All posts tagged: "coronavirus"
Home Posts Tagged "coronavirus"
COVID-19 Update
Weekly COVID-19 Testing: All staff and resident tests are negative for coronavirus.
COVID-19 Update – Clinic
Good evening families, residents, and staff. Tomorrow January 20th is the 2nd Covid-19 Vaccine Clinic that Walgreens will be returning to provide more vaccinations to residents and staff of OLA from 9AM-5PM. We are glad to have this vaccine as part of the solution to a future when we can all gather again and be with those we love. Continue to wear your masks and wash your hands often. Stay 6 feet apart. All residents and staff will be monitored for 15 minutes following the injection as a safety precaution. Please wear short sleeves, if possible.
COVID-19 Update 5-5
During the last week of April, a member of Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home staff notified the administration prior to the start of the next shift that they had tested positive for COVID-19. The employee is currently sheltering-in-place at home and will be required to have two PCR tests done at a minimum of 24 hours apart. Both tests must be negative. The employee’s case will then be reviewed by the Administrator and Director of Nursing before they can return to work.
Although there are no other known COVID-19 cases at this time, as a result of this positive case, all residents will have their temperatures and oxygen saturation taken every four hours; employees will be tested at the beginning of their shift, and at the half-way point of their shift each day.
Prior to the employee’s positive test, arrangements were made between the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and OLA’s Administration to provide COVID-19 tests for all residents and staff. If any resident tests positive for COVID-19, a wing separate from all other resident wings has been prepared to provide care.
OLA has been taking extreme precautions and exceeded what has been required by the IDPH and CDC from the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak to protect the residents and staff. The OLA Administration is also following guidelines on the COVID-19 checklist put forward by the IDPH. OLA is also keeping residents and their family members aware of ongoing precautions being taken.
As the weather warms, residents will be allowed to go outside wearing a mask and exercising proper social distancing one-to-one with a member of the OLA clinical staff to enjoy some sun and fresh air. Although no visitors are allowed, except in the case of a resident in hospice care who is actively transitioning, residents can receive phone calls and enjoy face-to-face visits using Facetime.
All questions should be directed to OLA’s Administrator at 815-725-6631.
COVID-19 Update 4-11
As of today, April 11th, OLA has no cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) within our community. We are continuing to practice both staff and resident social distancing protocol and safety measures. Residents are encouraged to wear cloth masks when moving about the building, as well as keep a proper distance when socializing.
Important reminder for families: As the weather improves, we are encouraging residents to get some fresh air, enjoy our patios and take a walk. For your loved ones’ ongoing safety, please schedule your visits only. You cannot talk to your loved one up close through their window or go with them for a walk outside. Unapproved visits put our community at high risk because they do not guarantee a safe distance. Also, we are still not accepting any food donations or drop-offs. This includes all foods, snacks and beverages, homemade or sealed from a store.
We understand that these are difficult times and appreciate your ongoing cooperation and support. Please help us keep our community well by following these guidelines. Our team is brainstorming some additional ideas for residents to connect with their loved ones, so check back soon. Lastly, we are still collecting personal protective equipment (PPE) and cleaning supply donations at our entrance. To view our list of what items will be accepted, please click here.
Temporarily apart, together at heart. God bless.
OLA General Line: 815-725-6631
OLA Coronavirus Update Hotline: 815-553-4100
Director of Nursing: 815-553-4128
Schedule Visits: volunteercoordinator@olaretirement.org
Connecting with Loved Ones During Social Distancing
In response to coronavirus (COVID-19), many senior living communities have been closed to the public in efforts to reduce the chances of residents catching the virus. This includes loved ones and friends of residents. Programs and activities that were put in place to reduce social isolation are now temporarily cancelled. While social distancing is challenging on residents and families, the response to combat separation is immense.
At Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home (OLA), residents’ mental health and wellbeing are taken into account along with their physical health. “We are doing one-on-one activities and therapy sessions with residents,” states Interim Administrator, Dane Moscatelli. Since residents are spending most of their time in their rooms, OLA encourages families to keep in touch via phone calls to loved ones, as well scheduled calls with the OLA Activity Coordinator at 815-553-0449. Tech savvy residents are also finding ways to reach out via text, FaceTime, Skype, email or social media.
A phone call does not have to be long to make an impact. Tell your loved one about your day, let the grandchildren say, “hello,” or recommend a funny show on television. Help your loved one feel in control of their current situation rather than restricted and isolated. Let them know you will call again, so they have a future plan to look forward to.
OLA is also integrating scheduled face-to-face visits through the window at OLA’s entrance. This gives loved ones the chance to see one another. Seeing a loved one face-to-face can go a long way in reassuring a person that everything is ok. To schedule a visit with a loved one or friend send an email to volunteercoordinator@olaretirement.org.
Social distancing does not mean residents must be socially isolated. This is a time when connection and community are essential.
For direct updates as OLA continues to monitor the situation, call 815-553-4100, let it go to voicemail and listen to all updates.
Enhance your quality of living with Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home, a resident-centered, caring community. To speak with OLA’s Admissions Director regarding what level of care is best for you or your loved one, call 815-725-6631.
Donations
Our OLA administration, staff, doctors, nurses, CNAs and residents would like to extend our sincere thank you to our wonderful OLA community and friends. Your donations, kind thoughts, supportive gestures and ongoing patience have been appreciated. We are continuing to care for our residents and monitor the day-to-day updates from the IDPH and CDC as this situation continues.
Looking ahead, we want to remain as prepared as possible for the likelihood of reduced supplies. We are asking you to help us ensure our supplies for cleaning and personal protective equipment (PPE) are sustained. If you can spare supplies, we have provided a list below of needed items. (Please note: We will not accept any food donations.)
- Clorox or Lysol wipes
- Clorox or Lysol disinfectant sprays
- Hand sanitizer/soap
- Temporal thermometers (No contact infrared thermometers)
- Ear thermometer probe covers
- Masks
- Medical gowns
- Medical gloves
- Cotton fabric
- Laundry detergent (Free & Gentle for sensitive skin if possible)
We have set up a donation sign located inside the first sliding door of our main entrance where items can be dropped off.
Prayers to all of you. God bless!
COVID-19 Update 3-26
We do not have any cases of the COVID-19 strain of Coronavirus in our building.
The Center for Medicare Services and Illinois Department of Public Health issued restrictions that are still in affect today. We are announcing these restrictions to residents as we receive them. We still are not allowing visitors other than necessary medical staff and employees of OLA.
Group gatherings are being held to less than 10 people. As for activities, prayer groups and other group gatherings, we are doing them on each unit to make sure residents are getting socialization. We are doing our best to keep resident engaged. We encourage families to call their loved ones and keep in touch. You can call and schedule a window visit or phone call with the Activity Coordinator at 815-553-0449.
If you need to drop off medication or a necessary product for a loved one, contact Mary Ann Piercy at 815-553-4108.
We will update you with more information as time goes on. Please call this number at 815-553-4128 to keep up to date on news we may have.
Thank you for your continued patience and prayers.
To read our previous coronavirus (COVID-19) statement, released 3-14, click here.
IMPORTANT: COVID-19 Update
March 14, 2020
Dear families and friends of OLA,
You have most likely heard from us already at the facility about our precautionary measures being taken regarding coronavirus (COVID-19). To confirm, we do not have any cases of the virus in our building, but we are taking measures to protect and keep our residents safe. If you have not heard already, we have closed the building to all visitors, volunteers, and church goers. We are also discouraging any residents from leaving the building unless it is for a medical emergency or necessary doctor’s appointment. We encourage families to call their loved ones and keep in touch. You can call and schedule this with the Activity Coordinator at 815-553-0449.
We understand that some families bring laundry, medications, or snacks to their loved ones. At this time, OLA will be doing all laundry. We will not accept any food or unnecessary items at the doors. If you need to drop off medication for a loved one, contact Mary Ann Piercy at 815-553-4108.
New restrictions as of March 14th were put in place in accordance with Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). These are that residents will eat in their rooms as well as group activities and group therapy sessions have been cancelled. We will be doing one-on-one activities and therapy sessions.
As we continue to monitor the situation, we will have more information to communicate to you whether by mail or phone. We have created a hot line that will have updates on it. Call 815-553-4100, let it go to voicemail and you can listen to the updates. We will update it whenever we have new information to share.
Thank you for your understanding and patience.