COVID-19 Update – Limited Visitation

 

Dear Family and Friends of our wonderful residents at Golden Acres,

 

My name is Rick Forscutt and I am the CEO/Executive Director of Golden Acres Living and Rehab.  As you are all aware, the country is currently united in its attempt to navigate the challenges presented by the COVID-19 virus.  We thank you for allowing us to care for your loved one.  We recognize the high level of trust that you place in us, and we are committed to providing excellent care to those whom we have the privilege to serve.

On March 14, 2020, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) advised of a nationwide restriction on visitation in skilled nursing facilities. Recognizing the risk of introducing and spreading infection to the residents by allowing in visitors from the community, CMS has directed that only essential medical personnel or end-of life visitors be allowed in the facility during this time. Until further notice, we will be following this direction, and will not permit visitors unless they meet the very limited criteria articulated by CMS.

We recognize the challenge and inconvenience this has placed on you and our residents, but we greatly appreciate your support and understanding as we do all we can to protect these wonderful family members.

As part of our on-going effort to keep families and loved ones current with all of the regulatory and facility changes, we will be sending out regular updates via email.  Here are some updates and new facility information:

• There are currently no positive cases of COVID-19 at Golden Acres, with either residents or staff, and we will continue to follow all CDC mandates and guidance from other health agencies to keep it that way.
• DSHS is recommending that families no longer do laundry for their resident loved one.  DSHS stated that the transport of that laundry could potentially expose more people.  All laundry is now being processed in-house to comply with their recommendation.
• Mail is still being delivered to residents, however, as a precaution, we have been instructed to hold mail for 72 hours until it be delivered to the resident to help minimize virus transmission.
• The facility has purchased 3 new iPads to help allow families to communicate with their loved ones via Face Time.  These iPads should be delivered by Monday.  Our goal is to help keep everyone as connected as possible.  We’ve already been doing some virtual communication with existing devices but if you haven’t yet had a chance to do this, please reach out to our Activities Department (Sandi Remlinger, sremlinger@ensignservices.net or Robin Simpson, rsimpson@ensignservices.net ) as they will now be in charge of this wonderful program going forward.
• According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as it stands right now, but it is being monitored closely, there is no evidence to support COVID transmission through food or food packing, as such, food delivery is still allowed by family and food delivery services.  The food will still have to be dropped off in the front lobby at which time food will then be delivered by staff to the resident.

Please keep in mind, updates from the CDC and other health agencies change daily, as such, what is listed above may change tomorrow.

Once again, please know that we are all fully engaged in taking action to minimize the possible exposure associated with this virus. We thank you for your continuing confidence, and for helping us in our attempts to keep our residents and staff safe.  Please do not hesitate to reach out with questions, concerns or requests for assistance.  We will keep you updated as additional information becomes available.

Sincerely,

Rick Forscutt
Golden Acres Living and Rehab