Update From Administrator – September 11, 2020
Dear Families,
Thank You for all your continued support during this difficult time. We are doing our best to keep our residents safe and happy. Beacon Brook Health Center currently has four COVID-19 positive cases. We are conducting contact tracing to mitigate the spread of the virus. The facility is also continuing to take vitals for residents once a shift and staff members are taking temperatures twice a shift. Per DPH guidelines, we are currently testing both residents and staff weekly.
We are working to develop a new visitation plan and policy for our center that is thoughtful, safe, and compliant with the new guidance. We will be in touch with you as soon as we have finalized the plan. In the meantime, our current visitation policy remains in place and all scheduled visits will go on as planned, without interruption.
Current Guidelines:
–The resident and their visitor(s) must always wear a facial mask.
–Social distancing must be maintained throughout the entire visit. This means that the resident and their visitor(s) must always be at least six (6) feet apart.
–Person to person contact between the resident and visitor(s) is prohibited.
–No items may be transferred between visitor(s), residents, and staff.
–The visits will be for a maximum of thirty (30) minutes.
–The maximum number of visitors allowed at one time is three (3).
–Visits will only be scheduled before sundown.
–A facility staff member will be required to maintain the resident and visitor(s) in their line of sight.
— No pets are allowed on visits.
We would also like to clarify that the new CT DPH guidance did specifically add what is called a “compassionate care visit.” These compassionate care visits are limited to two circumstances: end stage of life and a significant change of condition. It is only these specific compassionate care visits that can occur inside our center. No other indoor visits will be allowed by DPH at this time. As Beacon Brook Health Center is experiencing cases of COVID, all inside visits, except end stage of life, are temporarily put on hold.
A few quick points:
•As you may have heard on the news, nursing homes will begin receiving “Rapid” COVID testing machines from the federal government over the coming weeks. The state of CT DPH has approved their use for staff, residents, and visitors. As soon as we receive the machines, have conducted training on them, and have the necessary supplies to conduct the tests – we look forward to putting them to use! More information will follow on this as it becomes available.
•Although we are following social distance guidelines, handwashing protocols, hygiene recommendations, and wearing masks in our center – it is still STRONGLY encouraged that all staff and residents receive an annual Influenza Vaccine. While the vaccine is not in the center yet, please consider completing a consent form, in advance to ensure you loved one receives their vaccine.
Just a final reminder, Grandparent’s Day is coming up on Sunday, September 13th and we would like to do something special for our residents. If you have a grandparent in our facility and would like to send them a card, grandchildren pictures and/or drawings please drop off with the receptionist. Please remember to label all items with name of grandparent.
Thank you for your efforts.
Thank you and please stay safe and healthy!
Melissa Vivo, Administrator