Hello,

As I’m sure you all know, long term care communities are at high risk for COVID-19 outbreaks due to their congregate nature and vulnerable population. Visitors and ill individuals are the most likely sources of introduction of COVID-19 in to the community. Today, Governor Jay Inslee declared a state of emergency in the state of Washington related to the COVID-19 outbreak. This declaration puts specific restrictions in place in ALL skilled nursing facilities and assisted living communities (such as Silverado). I wanted to go over the new restrictions that are being put into place immediately for Silverado visitors and staff and will be remaining in place until at least April 9th. For the safety of all of our residents, their families and the associates, these are the requirements for visitors:

·        EACH resident will be limited to 1 adult visitor per day. We ask that each family coordinate a visitors schedule so that multiple visitors are not coming per day.

·        Upon entering the community, all visitors will be screened for a fever and any respiratory symptoms. The visitor log will include the visitors name, name of resident they are visiting, address, phone, email and will check off that you do not exhibit symptoms of cough, sore throat, shortness of breath and we will be taking your temperature upon entry to the community and this will also be logged in the sign-in book.

·        We will provide alcohol-based hand sanitizer upon arrival, but we urge you to wash your hands thoroughly throughout the time you are here to limit the spread of any illness.

·        We ask that you limit your movement within the community to resident rooms and not congregate in common areas or dining rooms. During this time, we will be moving dining room tables further apart and in a multitude of spaces throughout the community to allow for at least 6 feet between residents, per Department of Health (DOH) and Governor proclamation requirements. In doing this, we will ask that you limit visits during meals.

·        We will be restricting all non-essential personnel from entering the community, including, but not limited to, entertainers, our hair dresser, massage therapist, florist, delivery personnel and other ancillary services. Essential personnel will still include doctors, hospice, home health workers such as PT/OT, etc (they will be required to follow the same visitor guidelines before entry to community)

·        According to the DOH and Governor requirements, we are required to cancel group activities. We will be doing more one-on-one activities as much as possible to engage the residents, but we will not be having group activities, entertainers, our upcoming Plant a Flower day this Thursday, etc. We will look at restrictions and make an informed decision on whether or not to have the April 14th Spring Buffet event.

·        Please know that we are doing extensive screening of all of our associates (staff) and they are also doing temperature checks and screenings for symptoms every day prior to the start of their shift. These screenings will occur prior to their entrance into the community so as to reduce the potential risk to the residents.

·        Last, but not least, in an effort to ensure safety, we do ask that all visits occur between the times of 8am -8pm when our reception team is present and can screen for symptoms. Thank you for your understanding with this and all of the restrictions put in place. 

 

As we continue to learn more about COVID-19 and more information continues to come in to us, I will keep you abreast of the situation and any changes. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me or Jennifer Nichols, RN, Director of Health Services. 

 

 

Laura Printy, CDAL

Senior Administrator

Silverado Bellingham | Memory Care

 

Tel (360) 746-6675 | Cell (360) 595-3407 | Fax (360) 543-8770

4400 Columbine Dr. | Bellingham, WA 98226   

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