Friendship Village Senior Services’ Update and Response to COVID-19 as of Friday, June 5th, 2020
Dear Friends, Residents and Families of Friendship Village:
This is a GREAT day at Friendship Villages on this Friday, June 5th, 2020.
We have cause for celebration at both Villages today! Being cautious, of course, and not wanting to spoil our blessings, the Good Lord Jesus Christ has brought both Villages back down to ZERO Residents who are actively positive for COVID-19.
As of this morning, there are NO Residents who are COVID-19-positive, at any level of care (including skilled nursing, assisted living and independent living) on either campus, Chesterfield or Sunset Hills.
There is a single Resident in the Chesterfield skilled nursing facility who tested positive once, then tested negative, and we are only quarantining and observing them for a few more days just to make sure. There are no symptoms. The COVID Care Center is empty.
There is a single Resident in the Sunset Hills skilled nursing facility whose test came back inconclusive, so we are only quarantining and observing them for a few days also just to be sure. There are no symptoms. The COVID Care Center is empty.
We thank God for bringing our Villages back to this point. We also thank our resilient Residents, their families, and our staff who have worked together to reach this end of the “curve.” We pray for our continued protection.
At Chesterfield, one employee remains out on quarantine, recovering from COVID-19. At Sunset Hills, two employees remain out on quarantine, recovering from COVID-19 and two others who are at home awaiting test results. We also pray for their swift recovery and return to the work they love so much.
Both campuses are working with the State on the periodic blanket retesting plan but, while we’re waiting for that guidance, we continue to do what we have to do to test everyone as indications warrant.
Thank you all for your continued prayers and support.
We will provide the next update on Monday, June 8th, 2020.
Visitor Policy Modified
We do, now, allow visitors to Independent Living Residents on campus for OUTSIDE/OUTDOOR visits with Residents. Visits with Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing facilities must still be coordinated in advance with those administrations.
Visitors are still prohibited from coming indoors to visit.
To still maintain COVID-19 preventive measures, we ask that you and your visitors:
- Wear your mask
- Maintain social distancing
- Do not make physical contact
- Residents use hand-sanitizer when coming back inside
- Residents allow the door screeners to take their temperature at least once each day if visiting outside
Our Residents have done very well with the preventive measures they have been following for more than two months and we feel that we can safely lift this restriction if the preventive measures listed above continue to be followed.
We’re excited! We hope you are, too!
Gift-Giving in Appreciation of our Staff is Open on our FriendshipVillageSTL.com website:
Many family members and Residents have inquired as to how to donate a gift of appreciation for the staff for their service during the time of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our website at FriendshipVillageSTL.com now has an easy-to-use tab to use in making contributions for the staff and we thank all of you for considering a gift. As funds are collected, we will identify the best use of those funds in order to do the most that can be done for our employees. Every gift is appreciated, large and small.
Our teams have received many generous contributions from YOU! We are working excitedly on ways to express your support and appreciation to the staff as soon as we possibly can. There have already been some pizzas and sandwiches, delightfully enjoyed, funded by our donors, and there will be more to come. We can always give them more!
As always, all of us thank you all for your continued prayers as we continually ask our Lord Jesus Christ to enable us to do our best to fend-off the COVID-19 coronavirus and to maintain the safety and protection of our Residents and staff.