged by calling the front desk at 860-533-2517.
CLEANING & DISINFECTING
Our housekeeping staff are working long and hard to clean high-touch surfaces with an effective virus-killing cleaner. We also continue to educate our residents and staff on respiratory etiquette and good hand hygiene.
TRANSPORTATION
Transportation services have been canceled with the exception of necessary medical appointments that will continue as scheduled.
TOGETHER WE CAN DO SO MUCH
Driving everything we do, there are three clear purposes:
- Minimize any potential exposure to residents
- Be as prepared as possible to provide the best service and support for our residents in any circumstance
- Put each of you in the best position to both do your job and minimize risk to your own health and wellbeing
Stay tuned for creative ways and ideas to maintain contact with family and persons outside of Arbors. If there is any bright side to this pandemic it is this: we will all learn new ways and discover new tools to help us through this “new normal”.
We are in this together. This is an evolving process as the world learns more about this illness and how it can be studied, contained, addressed, and resolved. We appreciate your understanding. As this public health concern emerges, our staff and leadership remain focused on providing the greatest amount of certainty and safety we can offer. We are thankful for the words of encouragement and support from families and residents.
Sincerely,
Chanté Drasdis