Live Update to Residents-October 20, 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; Dr. Andrew Heck, geropsychologist; Glendon Kemp, Manager of Security; and Vanessa Perry, Pastoral Care Administrator.
The following updates were shared during the briefing.
John Burns
COVID-19 Update
Nationally, positivity rates and new cases are increasing in many areas across the country. In Virginia positivity rates are staying relatively low at 4.8%. Henrico is steady at 3.9%. Richmond is 3.7%. Chesterfield is 5.8% (trending up). Chickahominy is 4.5%.
Westminster Canterbury Richmond Updates
Recent results of testing residents and staff in Parsons Health Center have all been negative. Assuming all goes well, Parsons Health Center Third Floor will come out of quarantine on Thursday, October 22.
Last week an employee in our Child Development Center tested positive for COVID-19. Our Virtual Learning Classrooms and Toddler Room are closed until Tuesday, October 27.
Since March, Westminster Canterbury has had confirmed cases of COVID-19 in a total of 15 residents and 34 employees. All residents have recovered. This week, another of our employees tested negative twice and returned to work. So far, 31 of the 34 employees have recovered, and three continue to recover in quarantine.
Vaccination
There is a lot of discussion and planning for a COVID-19 vaccine at the state level and CDC. Westminster Canterbury has been engaged in those conversations and preparation. There is no date or specific information about when a vaccine will be made available. We will be early in the distribution when it is available. We will have an outside pharmacy partner who helps with the distribution process. We will continue to update you as we learn more.
Mask
As a reminder, it is required for everyone inside the building to wear a mask. It is highly encouraged that you also wear it outdoors, especially if you are near others.
Outdoor Work
There is a lot of work going on outdoors around our community. A roofing crane is positioned outside the Courtyard Apartments. Several sidewalk repairs are underway. Please enjoy the beautiful fall weather, but be extra careful when walking outside.
Who Knew?
Tomorrow afternoon marks the start of a new monthly, live television show called Who Knew? So often residents meet their new neighbors after moving in but wind up knowing very little about the neighbors’ fascinating earlier lives. Who Knew? will be a new series, live on TV970, to help us become more familiar with one another. This program is being coordinated by Ann Archer and Bob Clewell.
On the third Wednesday of each month, one of our residents will be interviewed live at 3 p.m. on TV970 with a chance for viewers to phone in questions, live, at the end of the interview. Tomorrow, October 21, at 3 p.m. we will present our first guest, Scott Boyer, who will tell us about his long association with the performing arts in the Richmond community. Be sure to tune in, and ask your questions by calling ext. 6319 when the interview is over.
Dr. Andrew Heck
Dr. Heck will be providing telehealth therapy visits at Westminster Canterbury Richmond. He shared highlights about his services.
What is psychotherapy?
• A “talking cure”
• Conversations with a trained professional
• Very supportive, lack of judgment
• Confidential (with specific exceptions)
• Coordination with other involved professionals (e.g., primary care physician, psychiatrist, nursing staff) when necessary
• Covered by Medicare and insurance (sometimes a copay, depending on plan)
• 30-45 minute sessions, usually every two to three weeks (varies)
• Currently conducted via telehealth, plans to be in-person soon
Even in the best of times, it can help you cope with general life struggles (family, relationships), emotional issues (feeling low, irritable, pessimistic, worrisome), medical/health issues, and sleep or memory difficulties.
In extraordinary times (i.e., pandemic), it can help you cope with fear of illness, isolation and boredom, and lack of productivity or purpose. Other reasons for referrals to therapy include cognitive evaluations that may take place off-site, evaluations as part of legal proceedings (e.g., guardianship, conservatorship) and geriatric care management (i.e., navigating complexities of elder care).
Dr. Heck is a father, musician, woodworker, motorcycle rider, and geropsychologist from Chesterfield.
Glendon Kemp
Election Security
Many are concerned about the potential for civil unrest related to the upcoming election. Although we do not expect civil unrest to impact our campus as it is usually directed at historical landmarks, we recognize the potential is slightly raised with this election. Plans are in place with the Security Department and Henrico County Police to handle these situations on voting day and beyond.
Emergency Nurse Call System in the Tower, Garden and Glebe
Westminster Canterbury will replace the current Emergency Nurse Call provider, Healthsense, with SARA. Tower, Garden and Glebe residents can expect a memo later this week with details on the change. We anticipate installation will begin Monday, November 16. The industry is moving away from motion-censor check-in systems, so we will install door-contact check-in devices, which are more reliable.
Private Deliveries and Service Workers
A few private delivery and private service workers have not been following the requirements for screening prior to entering the building and mask wearing. Gate officers give instruction when they arrive. Residents should remind delivery and private service workers before they arrive that they must go through our screening process and keep their masks on at all times. If one of these providers is found without masks or screening wristbands, they will be asked to leave, which may mean residents will not get deliveries or the service work completed. If you see a delivery driver or service worker not wearing a mask or a wristband, please report it to Security.
Overnight Visitation
Prior to leaving, overnight visitors should either sign out at the Tower or Center Desk or dial “0” from a resident’s phone to inform the desk that they are leaving. This is important for tracking purposes.
Scams
We continue to see scams related to Social Security, with calls saying that your account is about to be closed. Social Security will only contact you via mail.
Residents have received calls claiming to be from Apple, saying your information is being used all over the country. Apple does not contact you this way and instead uses push notification technology.
Please call Security at ext. 1111 if you have questions about scams.
Vanessa Perry
Spiritual Center Service of Dedication
We hope that you have enjoyed the Service of Dedication for the new Spiritual Center. It will air again on TV970 tonight, tomorrow and Thursday at 7:30 p.m. The broadcast lasts an hour and a half. The first half hour includes greetings from our CEO, John Burns, and our Corporate and Foundation Board Chairs, Russ Aaronson and John Thomas. Pastoral Care Director, Lynn McClintock, shares a brief journey of how we have grown over the years to this exciting moment in our history. Our chancel furniture designer, Erich Thompson, describes his beautiful creations that adorn the new sanctuary and the pulpit for the new chapel. After these important presentations, the service of worship begins.
Many have already commented on the inspirational sermon by Rev. Dr. Brian K. Blount, president of Union Presbyterian Seminary and the beautiful music by our resident musicians and the Ginter Park Presbyterian Church choir. The Pastoral Care team truly loved putting this service together for you as an offering of love and appreciation.
Thursday Worship
Please join us in worship this Thursday at 10:30 a.m. via TV970. The minister will be The Rev. Fletcher Lowe with The Rev. Deacon Logan Augustine assisting. The pianist will be Susie Frazer.
Proverbs 11:14 (ESV)
Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.
Your Peace
God, who is more than we can ever comprehend,
help us to seek you,
and you alone.
Help us to stand before all that we could do
and seek what you would do,
and do that.
Lift from us our need to achieve all that we can be
and instead,
surrender to what you can be in us.
Give us ways to refrain from the busyness
that will put us on edge and off center,
give us today your peace.
– Author Unknown