Update from Administrator – June 23, 2020
Dear Friends and Family Members,
As always, our team and I hope this email finds you safe and healthy.
June 18 began National CNA Week. There are not enough words to describe what these individuals do for our residents by keeping them safe, healthy, and happy. There are many jobs that these individuals could choose from, but they have chosen this profession due to their compassion and loyalty to healthcare. Most of their work and caring go unnoticed but their pride is in their residents. We remain incredibly grateful for our entire dedicated team and ask you to join me in ensuring that they are included as “Health Care Heroes” battling COVID-19. I also want to thank the families who have dropped off or ordered food for the staff over the last several weeks, it is truly appreciated.
Starting June 5, 2020, we were allowed to offer in-person visits between residents and their families! In accordance with our new policy, we will be offering outdoor social distancing visit options for residents to spend time with family, friends, and loved one. As outlined in the Department of Public Health Care Memorandum to Nursing Homes dated June 1, 2020 the following are the stipulations and requirements:
Guidelines for Outdoor Social Distancing Visits
This facility is pleased that we are now able to facilitate outdoor social distancing visits between you and your loved one. We recognize how stressful the visitor restrictions have been on our residents and their families/friends and we want this to be a successful and safe opportunity for all. Procedures have been established with guidance from the MA. Dept. of Public Health, the MA. Dept. of Epidemiology and State Long Term Care Ombudsman Office and must be adhered to for the safety of our residents.
Guidelines
- All visits must be scheduled in advance and will take place in a designated area.
- The visitor must have their temperature taken and answer simple questions prior to the resident coming out for the visit.
- The resident and their visitor(s) must always wear a facial mask.
- Social distancing must be maintained throughout the entire visit. This means that the resident and their visitor(s) must always be at least six (6) feet apart.
- Person to person contact between the resident and visitor(s) is prohibited.
- No items may be transferred between visitor(s), residents and staff.
- The visits will be for a maximum of thirty (30) minutes.
- The maximum number of visitors allowed at one time is two (2).
- Visits will only be scheduled before sundown.
- A facility staff member will be required to remain with the resident and visitor(s) at all times
Visits for A-wing residents are being held in the parking lot near the main entrance. We have set up 2 tents for the comfort of the residents and their visitors. Visits for B-wing residents are held in the courtyard.
- All appointments must be scheduled with Brie Cunniff, Activities Director, by calling 508-295-1040 or by emailing her at recreation@tremontrehab.com.
- Visitors must arrive at least 10 minutes prior to visitation for proper screening by center (at the main front entrance). All Visitors must be wearing facemask or facemask will be given before screening.
We are still offering other options for visiting with your family member such as electronic devices and/or window visits that can also be scheduled with Brie by email or by phone.
Enjoy your time with your loved one and please comply with these safety guidelines as listed above. If you have any questions at any time, please do not hesitate to call or email me at any time.
We do not know which phase of the Governor’s reopening plan will include allowing visitors back in the building. We are still not allowed to have group activities. Brie and her staff have done a great job with room visits. Please let me know if you need anything from us in the way of communicating with your loved ones. I have included an attachment with what is being re-opened next Monday, June 22nd under Phase 2, Part 2.
We do not currently have any COVID-19 positive residents in house. Last week, the state DPH visited our center and found us to be in compliance for PPE, staffing and infection control and prevention issues. We received a score of 27 out of a possible 28. We continue to follow all CDC and state guidelines and receive regular updates on new guidelines that are offered.
All staff and residents have been tested for COVID-19. We expect that in the near future new guidelines will be issued by the state regarding the re-testing of staff at regular intervals.
Thank you and please stay safe and healthy!
Dave Carboneau
Administrator