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COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Update

Visitation

Vaccine Letter to Residents and Families

Vaccine Information

Helpful Resources

To Our Residents and Family Members:

We know many of you may be concerned about the spread of COVID-19 (the new coronavirus) being reported in the media and how it may impact us here at Colonial Lodge Assisted Living & Memory Care.   Ensuring residents are cared for in a safe and healthy environment is our greatest concern.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have recommended a variety of steps that we are implementing to help reduce the potential for the virus to enter our building.  However, we need your help in battling COVID-19.  By staying informed regarding our community’s policies, you can help protect the residents, as well as prevent the spread throughout the community.

At this time, we are able to allow both inside and outside visitation, within the limits set forth by Governor Abbott and HHSC (Health & Human Services Commission).  Outdoor visitations include porch visits, closed window visits and car parades.  Inside visitations include end of life visits and Essential Caregiver (EC) visits.  Below are a list of all visitation guidelines:

OUTDOOR VISITATION GUIDELINES

  • Closed window visitation will continue to be allowed, as it has been since March 2020.
  • All visitors must be screened per CDC guidelines and Community rules.
  • All visitors MUST always wear a mask while on property.
  • NO PHYSICAL CONTACT will be allowed and social distancing of at least ten (10) feet must always be practiced during outside visitation.
  • Once visitors are checked in, the resident will be escorted outside to the visitation area.
  • All visits will be supervised by a staff member during the entire visit.
  • Visitation areas will be sanitized between each scheduled visit.
  • We reserve the right to cancel scheduled visits due to, but not limited to, weather conditions, outside temperatures, staffing issues, etc.
  • Tuesday and Thursday ONLY from 9:00am until 5:00pm
    • Thirty (:30) minute increments, last scheduled visit at 4:30pm
    • Visitors must call (903) 454-6636, ask to speak with Shane or Malynda, and schedule the visit AT LEAST 24 HOURS IN ADVANCE.

ESSENTIAL CAREGIVER VISITATION GUILDELINES

  • The resident (or legal representative) will designate two (2) Essential Caregivers (who may be family/friend/other) that will be allowed to visit with the resident in their room (or other designated area). If either delegated visitor is unable to visit for any reason, no other family/friend/other can be delegated to visit in their place.
  • The two (2) Essential Caregivers MUST have a NEGATIVE COVID-19 test result on file with our office within 14 days of the initial visit with the resident.
  • The two (2) Essential Caregivers MUST always wear a surgical mask or N95 mask during their visit. Cloth masks are not permitted for inside visits by the Essential Caregiver.  It is the responsibility of the Essential Caregiver to provide their own surgical or N95 masks.
  • There may be only one (1) Essential Caregiver during any scheduled visit, and only 1 visit per designated day.
  • All visitors must be screened per CDC guidelines and Community rules
  • The resident MUST wear a facemask at all times during the visit.
  • The Essential Caregiver will remain in the room with the resident at all times during their visit.
  • There MAY be PHYSICAL CONTACT between the delegated visitor and the resident.
  • We reserve the right to cancel scheduled visits due to, but not limited to, weather conditions, staffing issues, etc.
  • Tuesday and Thursday ONLY from 9:00am until 5:00pm
    • Thirty (:30) minute increments, last scheduled visit at 4:30pm
    • Visitors must call (903) 454-6636, ask to speak with Shane or Malynda, and schedule the visit AT LEAST 24 HOURS IN ADVANCE.

We understand there may be extenuating circumstances involved in the care of your loved one, and we will be proactively reaching out to you directly to manage these needs on a case by case basis. If you have not been contacted and/or require additional information, please contact us at (903) 454-6636.  We understand that connecting with family members is incredibly important, and there are a variety of other ways you might consider connecting with them.  These may include telephone, email, text, video chat, or social media. 

Our community is following the recommendations of the CDC on prevention steps, including following strict handwashing procedures, and in many circumstances, wearing gowns and gloves when interacting with residents who are sick. Our personal care attendants (PCAs) and Nurse Manger are monitoring residents and employees for fever or respiratory symptoms and restricting residents with fever or acute respiratory symptoms to their room.  If they must leave the room for medically necessary procedures, they are having them wear a facemask (if tolerated).  In general, for care of residents with undiagnosed respiratory infection, Standard, Contact, and Droplet Precautions with eye protection are being implemented unless suspected diagnosis requires Airborne Precautions.

Please understand that health guidelines continue to change rapidly to meet the needs of an evolving situation.  We are staying up-to-date with the CDC recommendations as they are updated, along with local and state health departments, and will modify our strategy based on said guidance.  We will alert families to these changes as quickly as possible.  Please consider following us on social media and our website for more immediate notification of policy changes.

It is our greatest honor to be your safe haven, a place of wellness, and a home away from home.  We are committed to maintaining a safe and healthy environment for you or your loved one.  Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact our center at: (903) 454-6636. For additional information or updates, please visit the CDC’s coronavirus disease information page.

Sincerely,

Malynda Poarch
Executive Director