Stay up to date on Solvere Living's COVID-19 ProtocolsLearn More
COVID-19 Vaccine Efforts | July 22, 2021
In June, I was cautiously optimistic by our country’s vaccination efforts, businesses were starting to open, and people were out and about. The United States had a partially vaccinated rate of 53 percent and fully vaccinated rate of 44 percent. The guidelines for wearing a mask and physical distancing had been relaxed. However, in the last few weeks, we have all been dismayed to hear about the highly infectious Delta variant, which has caused coronavirus cases to spike again. It’s been a roller coaster ride and a difficult time for everyone in senior living.
We are now pushing into the second half of 2021. Last month, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued updated guidance for long term care facilities, including assisted living communities. The Solvere COVID Response Team interpreted these guidelines and issued protocols for community team members to adhere to. Rest assured, we review the CDC guidelines in detail and are abundantly cautious in our own safety requirements. Team members continue to wear surgical masks while working in our communities. We have step by step protocols for COVID testing and resident visitation.
We need to take this one step at a time, continue to be diligent and be part of the solution. We will continue to do everything we can to keep residents and team members safe and will continue to communicate as we change protocols.
Thank you,
Kristin Ward
Chief Executive Officer
Click the links below to read the latest COVID-19 vaccination updates from Solvere Living:
The Centers for Disease Controls and Prevention (CDC) has issued updated guidance for long term care facilities including assisted living communities. Also, each state has its own executive orders that are to be followed and implemented. Based on this guidance, Solvere Living has issued protocols for its assisted and independent living and memory care communities.
Each state has its own executive orders that are to be followed and implemented. Therefore, Solvere Living has updated its own protocols for each community based on the CDC, federal, state and local guidelines; and the COVID-19 status in each state and local area with the guidance of each state’s Department of Health.
The following protocols are effective immediately:
Solvere Living Team Members
All community team members must continue to wear a surgical face mask, at all times, while working at the community. Team members can dine and socialize together in break rooms and remove their masks while eating or drinking but should continue to physically distance as much as possible.
COVID-19 Testing
Vaccination
Screening
Visitation
Visitation is permitted for all residents except in the following circumstances:
Symptom-Based Strategy for Discontinuing Transmission-Based Precautions
Residents with mild to moderate illness who are not severely immunocompromised:
Residents who were asymptomatic throughout their infection and are not severely immunocompromised:
Residents with severe to critical illness or who are severely immunocompromised:
Vaccinated and unvaccinated residents remain in quarantine until they have met criteria for release from quarantine.
Communities in outbreak status should follow guidance from state and local health authorities when visitation should be paused. If visitors are permitted at this time, the visitor must be counseled about their potential to be exposed to SARS-CoV-2 in the community during their visit.
Physical Distancing During Visitation
When both residents and their visitors are fully vaccinated, they can choose to have close contact (including touch) and not wear masks. However, the visitor should continue to wear masks and physically distance from other team members and other residents and visitors that are not part of their group at all other times while in the community.
If the resident is fully vaccinated, they can choose to have close contact (including touch) with their unvaccinated visitor(s) however both must continue to wear face masks.
Residents who just Moved or Returned to the Community
Group Activities and Programming
Communal Dining
Social Excursions Outside the Community
Residents taking social excursions outside of the community should be educated about the potential risks of public settings, especially if they have not been vaccinated. It is also important to remind residents to avoid crowds and poorly ventilated spaces.
Infection Control
Prevention measures for continued implementation include:
Infection Control-Meal Service for residents quarantining or isolating:
State Specifications
New Jersey
Texas
COVID-19 Visitation Protocols
Visitation protocols are being implemented in each community based on the Governor’s Executive orders for the state in which they reside. County guidelines are also followed, when required.
We are committed to implementing visit protocols for each community. The guidelines vary from state to state, as well as the types of visitors that are permitted to enter each community. Types of visitors, outside of essential health care personnel, who may now visit are defined as general visitors, compassionate care visitors, and essential visitors. The types of visits, including window visits, outdoor visits and in person visits are also based on a variety of factors, such as each state’s Executive Orders, required protocols and its COVID-19 status.
Every Solvere community continues to follow the Centers for Disease Control, federal and state guidelines pertaining to outbreak status, screenings and testing to ensure residents and team members are well; and to support the visitation process.
Each general manager will send a weekly correspondence to all residents and family members to keep them informed of the status of the community, residents and team members. As the outbreak status may change within a community, protocols will be adjusted accordingly. We appreciate everyone’s flexibility and support keeping residents safe, while working towards implementing meaningful connections that are shared between loved ones.
Please contact the community’s general manager directly with any questions or immediate concerns. Thank you for your ongoing support.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its guidelines and recommendations involving health care professionals, COVID-19 (C19) transmission and testing. Also, each state has its own executive orders that are to be followed and implemented. Therefore, Solvere Living has updated its own protocols for each community based on the CDC, federal, state and local guidelines; and the COVID-19 status in each state and local area with the guidance of each state’s Department of Health.
The following protocols are effective immediately:
Symptom-Based Strategy
Time-Based Strategy
Test-Based Strategy
Team members who are symptomatic:
Healthcare professionals who are not symptomatic:
Dear Residents, Team Members, Family and Friends:
As you are aware, each state is in a different phase as they slowly take steps to re-open safely. We have considered each state’s executive orders, CDC guidelines, and the volatility of COVID-19 and the prevalence of it in each community. Using this information, we have developed protocols to support each community as we slowly reopen dining, community spaces, amenities and group programs.
The following updated protocols are effective immediately: New Residents:
Outdoor Visits:
The community must not have any COVID-19 positive residents for four (4) weeks before the general manager can request outdoor visits , common areas and amenities to re-open (if permitted by the state and local government and unless a timeframe that exceeds the four (4) weeks is ordered by those agencies).
Fitness Centers, Common Areas, Beauty Salons, Dining Rooms, etc.:
Outside Providers:
Dear Residents, Team Members, Family and Friends:
We are all encouraged to see states beginning to reopen, and are looking forward to the day when things can return to normal for all of us. We’re happy to report that the majority of our communities have remained free of COVID-19, but we also understand that we must continue to remain vigilant for the safety of residents at Solvere-managed communities.
Each community continues to implement the latest protocols that have been developed based on the CDC recommendations and the local and state agencies for each community, and we continue to work closely with local and state health departments to implement these guidelines. As many states “phase in” the re-openings of retail stores and other businesses, we must continue to prioritize the safety of the residents and team members to minimize the opportunity for COVID to be introduced into a community.
At Solvere, we understand the uniqueness of every community and that it’s not a “one size fits all” solution. Each community is evaluated based on its individual needs and services, resident needs, and directives from governing agencies based on their location. We thank you for your understanding as we determine the appropriate timing of re-opening amenities, allowing visitors, and altering any protocols that are currently in place, which we will do as safely and thoughtfully as possible based on the information we have. We will continue to provide protocol updates and communicate with residents and families of each community individually as we transition through the various phases of re-opening within each state and each community.
To learn more about specific protocol updates and phases of re-opening for each community, we encourage you to contact your community of choice directly. Click on the community of your choice below to be directed to contact information for a community team member:
Dear Residents, Team Members, Family and Friends;
We are committed as always to full transparency and compliance with the latest COVID-19 guidelines and recommendations from the CDC, state and local governing authorities as well as best practices that will keep residents and team members safe and in good health.
Below are additional protocols as well as reminders from previous protocols that have been enacted. We extend our most sincere appreciation to our team members for their continued commitment and effort in caring for residents and each other during this difficult time.
Updated Protocol:
Limiting Community Access
Keep the front door locked to control access to the community and to ensure proper screening is occurring. Team members waiting to be screened for their shift should physically distance 6 feet apart.
**This includes when a resident is readmitted back to the community from another healthcare facility. They should be met at the door and the care of the resident taken over by our healthcare personnel.**
The only exceptions are:
1) EMS responding to a resident emergency
2) If EMS is required via stretcher transfer for the safe admission or readmission of the resident (and they should be screened first).
Masks
All community team members are to wear CE or Surgical face masks at all times, except for the situations described below.
All residents are to wear face masks if they leave their apartment for any reason.
Family member and movers are to not access any common areas of the community.
KN95 Mask Washing & Disinfecting Instructions
Dear Residents, Team Members, Family and Friends;
We are committed as always to full transparency and compliance with the latest COVID-19 guidelines and recommendations from the CDC, state and local governing authorities as well as best practices that will keep residents and team members safe and in good health.
Below are additional protocols as well as reminders from previous protocols that have been enacted. We extend our most sincere appreciation to our team members for their continued commitment and effort in caring for residents and each other during this difficult time.
Updated Protocol:
Respirator Mask - FIT Testing Procedures
Cleaning and Housekeeping Protocols
Dear Residents, Team Members, Family and Friends;
We are committed as always to full transparency and compliance with the latest COVID-19 guidelines and recommendations from the CDC, state and local governing authorities as well as best practices that will keep residents and team members safe and in good health.
Below are additional protocols as well as reminders from previous protocols that have been enacted. We extend our most sincere appreciation to our team members for their continued commitment and effort in caring for residents and each other during this difficult time.
Updated Protocol:
All screening and sign in logs must be filled out in their entirety. The information requested is important in helping to determine potential risks of COVID-19 being transmitted into the community.
Team Member Screenings:
Resident Screenings/Self-Isolation:
Residents must be free from symptoms for 72 consecutive hours prior to being removed from self-isolation.
PPE Preservation
**Please be aware of updated screening logs provided to the community which includes:
Essential Health Care Personnel:
Dear Residents, Team Members, Family and Friends;
We continue to be committed to keeping you informed on the latest COVID-19 guidelines and recommendations from the CDC, state and local governing authorities. These protocols can be challenging to follow and even unsettling to hear at times, and we are keeping each resident engaged, active and socialized through these transitions.
As you may be aware, federal and state agencies continue to provide stringent protocols around visiting senior living communities, self-isolation and physical distancing. We have elected to update our protocol according to these guidelines in the interest of protecting residents and team members.
New Entry And Visitation Protocols
We continue to restrict all visitors from entering the community, with the exception of:
The individuals who meet these criteria continue to go through our screening for symptoms and recent travel before being permitted to enter the community.
We strongly discourage any resident from leaving the community.
Effective immediately, any resident who leaves the community premises will be required to self-isolate for 14 days. Likewise, any resident moving into the community or returning from an emergency room visit, hospital admission or sub-acute rehab stay will also be required to self-isolate for 14 days upon their return. During the 14-day isolation, residents will receive enhanced screening for symptoms related to COVID-19. Our community teams are prepared to work closely with each resident and to provide assistance in meeting any needs a resident may have outside of the community including shopping and medication pickups.
New Dining Protocol
At this time, residents will no longer receive meals in the community dining room. To ensure the physical distancing recommendation of six feet between each resident is maintained, meals will be delivered three times a day to residents’ apartments. We will also be providing snacks and refreshments to each resident three times a day during wellness and activity check-ins.
Communicating With Family And Friends
Weekly Skype sessions are being made available and facilitated for each resident with their family members or friends.
We understand this is a difficult time for many. Thank you for your continued support as we implement these safety measures on behalf of the residents and team members. You can see updates here and on our community Facebook page as well.
Sincerely,
Rebecca Townsend
Chief Operating Officer
Lorie A. Dancy
Chief Wellness and Compliance Officer
Dear Residents, Team Members, Family and Friends;
As we continue to hear breaking news regarding COVID-19, we want to keep you fully updated about our safety precautions. Federal and state agencies continue to add more stringent orders and protocols around visiting senior living communities, including the frequency in screening anyone who enters the community, as well as residents. There are also new guidelines pertaining to the recommended number of individuals to be present at one time in a group setting. We have elected to update our protocol in the interest of protecting residents and team members.
Effective immediately, all team members will be screened at the beginning of each shift. Temperatures will be taken on all team members and essential healthcare personnel entering the community. Residents will also be screened daily for symptoms and exposure. We strongly discourage any resident from leaving the community. Leaving the community increases the exposure of COVID-19 to the resident who left the community, therefore, increasing the likelihood of bringing COVID-19 into the community. This would create an extreme threat to all other residents living in the community by increasing their likelihood of contracting COVID-19 and transmitting it to others. Any resident who has underlying conditions such as heart disease, pulmonary disease, liver disease, cancer and many more illnesses increases the risk of them being able to combat COVID-19 successfully, if contracted. Any resident who still chooses to leave the community will be discouraged from doing so and screened upon each re-entry to the community.
We are taking steps to implement activity programs and dining that minimizes the number of residents in one group setting at a time but, rather, focuses on small group or individual activity and engagement. We continue to restrict all visitors from entering the community with the exception of essential healthcare personnel. Essential visits would include our team members, private caregivers and outside healthcare for providers such as skilled nursing or therapy groups who provide services to residents necessary for their continued well-being, family members of residents who are on hospice and end of life care, and essential deliveries of goods and services to the communities. The individuals who meet these criteria continue to go through our screening for symptoms and travel questions with every visit before being permitted to enter the community.
We continue to work closely with state and local authorities, as well as our vendors, in accessing the necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that is needed. We are currently executing on plans to ensure the communities have the necessary PPE to keep each resident and team member safe.
We recognize the difficult situation this is for many of the residents and family members. Each community is dedicating time to ensure family members and residents who wish to connect via phone, FaceTime or Skype are provided the opportunities and support to do so.
We continue to meet daily and are staying informed and implementing recommended directives and guidelines to avoid the transmission of infection as much as possible. Our COVID-19 response team is available for any questions or concerns and will continue to update you as new information comes out. We appreciate your support, patience and cooperation during this challenging time.
Respectfully yours,
Rebecca Townsend
Chief Operating Officer
Lorie Dancy, MSN, RN, CRNP
Chief Wellness and Compliance Officer
Dear Residents, Team Members, Family and Friends;
As we continue to hear breaking news regarding COVID-19, we want to keep you fully updated about our safety precautions. Federal and state agencies have begun to add more stringent orders and protocols around visiting senior living communities, and we have elected to update our protocol in the interest of protecting residents and team members.
Effective immediately, we are prohibiting all visitors to our communities except for essential visits. These include:
The individuals who meet this criteria will need to go through our screening for symptoms and travel (now including any international travel), before being permitted to enter the community. We know this is an emotional hardship for our residents and family members. We encourage you to communicate by phone, FaceTime, or Skype, to continue to interact with and comfort your loved ones.
We are meeting daily and continue to have our COVID-19 response team available for any questions or concerns and will continue to update you as new information comes out. We appreciate your support and cooperation during this challenging time.
Rebecca Townsend
Chief Operating Officer
Lorie Dancy, MSN, RN, CRNP
Chief Wellness and Compliance Officer
Solvere-Operated Community Residents, Team Members, Family and Friends;
As COVID-19 continues to spread across the United States, we are taking precautionary measures following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state health agencies as appropriate. These agencies have released guidelines for employers and healthcare providers to help contain the spread of coronavirus.
In addition to the steps we’ve taken to date related to hand hygiene, cleaning/disinfecting and supplies at the community, we are implementing additional team member and visitor screening. In an effort to ensure that the residents and team members stay in optimal health, we are asking anyone with a fever, cough or other flu-like symptoms, or who has traveled to an area of known infections within the last 30 days, to refrain from visiting our communities. We will also be asking questions related to the above symptoms to prevent the possible transmission of infection. Please be patient and candid in providing answers and listening to directives, to ensure that we are gathering the necessary information and responding appropriately. Finally, we are also considering limiting larger group events on a case-by-case basis to protect residents and avoid the possible spread of infection and apologize for any inconvenience caused.
Community Access and Visitor Protocol
All Solvere-operated communities are restricting visitors to only essential healthcare personnel, who are being screened and documented. This process includes using screening logs for symptoms and questions about travel to or contact with areas of potential COVID-19 exposure.
Community Programs
Large group activities have been suspended for the near future until physical distancing of six feet is no longer necessary. However, physical isolation at our community doesn’t mean residents are alone! Not only are our team members interacting with residents regularly, we’re engaging with them in new and creative ways by facilitating family and friend communication on Skype and FaceTime, holding specialized events via video and doing more one-on-one and small-group programming. We have also brought back the old-fashioned US post office mail method of pen pals among our sister communities. These are just some of the small ways we are living our mission to inspire people to realize their full potential.
Community Dining
We have suspended communal dining in order to practice physical distancing and are delivering meals to each apartment or suite. We are also utilizing refreshment carts to provide in-between meal snacks and specialty items. We are even having a contest to see how creative our teams can be! A few examples are door-to-door rolling omelet stations, ice cream carts and “drive by” happy hour via service cart to name a few.
Outings
All community and individual outings are suspended. We strongly discourage residents from leaving the community for any reason. Any resident that leaves for any reason will be required to self-isolate for 14 days upon their return to ensure the safety of all residents and team members. The team is available to assist residents with obtaining remote or delivery services as much as possible to prevent the need to leave.
Infection Control
Solvere has added new COVID-19 in-service trainings to our training portal and are tracking regular and ongoing trainings for all team members. In addition, we have provided additional training on good hygiene practices. All communities continue to practice good hand hygiene (washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds) and are practicing physical distancing. In the event of an active case, all communities are stocked with the appropriate personal protective equipment, or PPE.
Resident Screening
All Solvere communities are screening all residents daily. Residents with any symptoms are being screened every 4 hours to monitor for possible COVID-19 infection. We have implemented the infection control protocols recommended by the CDC, including use of personal protection equipment, or PPE.
Our team is meeting daily to stay current, direct resources and to support the residents and each community. We will continue to follow recommendations for infection prevention from the CDC and will communicate any changes as they arise. Should you have any questions, please reach out to your community General Manager or Wellness Director.
Thank you for your support as we strive to keep the residents, their loved ones and team members safe.
Rebecca Townsend
Chief Operating Officer
Lorie Dancy, MSN, RN, CRNP
Chief Wellness and Compliance Officer
Solvere Living has compiled important links and information to help you stay apprised of any updates that become available. The website links below will provide a resourceful mix of important COVID-19 updates as well as activities to help individuals remain socially, culturally and intellectually stimulated and engaged during this period of home quarantine.
National Updates & Recommendations
State-by-State Departments of Health for Solvere-Operated Communities
Activities for Both Residents and Prospective Residents
Solvere Living has formed a task force to respond to community and family questions and concerns around-the-clock during this pandemic. Its purpose is to ensure comprehensive and timely responses as well as to continuously update protocols and communicate with residents and families. Here are the task force members and their background:
Rebecca Townsend is the COO for Solvere Living and oversees all services for our managed communities. Rebecca has more than 28 years of experience in operating and overseeing senior housing communities.
Lorie Dancy is the Chief Wellness and Compliance Officer for Solvere Living and oversees all care, compliance and programs for our managed communities. Lorie has over 25 years of experience in nursing and healthcare and is an RN and licensed Nurse Practitioner.
Marquette Leach is the Managing Director of Wellness for Solvere Living and is responsible for the day-to-day management of Solvere communities’ wellness departments. Marquette is an RN with 20 years of experience in nursing, leadership and healthcare and will be awarded his Doctor of Nursing Practice degree in August 2020.
Sarah Casey is outside general counsel for Solvere Living and is a 10-year practicing attorney who specializes in healthcare and advises on legal and compliance matters for long term care, provider groups and healthcare technology companies nationwide.
