Friendship Village Senior Services’ Update and Response to COVID-19 as of Thursday, May 14th, 2020
Dear Friends, Residents and Families of Friendship Village:
It’s going to be warm today at Friendship Villages on this Thursday, May 14th, 2020.
The only big news in today’s report is that the full, voluntary self-quarantine across the Chesterfield campus has been lifted as of this morning! While this is a very much welcomed, and earned, occasion, all Residents have been thoroughly informed, via video and in writing, of the protocols that still remain in place until further notice.
The protocols that remain in place at each campus include:
- Wearing face masks at all times when outside of living units. Outdoors, away from others, okay to remove, until others get near.
- Hand-sanitizing at every opportunity.
- Maintaining social distancing of at least 6 feet from other people.
- Adhering to the “no contact” rule to not touch anyone for any reason.
- Non-essential trips off campus are highly discouraged and protocols must be followed, and the trip reported to the Care Navigator upon return.
- The “no visitor” policy is still in effect and enforced.
- Essential trips off campus are okay (doctor’s visits, grocery store) for brief periods as long as all above protocols are followed.
- There is still no dining in the dining rooms at this time and no social gatherings until further notice. Many alternative methods to engage with Residents and to connect with families remain available and ubiquitous.
The COVID Care Center, inside the Chesterfield skilled nursing facility, only has two Residents awaiting graduation back to normal accommodations! The multidisciplinary staff there has done a phenomenal job of nursing these Residents back to health. 2 Residents are completing their recovery in the local hospital and we anticipate and pray for their return soon.
On the Sunset Hills campus, still, thanks be to God, no Residents have tested positive for COVID-19, at any level of care. There is an occasional intervention with staff who are at risk of bringing the virus into the campus every day and we are continually on alert for that potential. That risk has not diminished and neither have our protocols.
Please pray with us for continued progress.
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 has begun lifting some stay at home orders, St. Louis County has not, and neither is Friendship Village. We plan to 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.