Dear Guerin Woods Families & Friends:
As I mentioned a few weeks ago, we now have the assistance of two National Guard soldiers. We expect them to be with us through the end of the year. Among other things they will be assisting with Outdoor Visitation. (For those of you who may wish to schedule Outdoor Visitation, please take note of the changes below.)
I have received several inquiries regarding elders attendance of weddings, funerals, and family events. Given the ongoing rise in local positivity rates (…Floyd County is now 17.9%!), federal, state, and local public health authorities have strongly discouraged all such activities. (See, e.g., https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays.html.) Nevertheless, if you decide to take your elder to an off-campus event, please know that upon return we will have no choice but to place them in isolation for 14 days, during which time we will monitor them very closely for symptoms of COVID-19. This is a requirement under federal and state guidelines. Our staff will use single use gowns (i.e., one for each elder interaction), in addition to N95 respirators, goggles, and gloves during this isolation period to prevent the possible spread of COVID-19 to the other elders in the Villa. If you have any questions, please feel free to call me.
- Guerin Woods COVID-19 Statistics
Total # of Elder Cases | New Elder Cases in Last 24 Hrs | Elder Deaths in Last 24 Hrs | Instances of 3 or More Elders/Staff w/ New Onset ofRespiratory Symptoms w/in 72 hours of Each Other |
6* | 0 | 0 | 0 |
*COVID-19 positive test dates: 8/5/20 (1), 10/14/20 (1), 10/21/20 (1), 10/23/20 (2), 10/29/20 (1)
- Examples of Facility Infection Mitigation/Prevention/Planning Measures
Limited visitation |
Decontamination of all personal items delivered by elder families and friends |
Staff Competency Reinforcement/Training: Infection Control; COVID-19; Proper PPE Use; Handwashing; Social Distancing, etc. |
Daily staff reminders to self-monitor for fever and symptoms of COVID-19 and to stay home if unwell |
Cohorting of staff (among Villas) |
Exclusion of non-essential staff |
Staff use of masks and goggles/face shields: 100% of the time in Villas |
Increased cleaning frequency & use of COVID-19/EPA approved sanitizing solutions for equipment, frequently touched surfaces and common areas |
Placement of alcohol-based hand sanitizer throughout the Villas and in elders' rooms |
Placement of tissues and trash cans in elder's rooms and in common areas for respiratory hygiene, cough etiquette, and source control |
Elder social distancing and use of masks (for those able) when in common areas |
Transition to telephonic/video meetings whenever possible, e.g., Care Plan Meetings |
Use of telehealth when appropriate |
Creation and use of signage to remind elders and staff re PPE usage, cough etiquette, social distancing, handwashing |
Creation of signage in anticipation of positive COVID-19 cases re proper use of PPE, precautions, etc. |
Adoption of pharmacy policies & practices that ensure availability of all necessary medications |
Pre-shift health assessment/screening of every staff member, including all CDC-defined COVID-19 symptoms |
Assessment of elders for CDC-defined COVID-19 symptoms every shift |
Cancellation of all non-essential medical appointments, e.g., routine eye exams |
Acquisition of additional/excess supplies, e.g., ABHS, soap, paper towels, sanitizing solutions, PPE, oxygen concentrators |
Conversion of separate on-site facility to staff sleeping quarters, including procurement of beds, linens, etc. |
Conversion of separate on-site facility to accommodate COVID-19 positive elders, including but not limited to new flooring, rental of beds, use of donated storage and office furniture, and waiver application |
Conversion of separate on-site facility to accommodate COVID-19 supplies, including preparation of individual kits for ease of use |
Staging of COVID-19 materials in anticipation of providing immediate response |
Preparation for ability to teach CNA/PCA courses on-site, including but not limited to staff training, licensure, procurement of necessary course materials, etc., in anticipation of potential staffing shortages |
Daily meetings among executive and senior clinical staff re newest state and federal COVID-19 regulations & guidance (and changes thereto), associated changes to policies/procedures, education/training, facility changes, etc. |
Extensive contingency planning, including adoption of new policies & procedures (and frequent amendment of same as guidelines from federal and state public health authorities change) |
Frequent coordination with local and state public health and emergency response authorities |
Guerin Woods Contacts
Contact (Title) | Steve Brian (Administrator) | Susan Gernert (President & CEO) |
Cell Phone | 812-399-9046 | 502-830-4336 |
Email |
Guerin Woods Current Visitation Policy.
- Visitation - Indoor Visitation is currently suspended. You may, however, scheduling Outdoor Visitation. With the exception of those elders who are in isolation(new admissions), all elders in Villas 1-6, and 8 may participate in Outdoor Visitation. These Villas are currently Green. Should the weather not be appropriate or should we need to reclassify a Villa as Yellow, which can happen on a moment's notice, Visitation will be cancelled, but we will try to contact those with scheduled visits as soon as possible. Please do not plan on any outdoor visits when it is raining or the temperature is below 55°F. (On an overcast day, even temperatures of 55°F or greater may not be conducive to visitation.)
A new Visitor form will be required and will be available in the lower garage of Sister Barbara's house, adjacent to the Administration Building. Our National Guard soldiers have access to the schedule and will be expecting you. They will take your temperature, oversee completion of, and sign your acknowledgment and health survey form. They will also ensure that the garden area is prepared and that the Villa staff are aware of your visit. Please be sure to thank these gentlemen for their assistance!
On weekends, if our National Guard soldiers are not available, you will find forms on the front door of the Administration Building. Villa staff will perform the duties being assumed by our soldiers Monday through Friday.
- Outdoor Visitation Schedule for Green Villas (presuming appropriate weather):
Mon | Tu | Wed | Th | Fri | Sat | Sun |
10 – 11 am 1 – 4 pm | 6 – 7 pm | 10 – 11 am 1 – 4 pm | 10 – 11 am 1 – 4 pm | 6 – 7 pm | 2 – 3 pm | 2 – 3 pm |
- Location of Outdoor Visitation: Villa garden area.
- Permitted Length of Outdoor Visits: 15 minutes.
- Permitted Frequency of Outdoor Visits: Three per week.
- Outdoor Visitation Scheduling Method: Please schedule your outdoor visits no less than 48 hours in advance using our "Simply Book Me" application, https://guerinwoods.simplybook.me/v2/. This allows us to ensure sufficient staffing to facilitate your visit. You may schedule visits on a two-week rolling basis. Only available time slots will be visible. You will receive email reminders of your visits. Should you need to cancel a visit, please do so as soon as possible via the "Simply Book Me" application in order to make your time slot available to another family.
- Outdoor Visitation Procedure:
- At least 10 to 15 minutes before your visit, please check-in at the Administration Building, where you and anyone who expects to participate in Outdoor Visitation will be required to complete a "Restrictions Acknowledgement & Health Survey."
- On weekends, please stop by the Administration Building; if there are no staff, you will find the necessary forms on a clipboard and be directed to leave your completed documentation at the Villa.
- Outdoor Visitation Restrictions
- We prefer that all visitors be 12 years of age or older. Younger visitors must be able to comply with all other visitor requirements associated with infection prevention.
- Each visitor must complete a Restrictions Acknowledgement & Health Survey. (Those visitors whose body temperature or responses indicate the potential for exposure will not be permitted to visit.)
- The elder and all visitors must wear a face mask during the entirety of your visit.
- The elder and all visitors must maintain social distancing during the entirety of your visit.
- All visitors must use alcohol-based hand rub before and after your outdoor visit.
- Compassionate Care Visitation - Compassionate Care Indoor Visitation is limited primarily to end-of-life situations. Guerin Woods will also consider Compassionate Care visitation for elders who (a) meet objective, clinical criteria indicating a meaningful decline in their psychosocial wellbeing and (b) have not or cannot benefit from other forms of visitation. Guerin Woods will proactively contact the POAs of elders who meet these criteria. If you would like to contact us regarding the possibility of compassionate care visitation, you are welcome to do so by sending an email to guerinwoodsvisitations@pssmsi.org. Please know that we will assess any such request on a case-by-case basis, based on a set of objective criteria. Those who are approved will be instructed – as appropriate – regarding visitation scheduling, duration, frequency, location, and other restrictions, such as training, COVID-19 testing, etc.
- Facilitated Phone Calls & Video Chats - Please call your elder's Villa on the day you wish to have your call or video chat to confirm the availability of staff. Please know that our staff remain very busy throughout the day, and they may ask that you be flexible regarding the time and length of your call or video chat. Individual CNAs cannot commit to staff availability other than their own because they do not know what the demands may or may not be on another shift or when they are not working.
- Closed Window Visits - Please continue your closed window visits! Risk-free. Mask-free. ...and no social distancing required!
- Testing & Transfers: Guerin Woods is following the guidance and directives of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH), and Floyd County Health Department regarding COVID-19 testing. If an elder were to test positive for COVID-19 and Guerin Woods was unable to provide the necessary care, the elder would be transferred to a hospital or other appropriate facility.
- General Information: For more information about COVID-19, please refer to: https://www.coronavirus.in.gov/2400.htm; https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html. You can also address general questions about COVID-19 to the ISDH COVID-19 Call Center, available 24/7, at 877-826-0011.
- Indiana Long-Term Care Ombudsman: The Ombudsman is NOT a representative of the facility, ISDH, or any other organization. However, we do want to provide accurate information to ensure families are comfortable that their loved ones are as safe as possible and are able to make informed decisions.
Physical Address | Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman 402 West Washington Street, Room W451 Post Office Box 7083, MS 27 Indianapolis, Indiana 46207-7083 |
Phone Number | 800-622-4484 or 317-232-7134 |
Fax Number | 317-972-3285 |
Email | |
Website |
Susan
Susan Gernert
President & CEO
Providence Self Sufficiency Ministries, Inc.
Guerin, Inc.
The Meadows of Guerin, Inc.
502-830-4336 (cell)
8037 Unruh Drive
Georgetown, Indiana 47122
guerininc.org
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