Stay up to date on how we are handling COVID-19 (novel coronavirus), protecting our residents, their families, our staff and our community.

Covid-19

If you think you may have been exposed to COVID-19 or develop a fever and symptoms, such as cough or difficulty breathing, call your healthcare provider for medical advice.

Click here to view our indoor visitation guidelines for residents and visitors

Click here to view our COVID Visitation Policy 

We are prepared. We are ready. We are here to protect you and your loved ones, while helping you maintain the connections we all need. Nothing is more important.

As the global COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) pandemic evolves, we are continuing our efforts on the health and safety of our residents, their families, our staff and our community. In doing this, we continue consulting with the proper clinical and infectious disease authorities, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the State of Illinois, and local health authorities. In accordance with guidance from these experts, we’ve developed dynamic procedures in our care center designed to prevent or reduce the risk of transmission of the virus while ensuring the quality of life that our residents deserve and expect.

We continue to monitor the pandemic closely and stand prepared to make quick adjustments to the efforts outlined below in response to changing conditions. Our efforts fall into four major categories.

Testing and screening:

  • Comprehensive daily cleaning with an EPA approved disinfectant
  • Screening all staff at the start of each shift and again halfway through each shift. Screening includes temperature checks and a list of questions, following CDC guidelines. 
  • Testing staff and residents for COVID-19 based on current protocols and availability of testing; this includes our staff being required to immediately report any signs or symptoms of illness should they develop during a shift.
  • Residents are monitored by licensed staff multiple times a day to detect possible other indications of COVID-19. This includes taking full sets of vital signs including pulse oximetry every 8 hours and monitoring for shortness of breath, new sore throat, new cough, fever, chills, myalgia, headache, new loss of taste or smell, nausea, and vomiting. In the event of concerning results, the resident would be quarantined and tested. Should your loved one need to be tested, the family will be informed.

Protection, distancing and similar changes:

  • Restricted visitation
  • No communal activities or dining
  • Universal masking of staff
  • Placing a mask on the resident when care is provided, if tolerated
  • No non-essential appointments
  • Dedicated staff for the care center 
  • Hand sanitizer readily available for employee and resident use; encouraging residents to wash their hands and hand sanitize
  • Utilization of PPE-gloves, gowns, surgical masks, googles, and face shields
  • Social distancing of residents
  • Transmission-based precautions 
  • The resident doors are closed unless it is a safety risk.
  • Additional enhanced infection control precautions

Ongoing education:

Ongoing education and monitoring of staff on current public health guidelines; this will continue as the understanding of COVID-19 continues to evolve.

Connecting with loved ones:

  • We know how important it is to connect with loved ones, especially during this difficult time. We are making available alternate means of communication to ensure your loved ones can stay in contact with family and friends, such as video conferencing (Skype, FaceTime), Facebook, text messaging, email or phone calls. Phones are available in all rooms, except in the secured unit.
  • Families and visitors may visit at the windows. We encourage visitors to let us know if they will be visiting in this way, so we can have your loved one at the window when you arrive.