Friendship Village Senior Services’ Update and Response to COVID-19 as of Friday, May 15th, 2020
Dear Friends, Residents and Families of Friendship Village:
Some heavy rain early this morning at Friendship Villages on this Friday, May 15th, 2020.
We bid a very fond farewell to Mike Hambley, the Executive Director of the Chesterfield campus today, as he spends his last day with the Residents and staff before he departs for a big, new CEO position out of state. Getting back to where he raised his children for many years has been kind-of a dream for him that has come true and we wish him all the best.
The Residents in Chesterfield had a great day, yesterday, emerging from their quarantine and getting out and about, safely, of course, and stretching their legs and seeing the sights. We are excited to see everyone’s bright-smiling face masks, once again.
In the Chesterfield skilled nursing facility, the COVID Care Center is looking forward to graduating the final two in-house COVID patients over the weekend and be back down to zero on campus very soon! Three Residents are in local hospitals for treatment and we look forward to their return as soon as they can. The care teams there have done an outstanding job caring for all of those residents.
At Sunset Hills, there still remain no Residents at any level of care, in skilled nursing, or assisted living or independent living, who have tested positive for COVID-19, and we thank God for this blessing. There are a number of staff who worked together in the skilled nursing facility who have shown symptoms and have tested positive. Upon identification, these employees were immediately sent to quarantine in their homes until their recovery period ends when they can return back to work COVID-free. We pray for their rapid and successful recovery. At this point, it does not appear that Residents in the skilled nursing facility have been affected but we are monitoring the situation very aggressively and constantly. We also pray for God’s intervention in preventing Residents and other staff from contracting the virus.
No Visitor Policy Still in Full Effect
As many would expect, all of the security and no-visitor policies remain in full effect at all locations as we continue to combat the coronavirus. We appreciate the cooperation and understanding of all involved, Residents and families alike.
Although the State of Missouri and St. Louis County is lifting some stay at home orders, Friendship Village must still adhere to our protocols and the guidance provided by the CDC and the Departments of Health as prescribed for senior living communities. We will maintain our measures and vigilance, as we are currently, until a time when we feel there will be an opportunity to safely begin relaxing some of our measures, but that time is not now. Our No-Visitor Policy remains in effect until further notice. We appreciate your continued understanding and cooperation.
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.
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.