IMPORTANT MESSAGE: Friendship Village Senior Services’ Update and Response to COVID-19 as of Thursday, July 2, 2020
Dear Friends, Residents and Families of Friendship Village:
Summer is here at Friendship Villages on this Thursday, July 2nd, 2020, as all of us prepare to celebrate the 4th of July and the birth of our great nation.
Our Residents at all levels of care have enjoyed a couple of weeks reprieve from COVID-19 cases. Along with the State and County, some of our voluntary restrictions have been relaxed. Residents have been permitted to visit family and friends off campus, visitors have been permitted on campus, group activities have begun picking up again, all under the urging of practicing the face mask, hand washing and social distancing protocols.
HOWEVER, with freedom comes risk. The presence and risk of COVID-19 is on the upswing all around us and now one, and possibly two, independent living residents on the Friendship Village Chesterfield campus have contracted the coronavirus. Through initial contact tracing, it is believed that the virus may have been acquired at a recent off-campus social event that the residents attended about a week ago, and that will be investigated by the County Health Department.
Because of the known exposure among the independent living residents on the Chesterfield campus, and in coordination with the County Health Department, we are implementing a 14-day voluntary quarantine for all residents on the campus. In addition, we will be enforcing a “No Visitor” policy that will prohibit any non-essential visitors on campus for any reason other than to drop-off needed supplies to residents at the main entrance. There will be a checkpoint established at the campus entrance. We are also strongly urging residents to limit travel off campus, at all, except for essential trips, such as to a doctor’s appointment. The campus has done this before. Systems are in place. Activities are still available to everyone using technology. Morale calls will resume. Wonderful meals will continue to be delivered to living quarters as it has been for more than three months. Residents will be asked to monitor their health and temperatures and report abnormal signs to the Care Navigator immediately. Spiritual care activities will continue to be provided in electronic venues. The 14-day Chesterfield campus-wide quarantine is our plan. If we are blessed with absolutely no signs or symptoms, that could be reduced. If other residents begin to show signs or symptoms, it may be extended.
By the Grace of God, there remain no residents currently with COVID-19 in the Chesterfield skilled nursing facility and we pray that this continues.
The Sunset Hills campus, at the moment, remains COVID-19-free campus-wide and a 14-day quarantine is not necessary at this time. However, considerations are being made to revert back to smaller groups in fitness classes and other activities and dining programs to minimize the potential for exposure or spread.
In all cases, 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
- Hash 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 your Care Navigator
We appreciate everyone’s understanding of the situation. Our foremost concern is for the safety of our Residents and our employees. We certainly did not wish this to happen and we continue to pray that the situation is resolved quickly and that everyone remains healthy. We thank you for your cooperation.
We are not alone. God is with us. Together, we’ve got this!