Friendship Village Senior Services’ Update and Response to COVID-19 as of Friday, July 31, 2020
Dear Friends, Residents and Families of Friendship Village:
Finally! A cool end to a couple of hot weeks in St. Louis and here at Friendship Villages on this Friday, July 31st, 2020.
We are truly blessed to be able to report that for several weeks now, and today, we have had no residents who are positive with COVID-19 in any of our levels of care (Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care or Skilled Nursing) in Chesterfield and in Sunset Hills. Our Residents are thriving even under the circumstances of the constant threat of the coronavirus.
Just as exciting, the number of employees who are quarantined at home as positive for COVID-19 is shrinking. Friendship Village Chesterfield has, at least for a moment in time, reached the highly vaunted “double zero” goal of having no Residents and no employees who are positive for COVID-19. Sunset Hills is approaching that goal with no Residents and only 3 employees, who are currently at home, positive for the virus.
Knowing that this status is tenuous, at best, given that COVID cases are on the rise throughout St. Louis County and the State of Missouri, we thank God for this moment of reprieve and pray that we get to “double zeroes” on both campuses and then hold on with His grace.
As part of our routine, our Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing facilities on both campuses continue to undergo regular, periodic blanket testing for COVID-19 for residents and staff.
As you may be aware, because of the increasing presence of COVID-19 cases in St. Louis County, the County Health Department has reinstated some of the limitations and restrictions on group gatherings and visits to Skilled Nursing and Assisted Living facilities throughout the County. Despite the success our Residents and families have demonstrated, we are required to follow these more restrictive rules and, so, visitor policies have become more restrictive, again. Please contact your respective facility if you have questions. We will do everything we can to loosen the visitor policies again, as soon as we are allowed. We understand your frustration and we appreciate your understanding.
Friendship Villages are truly blessed to be able to report what you have read, above. Our Residents are safe and well-cared-for. We believe that strong adherence to the measures, below, contribute to this condition:
As always, we URGE all Residents and Staff to adhere to prevention protocols, which are:
- Wear a close-fitting mask at all times when not in living units, including on or off campus
- Wash hands or hand-sanitize frequently
- Maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet from others
- Avoid making contact with others
- If symptoms are detected, immediately contact the Care Navigator or Employee Health Nurse
We appreciate everyone’s ongoing understanding of the situation. Our foremost concern is for the safety of our Residents and our employees. We thank you for your cooperation.
We are not alone. God is with us. Together, we’ve got this!