Live Update to Residents-June 9, 2020
Daily Live updates to residents on our in-house TV970 keep us informed and connected. Today’s update featured John Burns, President and CEO; Laurie Youndt, Director of Clinical Services; Scott Jonté, Director of Dining; and David Curtis, Chaplain.
The following updates were shared during the live briefing on TV970.
John Burns
Thank you for attending Tunes on Tuesday in the Courtyard Garden at 11 a.m. today! It is fabulous to have such musical talent come right to our campus.
Step Three
Beginning yesterday, Independent Living residents may leave campus for essential personal business and medical appointments. 199 residents went off campus yesterday and another 119 today. Of those who left, four received follow-up from the Clinic for various reasons. Thank you for being careful and following the screening procedures upon your return.
Mary Morton Parsons Health Center Update
On Tuesday, June 2, Westminster Canterbury Richmond learned that a resident of Mary Morton Parsons Health Center tested positive for COVID-19. This resident had been hospitalized in mid-May and was likely exposed at the hospital. When she returned to Westminster Canterbury, she subsequently tested positive for COVID-19. Because of this resident’s situation, she has been under quarantine for her entire stay in Parsons Health Center. We are happy to report that this resident has received two negative COVID-19 test results and is considered recovered.
Assisted Living Updates
On Tuesday, June 2, Westminster Canterbury also learned that an employee tested positive for COVID-19. In the prior week, this employee had worked in The Gables, Monticello and Avalon areas of Assisted Living during multiple shifts. Residents in these areas are quarantined while we await test results.
All residents of The Gables, Monticello and Avalon have received their first test results. All are negative. Avalon residents are being tested again today. The Gables and Monticello residents will be retested on Saturday. As soon as negative test results are received, their quarantine will end. Most Assisted Living employees have been tested. All test results have been negative so far. We are waiting for the rest of these employees to receive their results.
Baseline Testing
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued guidance for nursing homes that recommends testing residents and staff for COVID-19. As of Monday, June 1, all Parsons Health Center residents have tested negative for COVID-19. Testing for Parsons Health Center staff is underway. All First Floor staff results received so far have been negative, and we are waiting for twelve remaining results. Testing for Second and Third Floor staff is underway.
Next Steps
On Thursday, we will share information about Step Four of Westminster Canterbury’s Next Steps plan. If all continues to go well, Step Four is scheduled to begin on Monday, June 22.
As Virginia and Westminster Canterbury begin to reopen, it is very possible that you and other residents may be exposed to the coronavirus. We may see more infections. Please continue to follow these guidelines:
• Know the symptoms of COVID-19. Per the CDC, symptoms may appear two to 14 days after exposure to the virus and may include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting and diarrhea.
• For everyone’s safety, stay home if you are having symptoms of COVID-19.
• When you return to campus, you must answer the screening questions honestly. This will allow the Clinic to follow up with you and get you care or testing as needed.
Laurie Youndt
Mask Wearing Tips
Mask wearing by itself is not effective. It must be combined with clean hands and social distancing. Put your mask on before you leave your apartment, and remove it when you return. If you are getting in your car and going somewhere, take your mask off to drive and put your mask on before you get out of your car. Take a look at your surroundings to ensure there are no obstacles in your way that you could trip over. Remember that the mask needs to cover your nose. Do not pull it up and down or off and on. Please do not remove the mask or pull it down to talk to someone. Once you put your mask on, leave it alone. Take it off by the ear loops or ties rather than by pulling it off from the front.
Clinic
If you need services, please call the Clinic at ext. 6231. Do not walk in. This helps Clinic staff to anticipate your needs, minimize or eliminate wait times and maintain social distancing guidelines. If you have an appointment, please wait for the staff to call you to come down. Sometimes there are three practitioners in the Clinic at one time, and the staff is sanitizing rooms between visits. Thank you for helping us help you stay safe and healthy!
Scott Jonté
Promenade Dining Begins June 22
On Monday, June 22, we plan to reopen the Promenade Dining Room. We look forward to welcoming you back! It will look different than before. Here are the new processes in Dining:
Reservations are required:
The Promenade will be open for breakfast and lunch only. Call ext. 6030 to make a reservation. Parties are limited to two people. Please leave your name, phone number, the name of your dining partner and your requested time. No walk-ins. Reservation Seating Times are:
• Breakfast, Monday-Saturday: 7 a.m., 7:30 a.m., 8 a.m., 8:30 a.m.
• Lunch, Monday-Saturday: 11 a.m., 11:30 a.m., noon, 12:30 p.m.
• Sunday Midday: 11 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 12:45 p.m., 1:30 p.m.
When you arrive:
You must be wearing a mask to enter the dining room. Please do not arrive more than 10 minutes before your reservation. If you are more than 10 minutes late, you may have to wait for the next seating if a table is available. This is necessary to keep the numbers small and allow proper social distancing. You may not move tables together. You will scan your badge to charge your meal. No receipt will be issued unless you request it. You will sanitize your hands and be led to your table.
During the meal:
Dining staff will take your drink order. You will go to the served buffet where attendants will serve all items. There will be a special plate at your table to put your mask on while dining. You may remove your mask while sitting at the table. You must wear your mask while returning to the buffet and leaving the dining room. Sugar, sweeteners, salt and pepper will be available in single-serve packets by request.
Meal Delivery
Meal delivery will continue. Beginning June 22, the price for breakfast will be $6 and lunch will be $7 for both dine-in and room service meals.
This is our first step in reengaging dining. We will share more information on next steps the week of June 29.
David Curtis
A Service of Thanksgiving for the Montague Chapel will air on TV970 on Thursday, July 2, at 10:30 a.m. For those who are not able to watch on Thursday, July 2, the service will air again the following weekend.
Following the Service of Thanksgiving, residents are invited to come to the chapel through July 15 to offer prayers of thanksgiving, to remember services of praise and mourning, to remember communion shared at the holy table and to remember voices raised in song. On or around July 15, we will begin the process of relocating the stained glass windows from the current chapel to the new chapel in the Spiritual Center.
Residents may still come to the chapel on their own to have private time until early to mid-August, when we will transition completely to the Spiritual Center. The chapel will look very different with stained glass and some pews removed. Pastoral Care is working with several departments to minimize disruption during the transition. Thank you for your understanding.
Micah 6:6-8
With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
Song of Mary, Luke 1:46-55
And Mary said,
‘My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
His mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever.’