Corona Virus Update for Families of our Residents

March 16, 2020

Dear Family Member,

On Friday, March 13th, we received an order from the Commissioner of the Department of Public Health (DPH) of the State of Connecticut with the directive to “impose a complete ban on all visitors” to nursing homes for a period of 30 days. The only exceptions that can be made are for:

• “Any person authorized by law to oversee or investigate the provision of care and services,
• Family members, domestic partners or other person designated by a resident ONLY when the Physician or APRN has determined such resident to be at the end stage of life with death being imminent.” We are supportive of the need for family visits at end of life and will work with you to facilitate this.

We realize that this limitation is very difficult and we want to be sure that you are aware of the alternatives that we can provide. We can facilitate phone calls, SKYPE, or FaceTime visits. We welcome you calling to get an update on your loved one or we can call you and give you updates. We are committed to keeping you informed!

Guidance has been provided by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) that nursing homes should implement Social Distancing as a containment strategy to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus to our very vulnerable residents. This means that we will cease group activities and communal dining. All residents are being asked to stay in their rooms at all times to protect themselves and each other. It is this type of individual and community sacrifice that will keep us as safe as possible through the next difficult weeks. The facility will be providing as much entertainment as possible in the residents’ rooms. Therapy will continue to be provided as needed but also in the residents’ rooms.

In addition, we are requesting that you not take our residents on leave of absences. This exposes them unnecessarily to the Coronavirus which is present in the community. And it increases the risk of bringing it back into the facility. If there is an emergent need for a leave of absence, please contact the facility Social Worker and/or Director of Nursing to review. If you choose to take you family member out of the facility, the resident will be screened upon return to the facility per CDC guidelines. There is a risk that your loved one might not be allowed to return to the facility and alternate placement would need to be made.

If you have concerns about your family member remaining in a nursing home, please let us know and we can assist with alternate placement or discharge to home.

We are continuing to review all of our infection prevention policies to ensure compliance with CDC and DPH recommendations and are prepared to take care of our residents if they become ill. And of course, we will keep you informed and involved in treatment decisions.

As more information becomes available, we will be contacting you. Please update your phone number and email address information by sending it to info@candlewoodvalley.com. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at 860-355-0971.
Sincerely,

David Segal,
Administrator

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