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Coronavirus Precautions

The rapid spread of COVID-19 is raising concerns of local governments, businesses and people everywhere. New information is being learned daily. Most importantly, there is heightened concern for our residents, families and associates given that seniors tend to be more vulnerable to the disease and, by design of senior living, live in close quarters. We are mitigating this concern by taking active and aggressive steps to prevent the virus from getting into our communities.

We are taking direction from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), local health departments and our own internal infection control experts. Infection control measures and practicing universal precautions are part of standard operating processes.

For common questions we are receiving and answers, please see below.

Q: What are your current visitation guidelines?

A: To help mitigate resident exposure to the virus, we are currently adhering to the below guidelines.

  • We will pause visits from all persons not essential to our business operations. This includes:
    • Family members and friends of residents
    • Anyone who leads our activity programs
    • Volunteers
    • Vendors who are not deemed essential
  • Residents may only leave the community for medical emergencies until further notice.
  • Anyone who visits the community will be screened at the front desk with a questionnaire and a temperature check. Visitors will not be permitted to enter if they have one of the following situations:
    • Anyone infected with COVID-19 who has not received two negative tests
    • Anyone showing symptoms of COVID-19 (fever of 100.4 or greater, cough, shortness of breath)
    • Anyone who has come in contact with an infected individual cannot visit the community within 14 days of coming in contact with that individual.
    • Anyone who has traveled internationally must wait at least 14 days from their return before visiting the community.
    • Anyone who has traveled on a cruise ship must wait at least 14 days from their return before visiting the community.
    • Anyone who lives in an area where coronavirus has been confirmed must wait at least 14 days before visiting our community.
  • All side and back entrances to the community will be locked. Everyone entering the community must enter from the main entrance and be screened.
  • All third-party healthcare providers will be permitted to visit only if their visits are essential (hospice, home health nurses, private duty personnel, physical therapists, etc). They have all signed acknowledgements committing that they will adhere to our policies regarding COVID-19.

 

Q: I would like items to delivered to my loved one. How can I make sure they receive them?

A: All supplies including medication, mail, Personal Protective Equipment and food will be delivered to the concierge desk and then allocated to the appropriate person/department. If you would like to leave additional items for your loved one, feel free to bring them to our concierge desk and we will be happy to deliver them for you.

 
Q: Are resident lifestyles events still scheduled?

A: We have cancelled resident participation in all external events and have limited the size of our in-house programs to 10 people as recommended by the CDC. We also are not co-mingling Independent Living, Assisted Living and Memory Care residents.

 
Q: What cleaning protocols do you currently have in place?

A: We have implemented enhanced cleaning protocols and are disinfecting and sanitizing surfaces that get touched frequently such as doorknobs, handrails, keypads, bathrooms, toilet handles, sink handles, dining room tables and chair handles, elevators, phones, pagers, iPads, etc. We have also confirmed that all of our cleaning products kill the COVID-19 virus. Additionally, we have implemented the following:

  • We have hand sanitizer at the front desk and throughout the community.
  • We are requiring that essential visitors go immediately to the restroom and wash their hands with soap and water after checking in to the community and visiting residents.
  • We increased the amount of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) supplies that we normally keep on hand such as masks, gloves and hand sanitizer. Please note though that there is a global shortage of all these supplies.
  • While we always sanitize all programming supplies such as poker chips, exercise equipment, etc., we are sanitizing these items more frequently.
  • We are encouraging residents to wash their hands frequently throughout the day.
  • We are spot-checking the handwashing techniques of all associates and residents.

 
Q: How are you keeping residents and their loved ones updated?

A: We are currently keeping residents updated with meetings at the communities in addition to letters sent to their e-mail addresses. Their family members also receive these letters via e-mail. We are posting updates as they arise to each community’s Facebook page. You can also follow our updates on Facebook.com/SagoraSeniorLiving.
 
Q: What can I do to keep myself safe?

A: We recommend the below guidelines from the CDC.

  • Wash your handsoften with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  • Avoid touchingyour eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with your elbow or a tissue, not your hands.
  • Practice social distancing.
    • If you have to be around people, keep 6 feet between you when possible.
    • Avoid crowds. The CDC is now recommending that you should avoid groups of more than 10 people.
  • If you have symptoms, stay home and practice complete isolation/quarantine.

 

If you need additional information, the CDC and WHO are great resources and their information regarding COVID-19 can be accessed here:

 
We will continue to post updates as they arise via social media and internal communications with our associates, residents and family members. If you have additional questions, you can contact us here.

 

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