What is Lifespace Communities doing to help protect residents and team members from contracting COVID-19?
We continue to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state health department protocols and recommendations to prevent the spread of the virus among our residents. This includes:
- Notifying all residents, families, team members and responsible parties when team members or residents have been diagnosed with COVID-19;
- We have also instituted a universal mask policy, and team members and essential visitors and vendors are provided with and required to wear surgical/procedure masks when working inside of our communities;
- We require screening of all essential visitors and team members entering our communities, including questionnaires and temperature checks;and
- We prohibit any team members from coming to work if they are exhibiting any symptoms of COVID-19 or other illnesses.
What if my family member tests positive with COVID_19?
- If your family member receives a positive COVID-19 test result, they should immediately self-quarantine in their home and notify the community’s Director of Nursing who will review next steps.
What if a Lifespace team member tests positive for COVID-19?
- If a Lifespace team member receives a positive COVID-19 test result, they should not report to work and should immediately notify their HR Director who will provide the appropriate resources and support.
How does Lifespace Communities determine who gets tested for COVID-19?
We are closely following the CDC and local and state health department testing guidelines. In general, residents and team members who may have had prolonged contact with individuals who have tested positive for the virus or those with symptoms of COVID-19 are being given testing priority. See the CDC guidelines: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/testing.html
Can I visit my loved ones at one of the Lifespace communities?
We are following all federal, state and local mandates related to visitor restrictions, and we are taking the following measures to protect our residents and team members.
Residential Living, Assisted Living, Skilled Nursing and Memory Care:
- No visitors are allowed.
- Exceptions are made only for end-of-life visits and critical care by health professionals.
- Those approved for end-of-life visits will be required to wash their hands, complete a screening questionnaire, receive a temperature check and be educated on infection control. Visitors will be provided and required to wear a facemask, and those entering skilled nursing will be required to wear gloves.
Can family members deliver essential items like medication and groceries or pick up a resident for a doctor’s appointment?
Yes, family members may drop off essential items and assist with critical care appointments. However, they must pass appropriate screening questions, and their access may be restricted to certain areas of the community. Please contact your community’s management team for more information on centralized drop-off and pick-up locations.
Have we enhanced our cleaning protocols? Should housekeeping team members be wearing masks when they enter to clean?
Our housekeeping team members in all levels of care have received training on proper COVID-19 cleaning protocols and follow guidelines issued by the CDC including enhanced cleaning and disinfection processes for common areas. Along with following the team member screening protocols when entering the community, our teams use CDC-approved cleaning products and protective gear as required when providing care and services. We have implemented a universal mask policy for all of our team members, including housekeeping, and we continue to follow the CDC and state health department recommendations for the use of PPE to protect our residents and team members.
Are you screening your employees that help my family members?
All team members are being screened for elevated temperatures and signs of respiratory illness prior to starting their shifts.
Are residents allowed to leave their rooms?
Residents are strongly encouraged to only leave the community for essential needs such as medication, groceries and critical medical appointments, but yes, in most cases, residents are allowed to leave their rooms. We have asked residents not to gather in communal areas or individual apartments, but they may leave their rooms to take walks or get some fresh air. We do ask all residents to maintain social distancing and to follow all the CDC-recommended guidelines, including washing their hands often, using hand sanitizer and staying home as much as possible.
In accordance with the recommendations of the CDC, we will ask our residents with respiratory infections or suspected COVID-19 to self-isolate in their homes for the protection of others in the community.