Category: Uncategorized
Branching Out Issue 02
Branching Out Issue 01
An Update from Our CEO
In accordance with President Trump’s national emergency declaration, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued the following guidance to all long term care facilities.
All skilled nursing, assisted living and supportive living facilities will be subject to a prohibition of visitors.
Exceptions will only be made on a case-by-case basis for compassion care such as end of life situations. In these exceptional situations there will be a limit to two visitors at a time, and they will be subjected to screening for COVID-19 symptoms. Also, any exceptions made will require visitors to perform hand hygiene and to wear a facemask before entering the resident’s room. Visits will be restricted to resident’s rooms only. Any visitors exhibiting symptoms and displaying an inability to perform hand hygiene or wear a facemask will not be allowed enter the building. Additionally, in accordance with guidance from CMS, residents will begin dining in their rooms and our communal dining rooms will be closed. Group social events and activities will also be suspended until further notice. Activities and socialization will occur by alternate methods such as more 1:1 with staff members.
We realize these are more stringent steps being taken and ask for your understanding during these unprecedented times. Please know that your loved one’s health and well-being are our highest priority, and we are instituting these measures in an effort to keep them safe and secure.
Ben Hart
President & CEO
A Letter from Our CEO
To our Residents, Families, Employees, and Community Members:
During this period of heightened awareness regarding the spread of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), we want to keep you informed of our efforts to keep our residents and employees in our buildings from being infected and contracting symptoms of COVID-19 that could compromise their health.
Please be aware that we have instituted a NO VISITOR restriction on ALL of our communities. Only staff members and essential personnel will be allowed to enter until further notice. Signs are posted at all entrances of our skilled nursing, assisted, supportive, and independent living communities. These signs alert and inform of the current visitor restrictions outlined by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) that have been put into place to minimize the spread of COVID-19 to our residents and employees. There are also notices of the current visitor restrictions and procedures on the Facebook pages and websites of all our facilities.
We understand that communication is critical during these times in order to stay in touch with loved ones. In an effort to foster better communication, each facility will be utilizing FaceTime and Skype as preferred means to video chat with residents. Facilities will have either laptop computers or iPhones available for staff to help assist residents with video chatting. Please contact your local facility for further instructions on this process.
We believe it is our role and responsibility to prioritize the health and well-being of our residents. Any essential personnel will be subject to screening procedures prior to entry into buildings. Our dedicated staff members have been thoroughly trained and educated on how we are taking precautions to protect the health of our residents to prevent further spread of COVID-19. The internal task force we assembled continues to stay on top of any updates and news issued by the IDPH and the Center for Disease Control (CDC). Each skilled facility and assisted or supportive living community also works closely with their local health departments on these efforts.
We thank you in advance for your cooperation and understanding at this time. For the most updated visitor restriction guidance, please go to our website at https://www.greentreepharm.com/, or Facebook pages for Heritage Health or Evergreen Senior Living. I also encourage you to contact your administrator or director for further information.
Thank you for choosing us to care for your health or the health of your loved one. Have peace of mind knowing that we take our commitment to care for your loved one under all circumstances very seriously and with great passion.
Sincerely,
Benjamin A. Hart, President
Heritage Operations Group