COVID-19 Virus Immediate Visitation Restriction

March 11, 2020

Re: COVID-19 Virus Immediate Visitation Restriction

To Our Family Members:

We know some of you are justifiably concerned about the spread of COVID-19 (the new coronavirus) being reported in the media and how it may impact us here at Redmond Heights Senior Living.  Ensuring residents are cared for in a safe and healthy environment is our top priority.

Late yesterday we were made aware that former residents at Redmond Care & Rehabilitation Center, the skilled nursing facility adjacent to our community, were diagnosed as positive for COVID-19. Those residents have been transferred from that facility and there are no known current residents who are infected. The skilled nursing facility is a separate operation with a different owner. However, it shares some services with our community, including the laundry services and parking lot.

Prior to learning of the confirmed infections at the adjacent nursing facility, Redmond Heights Senior Living had already implemented recommendations from the CDC to help reduce the potential for the virus to enter our building. This includes following the CDC’s infection control recommendations, such as screening visitors, vendors and employees, following strict handwashing procedures, and in many circumstances, wearing gowns and gloves when interacting with residents. We also are staying up-to-date with the CDC recommendations as they are updated.  In addition, our community is in close contact with the local and state health department and is following their guidance.

However, because our community is physically near the Redmond Care skilled nursing facility, we are now taking the following measures:

• All visitation with residents will be restricted starting immediately.
• This means that no visitors (other than essential health care personnel) will be allowed in the building until further notice.
• We are encouraging residents to take meals in their apartment and limiting the number of group gatherings.

This action was recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and the Federal Department of Health and Human Services – Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for any facility with a positive COVID-19 diagnosis.

I know it may be difficult to hear that you are restricted from visiting with your loved one in-person.  However, our residents’ safety is our highest priority.

We will work with residents and families to provide other ways for residents and family members to interact with friends and loved ones.  This may include visiting your loved one through online video services like Skype, FaceTime or Facebook.  We will send out a communication to let you know the options we will set up for our residents.

If your loved one is currently on hospice services, we will try to find a way to have limited in-person visitation in a way to minimize exposure to you, your friends and family, other residents or employees.  Please contact us to discuss options for those currently on hospice services.

We will continue to provide you updates as we learn new information or as changes occur.

We are investigating the ability to obtain testing for all of our residents and our employees, and we will provide you an update on these efforts once we have more information.

If the health condition of your loved one who resides at Redmond Heights Senior Living changes, we will notify you.  We will then discuss any next steps that will be taken.  If you have any questions in the meantime, please contact us.

Thank you for your support and patience during this unique time.

-The Redmond Heights Senior Living Team