The Journey Continues, Together.
With this week's slow re-opening of Texas, there is a glimmer of hope to life back to normal. For our communities and the SilverPoint Family the journey to normality is still a little further away. Fortunately, our residents, team members and families have brought levity to the situation with their love, support, and creative ways to make the most of this time. We have been blessed to welcome new residents and thankful for their patience and openness with the COVID-19 protocols we have in place. We want to thank family members for their trust in us with their loved ones during this time. We are HONORED.
We have talked at length in our updates about our core values and mission. We live and breathe them. To the Silverpoint family, it is second nature and what we do. Today I am happy to again inform you that as of today May 2, 2020 at 8:00 AM, there are no known COVID-19 cases at any of our communities. It is not by sheer luck but it is because of the support you all have given us in compliance, our team members in their diligence and continuously seeking and adjusting to new best practices.
We are asking that we continue to keep the current standards in place even though the state is slowly reopening. The health and well-being of our communities are our top priority. We have made it this far together, but the race is not over.
We want to take a special moment to discuss something that I hope will not only offer comfort to current resident families, but encouragement to those seeking support with their loved ones who are looking to make the move to a community. This time has been without a doubt difficult, at times scary, and the sense of powerlessness is something I believe most can identify with. We have had families come to us seeking support and we are here with open arms to support navigating this pivotal change in your loved one’s life, while at the same time protecting and supporting our current residents. So, I wanted to share the journey a new resident has when they move into a community in hopes to offer comfort and clarity to new and existing families.
Our goal is always to transition, engage and support.
Normally, a family would come and take a tour of the community and meet with the team to determine the resident’s needs and desires in looking for a new home. During COVID-19, we are conducting virtual tours so that everyone can still get a look around the community and also have a friendly face to talk with you about your questions.
If the decision is made to move in, we will still go through the normal assessment process as well as gathering all the pertinent information from the family and medical providers. The additional step that we are now requiring is a negative COVID test prior to the resident moving into the community.
When it comes time for the family to move in the resident’s furniture and belongings, we have also put in a few safeguards to protect everyone within the community. We are limiting the move in process to a 2-hour time-frame through a side entrance of the community. Each member of the move in team will be required to have a temperature screening along with some simple questions regarding your risk to exposure. Each member will also be required to use a side entrance while using masks, gloves, and sanitizer while not interacting with team members or current residents.
Following the move in, the resident will be welcomed into their new home by a few select members of our team. In order to protect the health of everyone within the community, the new resident will be required to remain isolated in the apartment for 14 days after admission with all meals and service provided within the apartment. Following this 2 week period, the resident will be allowed to enjoy the community along with all the other residents while still practicing social distancing.
We will take every effort possible to make sure that you remain connected to your loved one through video chats and phone calls. We will do our best to make this brief time as engaging and comforting as possible.
We know that it is a time where it may be confusing to know what to do or how to support. Below is a guidance and recommendations on ways you can help slow the spread. We can commit to you that we follow the CDC's recommendations.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/retirement/guidance-retirement-response.html
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/guidance-retirement-communities.pdf