Covid-19 Questions and Answers
Answers from Brian Phelps, CEO and Theresa DeMastus, Regional Administrator from Valley Care Management:
Has anyone at the facility tested positive for COVID-19? Yes, we have had employees test positive. However, at this time no residents have tested positive. We have a plan in place when positive cases occur, will follow directions from the Virginia Health Department (VDH), and guidelines from the Center of Disease Control (CDC).
What is the facility's communication plan? Communication is extremely important from the facility and well as from our residents, resident’s representative/family, and our staff. We have set up several different ways to communicate, from emailing, paper mailing, phone calling, and virtual meetings. We take into consideration individual’s preferred form of communication.
What is the facility doing to prevent infections? The facility has an approved infection control plan, all staff are trained of proper infection control measures. The infection control plan has been updated to include SAR-COV-19 (COVID-19) virus. Increased cleaning of high touched surfaces, employee facial coverings, as well as additional monitoring has been implemented since the COVID pandemic began.
Is the staff and medical personnel screened before entering the facility? Yes. Every person needing to enter the building, is screened using the Virginia Department of Health Screening form, has their temperature checked, and must properly wear an approved facial covering (mask) prior to entering the facility.
Are staff and residents being tested for Covid 19? At this time testing is only being performed as ordered by a primary care provider for staff and residents. When appropriate, facility wide testing may be required and will follow our “COVID Operational Plan” and any current additional guidelines from the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and Center of Disease Control (CDC).
I am looking for a place for my mother, is it safe for her to move in? Resident and staff safety is one of our top priorities. We have implemented additional resident and employee health screenings, increased cleaning of high touch surfaces, and other procedures that are recommended. We encourage you to speak to the facility administrator for any specific concerns.
What level of medical care is the facility capable of providing? We are able to provide multiple levels of care including additional support, when appropriate, from Home Health and Hospice Agencies. Potential residents are assessed prior to admission. Current residents are reassessed anytime there is a change in condition or needs and at least annually. Anytime a resident’s level of care exceeds the facility’s ability to provide what the is needed; the resident, the family, the physician, and the facility administrator will discuss what may be the best option for the resident. This may include having the physician order additional tests, screenings, or blood work; have therapy prescribed; acquiring a hospice consult; or possible transfer to a more appropriate setting.
How are activities and healthy living programs being maintained? From the start of this pandemic, we strive to maintain normal day to day activities. Some activities have been altered to increase safety and have been received positively. We encourage our residents to use the secured outside areas to get fresh air and to soak up some vitamin D, the natural way.
Are you accepting new residents? Yes. Along with our normal admission procedures, we do required negative COVID-19 tests results and the resident be symptom free at admission. More specifics may be provided at the time you are ready.
How can I visit my loved one? Currently we have a designated inside area for visitations that provide safe visitations that are easy to sanitize and maintain between visits by staff. These visitations require scheduling a date and time, usually coordinated with our activity’s director. We also can provide virtual visits using technology, such as “Face time” or “Zoom”), to provide you additional opportunities to visit your loved one.
How can I check on my loved one? We encourage you to call us at the facility anytime to check on your loved one. However, if calling is not the best option for you, please feel free to email the facility administrator for an update.
Has anyone at the facility tested positive for COVID-19? Yes, we have had employees test positive. However, at this time no residents have tested positive. We have a plan in place when positive cases occur, will follow directions from the Virginia Health Department (VDH), and guidelines from the Center of Disease Control (CDC).
What is the facility's communication plan? Communication is extremely important from the facility and well as from our residents, resident’s representative/family, and our staff. We have set up several different ways to communicate, from emailing, paper mailing, phone calling, and virtual meetings. We take into consideration individual’s preferred form of communication.
What is the facility doing to prevent infections? The facility has an approved infection control plan, all staff are trained of proper infection control measures. The infection control plan has been updated to include SAR-COV-19 (COVID-19) virus. Increased cleaning of high touched surfaces, employee facial coverings, as well as additional monitoring has been implemented since the COVID pandemic began.
Is the staff and medical personnel screened before entering the facility? Yes. Every person needing to enter the building, is screened using the Virginia Department of Health Screening form, has their temperature checked, and must properly wear an approved facial covering (mask) prior to entering the facility.
Are staff and residents being tested for Covid 19? At this time testing is only being performed as ordered by a primary care provider for staff and residents. When appropriate, facility wide testing may be required and will follow our “COVID Operational Plan” and any current additional guidelines from the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and Center of Disease Control (CDC).
I am looking for a place for my mother, is it safe for her to move in? Resident and staff safety is one of our top priorities. We have implemented additional resident and employee health screenings, increased cleaning of high touch surfaces, and other procedures that are recommended. We encourage you to speak to the facility administrator for any specific concerns.
What level of medical care is the facility capable of providing? We are able to provide multiple levels of care including additional support, when appropriate, from Home Health and Hospice Agencies. Potential residents are assessed prior to admission. Current residents are reassessed anytime there is a change in condition or needs and at least annually. Anytime a resident’s level of care exceeds the facility’s ability to provide what the is needed; the resident, the family, the physician, and the facility administrator will discuss what may be the best option for the resident. This may include having the physician order additional tests, screenings, or blood work; have therapy prescribed; acquiring a hospice consult; or possible transfer to a more appropriate setting.
How are activities and healthy living programs being maintained? From the start of this pandemic, we strive to maintain normal day to day activities. Some activities have been altered to increase safety and have been received positively. We encourage our residents to use the secured outside areas to get fresh air and to soak up some vitamin D, the natural way.
Are you accepting new residents? Yes. Along with our normal admission procedures, we do required negative COVID-19 tests results and the resident be symptom free at admission. More specifics may be provided at the time you are ready.
How can I visit my loved one? Currently we have a designated inside area for visitations that provide safe visitations that are easy to sanitize and maintain between visits by staff. These visitations require scheduling a date and time, usually coordinated with our activity’s director. We also can provide virtual visits using technology, such as “Face time” or “Zoom”), to provide you additional opportunities to visit your loved one.
How can I check on my loved one? We encourage you to call us at the facility anytime to check on your loved one. However, if calling is not the best option for you, please feel free to email the facility administrator for an update.
