April 16, 2020
Residents, Families and Partners,
We wanted to update you on things here at Redmond Heights. While we know things can always change quickly with this virus, we are happy to report there have been no new positive COVID findings for residents since April 4, 2020. Our last positive employee finding was on April 7. Read more
April 6, 2020
Residents, Families and Partners,
We wanted to update you on things here at Redmond Heights. In our last update, we let you know that we have multiple confirmed cases of COVID-19. These confirmed diagnoses have been centered in our memory care unit. Since that update, we have tested all individuals in memory care. We have now converted our memory care unit to a COVID-positive unit. As the unit is separate and distinct from the rest of the building, this allows us to isolate those that have tested positive and have a dedicated caregiver each shift who does not see other residents to better prevent any incidental spread of the virus. Any memory care, assisted living or independent living resident who tests positive and returns to the facility has been and will be moved to this area.
In addition, in accordance with CDC guidance, any resident who leaves the facility, goes off campus (for care, by choice or for any other reason) and later returns to the facility, will be required to quarantine in his/her room for 14 days after return due to their potential exposure outside our community. Staff entering and exiting their rooms during this isolation period will dispose of all personal protective equipment before entering back into the common areas of the building to care for other residents.
Our staff continue to engage in all CDC and King County Health Department guidelines for infection control in the building. This includes deferring delivery of cardboard or paper wrapped items or packages (that cannot be disinfected) for 24 hours, so delivery will be delayed by one day. We are also disinfecting all plastic, metal and glass items before they are delivered to residents. Therefore, when you deliver any items to your loved ones, please let us know if anything is perishable or needs refrigeration, and please try to have these perishable items in containers that can be disinfected like plastic, metal or glass so we can deliver them immediately.
We are sure no one expected this to last as long as it has, and surely it is difficult to not be able to visit with your loved ones here at Redmond Heights. Please contact Neomi Castillo at (425) 885-4157 EXT 2210 to arrange a video chat with your loved one.
Our staff continue to monitor all residents for signs and symptoms or any other changes in condition on a regular basis. Our staff continue to maintain infection control measures in cleaning the building, doing laundry and when interacting with our residents.
As stated in earlier communications, we will notify residents’ primary health care providers and designated family members of any changes in their loved one’s condition, whether potentially related to COVID-19 or not.
As always, please reach out with questions, concerns, or requests for assistance. We will continue to keep you updated as additional information becomes available.
The Redmond Heights Senior Living Team
April 1, 2020
Residents, Families and Partners,
We are writing with a further update regarding COVID-19 and its impact on our community. Despite our focused efforts and our adoption of CDC-recommended infection control practices, COVID-19 continues to affect our residents and staff. Read more
March 26, 2020
Residents, Families and Partners,
We at Redmond Heights Senior Living continue to extend our heartfelt thanks to each of you for your support and understanding during this challenging time. Our team continues its efforts to keep your loved ones safe and comfortable. Read more
Residents, Families and Partners,
First of all, we at Redmond Heights Senior Living want to extend our heartfelt thanks to each of you for your support and understanding during this challenging time. Your cooperation is key in allowing our team to focus our efforts on keeping your loved ones safe and comfortable. Read more
Dear Residents, Family and Friends:
On March 14, 2020, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services advised of a nationwide restriction on visitation for certain health facilities, due to the coronavirus. Though these restrictions were drafted for skilled nursing facilities, they address risks similar to those posed to other senior living communities. CMS has directed that only health care workers or end-of life visitors be allowed to visit the community during this time. Until further notice, we will follow this direction, and will not permit non-essential visitors. We continue to encourage virtual visitation by phone, FaceTime, Skype, etc. It is important for you to remain connected with your loved one, and we will be happy to work with you to accomplish this in the absence of an in-person visit. Read more
March 15, 2020
Residents, Families and Partners,
Here at Redmond Heights Senior Living, we’re committed to keeping you up-to-date and informed, especially during the turbulent times caused by COVID-19.
In our last communication, we informed you that the adjacent skilled nursing facility, Redmond Care & Rehabilitation Center, had residents test positive for COVID-19. Those resident were transferred to the hospital. We then described all the measures we’re taking to keep our residents and visitors safe, including the following: screening residents and employees for symptoms; restricting visitors; limiting group gatherings; increasing cleaning; and following CDC-recommended infection control measures.
We’re writing with an update on the situation at Redmond Care. As described on their website, there are now additional confirmed cases of COVID-19 in their facility. As you may expect, access and outside interaction with their facility is highly restricted. We continue to enforce stringent infection control measures to limit the risk that the virus could spread from their building to ours.
We still have no confirmed cases of COVID-19 at Redmond Heights. We are again grateful for your patience and support in this challenging time. We will keep you updated as conditions develop.
Sincerely,
Chehara Green
CGreen@redmondheightsseniorliving.com
(206) 790-7670
Executive Director
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:
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
