Family Update-April 3, 2020

April 3, 2020

Dear Family Members and Guardians,

I hope this email finds you healthy and safe. I also hope these email blasts are helping you through this difficult time. Just a few reminders and updates for this edition:

Tele-Health

While physicians are obviously an essential part of your loved one’s care; we are planning ahead and have a new contract to provide for additional physician coverage using Tele-Medicine services. This service will be available to your loved one, should their physician be unable to visit our center. Our team will be able to utilize the services of a tele-health provider for the same issues your personal physician would address.

Care Packages

We have some new guidelines that we have received; we can no longer accept dropped off food and care packages for residents. Please use the U.S. Postal Service to send care packages to your family members. We encourage you to allow our laundry department to wash your loved one’s clothing in house; if that is not possible, we can work out a drop off schedule with you.

PPE Donations

Many other health care providers are requesting donations of PPE for our staff; unfortunately, we are now accepting the same donations. Hospitals and other nursing homes across our state and the nation have received generous donations from individuals looking to help. We have appreciated your social media and emotional support over the past days – and now we need your support through donations of Personal Protective Equipment – specifically, GOWNS and masks at this time. If you know of anyone who has access, please let us know or have them contact us.

If you can support our staff and residents in their time of need, please call ahead and drop off any PPE to our front door.

Activities Recreation– How your loved one is spending their day

The visitor restriction placed on our center stipulated that no outside entertainers could perform at our center, as well as the assistance of our volunteers. Additionally, we, just like you, are practicing social distancing, as best as we can. Therefore, activities are taking place – but in smaller groups, using social distancing and even throughout hallways.
Easter (April 12, 2020) – We are planning a special Window Visit Day on Sunday April 12, 2020, where family members can schedule a time to see their loved ones through a window and staff will provide you with special markers to decorate window. Please contact the Activities Director for more details.
Our alternative visits are up and running. We appreciate your patience as we develop this and continue to work on making it the best possible experience. Contact us for more information.
With your written permission, we will post more pictures of your loved one on our Facebook page for you to see them engaged in activities and sharing moments with our staff. If you do not consent to this, we can send you pictures to your phone/email.

For your loved ones:

As you know, guidelines and recommendations from state health departments and the CDC are updated on a daily basis – and we are staying on top of them and adjusting as quickly as possible to meet them.
We continue to take a full set of resident vitals each shift along with their O2 saturation level. We are observing also for subtle changes (increased weakness, confusion, agitation).
Residents with sudden onset of symptoms will be placed on “droplet precautions” until their case can be reviewed.
We continue to focus on keeping the building clean – paying special attention to high-touch areas, disinfecting, monitoring our cleaning supply levels and any updates and guidelines from the CDC in this area.

Our Employees

The last days and weeks have been incredibly trying for our employees. Their jobs are difficult even on the very best days, and right now, they are being asked to handle an even greater load. Their work has not gone unrecognized. We have received notes of thanks and messages on our Facebook page from family members and others who are so grateful for their “Healthcare Heroes.” Their presence and professionalism provide great emotional support to our residents, especially at this time.

As a reminder:

At the start of each employee’s shift, they are required to

Sign in
Get their temperature and Oxygen saturation taken.
Answer a series of questions on their health, their recent travel and if they have been in contact with someone known to have COVID-19

Moving Forward

What else would you like to see in future emails each week?

What other topics do you want to hear about on our “Town Hall” calls?

As I have said before, I would like to personally thank you for your patience during this very unusual time we are all facing. This is an unprecedented time for all of us and we appreciate the support and kind words of encouragement we have received. We continue to monitor and look to our state and federal governing bodies on updates for Covid-19. We appreciate the support we have received from families and the general public. We also appreciate the dedication from our employees under these stressful and uncertain times.

Thanks for the support – now, in the past and in the future!

Respectfully,

Michael

Michael Medeiros, RN, LNHA

Nursing Home Administrator

The Tremont Rehabilitation and Skilled Care Center

605 Main Street

Wareham, MA 02571