Live Update to Residents-July 30, 2020
Live updates to residents on our in-house TV970 keep us informed and connected on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 3 p.m. Today’s update featured John Burns, President and CEO; Will Blackwell, Vice President Health Services; Scott Jonté, Director of Dining; Sherry Grady, Vice President Facilities Management; Gayle Hunter Haglund, Vice President Resource Development; Lynn McClintock, Director Pastoral Care; and The Rev. Dr. William Blake, Jr., resident.
The following updates were shared during the live briefing on TV970.
John Burns
Next Steps
Thanks to the encouraging results of recent testing, we are able to move forward with the Next Steps outlined in this memo.
Two important changes are coming as part of Step Five of our Next Steps. If there is an increase in positive cases of COVID-19, we may stop or change processes and services. Some steps are limited by available staffing. We anticipate that we will continue to expand services and visitation as resources allow. Other services that were provided temporarily due to the pandemic will be phased out as we resume normal operations. Thank you for your understanding as we fine-tune these plans.
Guidelines for Independent Living Residents Traveling Off Campus Overnight
Beginning August 1, Independent Living resident travel guidelines will change. Independent Living residents may travel off campus and are encouraged to continue masking and social distancing. If time away includes traveling by plane, train or bus, there are precautions that must be taken upon return.
• On the first day back in the community, you must be tested for COVID-19. You may call and schedule a time to be tested by our Clinic staff. You may also be tested offsite before returning to the community, including at sites that offer rapid COVID-19 tests, and bring results to the Clinic.
• For the 14 days following return or until negative test results are received, residents should self-quarantine in their apartment.
• If you traveled by other means but return and feel unwell, please stay home and self-quarantine until you can be seen by the Clinic or your physician.
• If you return from travel and have concerns that you might have been exposed or been traveling in a region with high infection rates, we recommend getting tested and following these quarantine guidelines.
• If you did not travel by plane, train or bus, and have no symptoms upon return, you may resume normal activities.
Independent Living Visitation
The last day of structured, scheduled visitation for Independent Living residents will be Tuesday, August 4. Beginning Thursday, August 6, Independent Living family may begin visiting in residents’ apartments or homes on a limited basis, Thursday through Sunday. Visitors must arrive between 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Visitors arriving after 3 p.m. will not be permitted to enter the community. Visitation in public spaces is not permitted. Guests will not be allowed in Dining or other community program spaces nor offices. A maximum of two visitors per resident or resident couple is allowed.
• Visitors must wear a mask at all times in public areas and are required to have a temperature check and question screening upon arrival.
• For Screening: Drive through the Center for Creative Living Entrance loop to short-term parking along the sidewalk. Follow the signs to screening. Please answer screening questions honestly. After question screening and temperature check, you will receive a wristband indicating you have been screened.
• If visitors have a temperature above 100 degrees Fahrenheit or have COVID-19-related symptoms, they will not be permitted to visit that day.
• Return to your vehicle. Tower and Garden visitors will park in the Tower Visitor Lot. Courtyard visitors will park in the East Lot. Visitors to Homes on the Green or The Glebe will park in those areas.
• Visitors are permitted in residents’ homes until 8 p.m.
Please be aware of the risks of inviting visitors into your home. While we are not recommending it, we will allow it. Use the appropriate precautions to protect yourself, including disinfecting after visitors leave. Continue to wear masks and maintain social distances from visitors to remain safe.
Assisted Living visitation continues by appointment only. A plan for Parsons Health Center visitation has been created; however, we must wait for guidance from CMS to determine when it may begin. As soon as this type of visitation is allowed, we are ready to begin.
Next week, we will share details about allowing others into the community to provide services in your homes.
Will Blackwell
Thank you for your help and support with the Point Prevalence Survey (PPS) on July 20 and 21. The National Guard was very complimentary of our residents, staff and facilities. Our results were outstanding. Thank you for your continued support by wearing your mask, handwashing frequently and social distancing.
LabCorp Results
Since the Parsons Health Center outbreak, LabCorp has been instructed by the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) to make our COVID-19 testing a priority. Currently, we receive lab results within two to four days.
Focused Infection Control Survey
On July 29, 2020, we had our third Focused Infection Control Survey with VDH due to the outbreak and the new COVID-19 positive unit. Our first survey was April 1, 2020, and our second survey was June 24, 2020.
Four surveyors worked with our team yesterday. One surveyor was on campus and toured all three floors of Parsons Health Center and the COVID-19 unit on Pavilion Third Floor. She interviewed nursing and housekeeping staff and residents during her tour, observing and asking questions. The other surveyors were virtual and reviewed policies, resident records and all of our communications to residents and families.
At the end of the day they were very complimentary of our work, especially the results of the PPS. They are recommending no deficiencies. Thank you to the Parsons Health Center nursing team and shared services for their continued outstanding results.
COVID-19 Unit
Four residents moved to the COVID-19 unit on Friday, July 24. Since then, two residents have tested negative twice and returned home. The other two continue to improve and are being tested regularly. This unit will only be open as needed.
Westminster Canterbury Richmond COVID-19 Cases Summary
Since March, Westminster Canterbury has had confirmed cases of COVID-19 in a total of seven residents and 23 employees. Two Parsons Health Center residents are currently infected and isolated in our COVID-19 positive unit. So far, 16 of the 23 employees have recovered, tested negative twice and are able to return to work. Seven employees are recovering in quarantine.
Scott Jonté
Dining Updates
• Thank you to the 120 residents who came to the Promenade for dinner to celebrate Westminster Canterbury’s 45th Anniversary on Tuesday.
• A previously announced delivery fee will not be instituted until September. At that time, we will also introduce a carryout service from the Promenade area. More information will be shared later.
• Hand-dipped ice cream is back in the Promenade for dinner only.
• We are no longer using dine@wcrichmond.org. If you need immediate attention, you can email Scott at sjonte@wcrichmond.org.
• Reservations are not required for breakfast or lunch. Reservations are required for dinner. Please do not wait until the last minute to make a reservation.
• Please arrive within 10 minutes before or after your reservation time.
• Always wear your mask when you are in the dining room and only remove it when you are eating.
• If you would like a copy of your receipt, please ask the host for one when you check in at the host stand before you take your seat.
Sherry Grady
Tower Green Grand Opening
Join us Monday, August 3, at 10 a.m. for the ribbon cutting for the Tower Green. After months of landscaping, our beautiful Tower Green is ready. We will celebrate with popsicles on Monday. We hope this new park-like space will bring much happiness.
Balloons
Residents are welcome to take one or several of the smiley balloons displayed around campus for the 45th Anniversary. Please take them before 3 p.m. on Friday. Leave the balloon weights at either the Tower or Center Desk so that they can be reused in the future.
Gayle Haglund
Westminster Canterbury Foundation’s Fellowship Program Survey
The Fellowship Program provides life care, housing, meals, medical care and vital living. It is the core program of Westminster Canterbury Foundation. We want to strengthen the way we share the impact of Fellowship with our generous donors and need your input. Today’s issue of The Tales has a front-page article requesting your input. All answers will be confidential. We know Fellowship means a lot to many – donors, family members, recipients and more. We would love to hear from you in your own words. Return your answers to envelopes at the Tower and Center Desks and Avalon Mailroom or respond via Touchtown Community Apps in the Tales section. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us.
Spiritual Center
A packet about the Spiritual Center from the Foundation is available. A Spiritual Center video offers a tour featuring Lynn McClintock, several very thoughtful residents and Gayle Haglund. Please prayerfully consider a gift for the Spiritual Center. The Foundation made a commitment to raise $4 million and has received nearly $3 million so far. An artist is creating a permanent piece of art to honor our donors that will include every donor’s name. It’s not too late for your name to be included.
Lynn McClintock
The August Prayer Booklet is available today by calling Vanessa Perry at ext. 1502 or David Curtis at ext. 5179. If you received one in the past, it will be delivered to you, and you do not need to call to request one. This Sunday’s Sermon for Every Sunday preacher is Rev. Carla Pratt Keyes from Ginter Park Presbyterian Church, Richmond, Virginia. She will preach on Matthew 14:13-21, the feeding of the multitude in the desert.
Thoughtful Thursday – The Rev. Dr. William Blake, Jr.
Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, You are the one who leads us to “I am;”
You had an intimacy with God that we do not know,
But long to experience;
You called God “Our Father,” and invited us to join You
As His children;
Your Servant, John, affirmed the divine to be “Love.”
We are very grateful to have a variety of holy names,
Each granting us another dimension of the passionately loving
Reality with whom we seek oneness, guidance, and wisdom to
Act consistently, as Your loving people. Amen.