We believe communication is an essential component of managing the COVID-19 crisis. As we continue to navigate this pandemic, our goal is to keep you informed about the measures we are taking to protect our residents and staff members.
Recoveries: We are grateful to report that the overwhelming majority of our residents and staff afflicted by the virus in the early months of this unprecedented healthcare crisis have fully recovered and are doing well. We are extremely proud of the work performed by our frontline healthcare workers and we are indebted to everyone who continues to go above and beyond to care for your families. Thank you for your continued expressions of support.
Testing: As previously communicated, our care center was among the first nursing homes in the State to request testing for all residents and staff. In recent weeks, more tests have become available to nursing homes and we have completed testing for 100% of residents and staff. We plan to conduct on-going point prevalence and serial testing for all residents and staff as conditions indicate. All prior infection prevention measures and medical management protocols remain in effect.
Infection Prevention: The following measures remain in effect until further notice.
Visitation: Effective June 20th, the Illinois Department of Public Health released permission and guidelines to allow limited outdoor “fresh air” visitation. These guidelines are posted on this website and arrangements can be made to schedule an outside visit with a family member. All requirements for pre-screening and outdoor visits must be followed as the threat for virus transmission is still a factor. Community infection rates, facility outbreaks, staffing availability, and weather conditions may impact scheduling, so we kindly ask for your patience as we work to accommodate these long overdue in-person reunions.
We do not anticipate in-facility visits to be permitted anytime soon, so we will continue to support and encourage our residents to communicate with family members and friends regularly, through the use of Skype, FaceTime calls, Zoom, phone calls, window visits or cards and notes, until it is safe to open our doors to in-person visits again.
In Memoriam: We continue to mourn the loss of every soul claimed by this terrible virus. To honor the lives lost during this pandemic, we are planning to construct a garden memorial to venerate all members of our collective family who have been impacted. We anticipate this garden memorial to be completed in 2021. We invite families and staff to attend a memorial service when conditions allow for us to safely meet and heal together.
We offer our heartfelt thanks for your patience, prayers, support, and the confidence you have placed with us in caring for your loved one.