January 14, 2022
Although COVID-19 vaccination remains effective in preventing severe disease, recent data suggest vaccination becomes less effective over time at preventing infection or milder illness with symptoms, especially in people aged 65 years and older. Early data also suggest the increased transmissibility of the Omicron variant is two to four times as infectious as the Delta variant. Recent evidence also shows that vaccine effectiveness against COVID-19 infection is decreasing over time without boosters. Given the greater transmissibility of the Omicron variant, the risk of outbreaks in senior living communities is significant. It will be important to continue the availability of booster shots through booster clinics and to encourage residents and team members to participate.
The protocols below are effective immediately:
Exposed or positive residents and team members must be reported to the Covid-19 Response team by emailing to: covid19response@solveresl.com
Approvals for residents being removed from quarantine or isolation or for team members returning to work must be emailed to the Covid-19 Response Team PRIOR TO residents’ removal from quarantine or team members’ return to work.
When emailing the Covid-19 Response Team, always “cc” your RVP.
Face Masks
- At this time, the risk of spreading the omicron variant to any individual remains very high. For this reason, mask wearing is required for all team members regardless of vaccine status.
- All team members are required to wear a surgical mask while in the community until further notice.
- Any community in outbreak status must wear N95 masks until they are no longer considered to be in outbreak. Per the CDC, outbreak is defined as 1 or more individuals who reside or work in the community have tested positive. Please consult with the covid response team if there are concerns acquiring the necessary face mask.
- All residents are strongly encouraged to wear face masks indoors in a community, especially in communities experiencing a Covid outbreak, regardless of vaccine status.
- Positive residents and the team members providing care or support to the positive residents must wear a N95 mask during the time care or services are rendered.
Screening
- Anyone entering the community must be screened for exposure, symptoms and have their temperature taken and recorded. If anyone answers “yes” to any screening question or has a temperature greater than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, they are not permitted to enter the community.
- Each community must set up a process to have designated individuals alerted if anyone answers” yes” to a screening question or has a temperature greater than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit.
- If using Accushield the GM, WD and at least one other individual designated by the GM must be placed into the Accushield system to be alerted if anyone signing in answers “Yes” to a symptom or exposure question or if their temperature is greater than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit
- If using paper sign in logs, the GM, WD and at least one other individual designated by the GM must be alerted by concierge if anyone signing in answers “yes” to a symptom or exposure question or if their temperature is greater than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit
- If the GM, WD, other designee or concierge are not present in the community, an individual who will monitor the screening answers must be designated prior to the beginning of that shift.
New Move Ins
- Any new resident moving into the community who is not must present with a negative PCR or rapid test within 72 hours of move in.
- New move ins who are unvaccinated must:
- Be monitored daily for symptoms
- Be tested for covid using a rapid or PCR test on their 5th day after move in
- Wear a N95 mask for 5 days post move in when in all common areas
- If the resident is positive for signs or symptoms of covid or they are not wearing the proper mask in communal areas, they will be required to quarantine for the remainder of their first 5 days of move in.
Outside Vendors/Movers
- All outside vendors and movers are required to screen upon entry and use hand sanitizer.
- They are encouraged to bring an N95 mask but are permitted to wear a surgical mask. A regular cloth mask is not permitted.
- Services and support should be rendered as quickly as possible and not in common areas but only in the designated living area of that resident
- Health care support services such as Rehab may be provided in common areas such as the fitness center or ambulation in the hallways when necessary and are to follow their plan of care for the resident
- Outside vendors must follow any additional specific state or local guidance for visitors
Exposed Residents
Unvaccinated residents and vaccinated residents that received their second shot more than 5 months ago (Pfizer or Moderna) or their J & J shot more than 2 months ago, and have not received a booster shot must:
- Quarantine for 5 days followed by strict N95 face mask use for an additional 5 days.
- Take a covid test 5 days after exposure or 5 days after their initial negative test.
- If the resident is unable to quarantine and is asymptomatic, they must wear an N95 masks at all times when around others for 10 days from their exposure date.
- If a resident is symptomatic or tests positive, they must quarantine to avoid transmitting the virus to others.
- Monitor resident for symptoms daily using the individualized resident screening tool for the duration of their quarantine.
If a resident has received a booster, completed their vaccine series with Pfizer or Moderna in the last 5 months or has completed the J & J vaccine in the last 2 months, the resident must:
- Wear a surgical or N95 mask around others for 10 days, but they are not required to quarantine.
- Quarantine and test right away if the resident develops symptoms.
- If no symptoms have developed, test on day 5to confirm they are negative and continue to wear the mask for the remaining 5 days.
COVID 19 Positive Residents
COVID positive residents, regardless of vaccine status must:
- Isolate for 5 days.
- If they are asymptomatic or their symptoms are resolving and they are without fever for 24 hours, they can come out of quarantineafter 5 days. But they must wear a N95 masks when around others for an additional 5 days after that.
- Monitor resident for symptoms every 4 hours if symptomatic
- Monitor resident for symptoms every 8 hours if asymptomatic
Exposed Team Members
Team members who have not received their booster or who are unvaccinated (even if they have been positive in the last 90 days), must:
- Stay out of work for 10 days.
- If the team member tests negative on day 5-7 after exposure, they may return to work after 7 days. The negative test must be taken within 48 hours prior to returning to work.
- If this creates a significant staffing concern for the community, the team member may be approved to continue working,, but they must wear an N95 mask and negative test via a rapid or PCR test on days 1, 2, 3, and 5-7 (total of 4 tests). This MUST be approved by the covid 19 response team prior to returning the team member to work.
Boosted team members who have been exposed and are asymptomatic have:
- No work restrictions.
- They must receive a and negative test on day 2 and once again between days 5 – 7
- The team member must wear a N95 mask for 10 days.
COVID 19 Positive Team Members
Team members who test positive via a PCR or rapid test, regardless of vaccine status, must:
- Stay out of work for 10 days.
- They may return earlier only if they test negative using a PCR test after 7 days and within 48 hours prior to returning to work. To return, the team member must also be asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic with symptoms improving and have no fever for at least 24 hours
- It is not necessary to re-test any team member after they have received an initial positive rapid or PCR test except for the possibility of returning them to work after 7 days.
- If this creates a significant staffing concern for the community, the team member may be restricted from work for 5 days instead and wear an N95 mask for an additional 5 days after their return. However, they must also be asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic with symptoms improving and no fever for at least 24 hours. This MUST be approved by the covid 19 response team prior to the team member returning to work.
- Any positive team member re-testing to return to work early must have a PCR test. A rapid test will not be accepted.
Note: When determining the onset of symptoms or disease:
- For those who are positive:
- The first day of symptom onset is considered day 0
- For those who are asymptomatic, the first positive testis considered day 0.
- For those who are exposed:
- The first day of exposure is considered day 0
Visitors, Activity Programs, Tours and Dining Room:
- Any changes required to these programs or practices will be evaluated and determined individually at each community by the covid19response team
- If the community state, county or local department of health requires changes to any of the above practices, the covid19response team must be informed immediately via the covid19response email with a “CC” to your RVP.
- All visitors are required to sign in and answer the signs, symptoms and exposure question.
- All visitors must wear a face mask and use hand sanitizer prior to entering the community
Booster Clinics:
- All team member and resident vaccination and booster shot information and dates must be documented in ALIS in the Covid Center.
- All team member and resident testing results must be documented in ALIS in the covid center
- Copies of vaccination cards and testing results must be maintained and uploaded to the Covid Center in ALIS
Covid Tracker:
- Covid Tracker Smartsheets provide the numerical information of positive residents and team members as well as numerical information regarding the vaccination and booster status of residents and team members. All (3) threeCovid trackers must be updated every week by EOD Monday.
Notification of Resident or Team Members who are Covid positive or exposed:
The community must inform the following groups below if a resident or team member has tested positive:
- The Covid1-9Response Team via email to: covid19response@solveresl.com
- The local department of health
- The community licensing agency (frequency dependent upon the state the community is located).
The community must inform the following group below if a resident or team member has been exposed:
Required Notification Information:
When notifying the Covid-19Response Team of an exposed or positive team member or resident, the following information must be included in the email:
Positive/Exposed Team Member:
- Team Member Name and Position
- Last day of work in the community
- Symptomatic or Asymptomatic
- Vaccine status (unvaccinated, vaccinated, and booster)
- Exposure date
- Positive test information(date, rapid, or PCR). Send test results with email when possible.
- Is team member positive from exposure at the community or from exposure outside of work, to the extent we can determine that
- If work related exposure, was it a resident or other team member they were exposed to?
- Were any residents or other team members exposed?
- Most recent and the next scheduled date of community wide testing due to positive or exposure
Positive/Exposed Resident:
- Name of Resident
- Apartment number
- Exposure date or Positive test date
- Other positive residents near resident’s apartment
- If positive resident, results of contact tracing for other potentially exposed residents
- Symptomatic or Asymptomatic
- Vaccine status (unvaccinated, vaccinated and booster)
- Most recent and the next scheduled date of community wide testing due to positive or exposure
Specific State and County Protocols:
Every community must remain informed of specific state and local covid protocols and inform the covid response team of these updates and protocols specific to their area at the time of notification. The covid response team will work individually with each community to assist how to implement the protocols.
TEXAS
- Notify DHHS of a newly positive team member or resident when the first case occurs
NEW JERSEY/CALIFORNIA/TEXAS/MISSOURI/GEORGIA
- Weekly testing on ALL residents and team members when a positive case in a resident or team member has been identified. Test every 5-7 days until there are 14 days of no positive team members or residents
FLORIDA
- Consult with local department of health to determine if routine testing is required once in outbreak status, which is defined as 1 covid positive resident or team member
CALIFORNIA
- Indoor visitation is only eligible for vaccinated people and for those who are eligible for the booster shot and have receive done
- All unvaccinated visitors or those who are eligible for the booster shot and who have not received the booster shot can visit outdoors only
- All visitors visiting indoors must present with their vaccine card to enter the community and they must present with a negative covid PCR test taken within 2 days prior to the visit or a negative rapid antigen test taken within the last one day to enter the community
- All visitors visiting outdoors must present with a negative covid PCR test taken within 2 days prior to the visit or a negative rapid antigen test taken within the last one day to enter the community
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June 28, 2021
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
- Symptom based testing: anyone with COVID symptoms regardless of vaccination status will need to receive a COVID viral test immediately
- Testing after exposure: asymptomatic team members and residents with prolonged exposure to a COVID positive person, regardless of vaccination status, should have a series of two COVID tests (immediately and then five to seven days post-exposure). Team members must stay out of work until two negative COVID test are obtained, and residents must quarantine until two negative COVID tests are obtained.
- Prolonged exposure refers to a cumulative time-period of 15 or more minutes during a 24-hour period
- Outbreak testing: testing strategies for communities with outbreaks remain unchanged. Team members and residents, regardless of vaccination status, should have viral tests every three to seven days until no new cases are identified for 14 days.
- An outbreak is defined as 1 or more cases of COVID-19 in a community either in a resident or in a team member
- Routine testing: fully vaccinated team members are no longer required to undergo routine testing. Unvaccinated team members must continue to be routinely tested based on county positivity rate (COVID-19 Nursing Home Data | Data.CMS.gov), if required by the state/county.
- Residents and team members who are required to test should not re-test within 3 months of having previously testing positive for COVID-19
- Team members with COVID return to work decisions must be reviewed and approved by the COVID-19 response team prior to the team member being permitted to return to work
Vaccination
- Residents who are fully vaccinated do not need to wear facemasks. Residents who have not been fully vaccinated should continue to wear facemasks.
- Each community should continue to promote and provide opportunities for all team members and residents to get vaccinated. Full vaccination for visitors is always preferred, when possible.
- The community must maintain a list of all fully vaccinated and non-vaccinated residents within each department and update at a minimum weekly
Screening
- Screening for symptoms and exposure must take place for all team members and visitors upon entry into the community
- Anyone who answers “yes” to any of the screening questions or exhibits COVID symptoms will be prohibited from entering the community
- Residents no longer require daily screenings for COVID-19 signs or symptoms
Visitation
Visitation is permitted for all residents except in the following circumstances:
- Indoor visitation should be limited solely to compassionate care situations for:
- Unvaccinated residents if the county COVID-19 positivity rate is greater than 10% and less than 70% of residents in the community are fully vaccinated
- Vaccinated and unvaccinated residents with COVID-19 infection until they have met criteria to discontinue transmission-based precautions per CDC guidance as stated below
Symptom-Based Strategy for Discontinuing Transmission-Based Precautions
Residents with mild to moderate illness who are not severely immunocompromised:
- At least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appearedand at least 24 hours have passed since last fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath) have improved)
Residents who were asymptomatic throughout their infection and are not severely immunocompromised:
- At least 10 days have passed since the date of their first positive viral diagnostic test
Residents with severe to critical illness or who are severely immunocompromised:
- At least 10 days and up to 20 days have passed since symptoms first appeared and at least 24 hours have passed since lastfever without the use of fever-reducing medications and symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath) have improved
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
- Residents fully vaccinated moving into the community are not required to quarantine. They must provide a copy of their vaccine card which is to be maintained in their resident health record.
- Residents not fully vaccinated are required to present a negative COVID test result within 10 days of their move in date and quarantine for 5 days upon move in. They must re-test and have a negative COVID test on the 5th day or if the 14th day from the first day of the negative COVID test is before the 5th If a negative test result is received and they are asymptomatic, the resident is no longer required to quarantine. While quarantining, residents must be screened every 8 hours using the individualized screening tool.
Group Activities and Programming
- If all residents participating in the program are fully vaccinated, then they may choose to have close contact and to not wear a mask during the program
- If unvaccinated residents are present, then all participants in the group activity should wear a mask and unvaccinated residents should physically distance from other residents
- Educating unvaccinated residents about their risks in a group setting must take place
Communal Dining
- Fully vaccinated residents can participate in communal dining without the use of masks and physical distancing
- If unvaccinated residents are dining in the dining room or a communal area, all residents should wear a mask when not eating and unvaccinated residents should continue to remain at least six feet from others
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:
- Hand sanitizers must always be filled
- 11-7 pm shift cleaning of common areas, counter tops, walkers, wheelchairs, etc. are completed
- Ensure assigned and cleaning of common areas and high touch areas at two times a day
Infection Control-Meal Service for residents quarantining or isolating:
- When meals are delivered, gloves are to be changed before entering each individual resident apartment
- Hand sanitizer should be on meal service delivery cart and hands should be washed before entering and after leaving each resident’s apartment to deliver a meal
State Specifications
New Jersey
- All unvaccinated team members must continue to be tested weekly
- Vaccine clinics or opportunities to be vaccinated should be offered 1-2 times per month for unvaccinated residents and team members
- Unvaccinated residents no longer need to be tested
- Testing guidelines are partially based on COVID positivity rate in county which should be monitored weekly to identify changes in testing protocol
Texas
- Requirement to screen residents for symptoms and exposure daily
Download PDF Version
November 5, 2020
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.
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August 17, 2020
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:
Return to Work Protocols – Three Strategies
- All return to work decisions must be reviewed and approved by the COVID-19 Response Team prior to the team member being permitted to return to work
- All team members with “inconclusive” or “indeterminate” test results must be individually reviewed by the COVID-19 Response Team
Symptom-Based Strategy
- Non-severely immunocompromised team members with mild to moderate illnesses should remain out of work after 10 or more days have passed since symptoms first appeared. Team members should remain out of work 20 days or more for severe or critical illnesses or those who are severely immunocompromised.
- At least 24 hours have passed since resolution of fever, without the use of fever-reducing medications and improvement in all symptoms
Time-Based Strategy
- Asymptomatic team members should remain out of work after 10 days have passed since the date of the first positive COVID-19 viral diagnostic test AND have remained asymptomatic
- Asymptomatic team members should remain out of work for 20 days for those who are severely immunocompromised AND have remained asymptomatic
Test-Based Strategy
Team members who are symptomatic:
- Resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications, and
- Improvement in symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath), and
- Results are negative from at least two consecutive respiratory specimens collected ≥24 hours apart (total of two negative specimens)
- Inconclusive or indeterminate results are considered positive for test-based strategy
Healthcare professionals who are not symptomatic:
- Results are negative from at least two consecutive respiratory specimens collected ≥24 hours apart (total of two negative specimens)
Residents who are moving or returning to the community from the hospital, rehabilitation or another facility
- All new residents must be COVID-19 tested within seven days prior to moving in and provide the test results to the general manager prior to moving in
- Residents returning to the community from a hospital, rehabilitation or other healthcare facility stay, must have results of a COVID-19 test within seven days of returning to the community
- New residents will be required to isolate for 14 days in their rented apartment after moving into the community if their COVID-19 test is negative
- If a COVID-19 positive resident moves into the community, they will be required to isolate in the cohort area for COVID-19 positive residents
- Any resident newly moving in or being re-admitted into the community from a healthcare facility or another communal living setting, will be required to have a negative COVID-19 test prior to moving in (unless the state mandates more than one negative COVID-19 test prior to being discharged). The resident must isolate or cohort for 14 days upon moving in or re-admission as directed by the state or the COVID-19 Response Team.
- Any resident being re-admitted into the community from a healthcare facility or another communal living environment must be reviewed and approved by the COVID-19 Response Team prior to moving into the community
- Contact the COVID-19 Response Team prior to the resident moving in and if the resident states they refuse to isolate after moving into the community
Outside Providers’ Instructions
- Examples of outside providers include primary care providers, podiatrists, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, counselors, therapy providers, salon stylists, private duty aides, etc.
- Outside providers must submit a protocol to be reviewed and approved by the COVID-19 Response Team prior to services being approved, or they must agree to abide by our safety protocols
- Only essential visits will be permitted
- Request a negative COVID-19 test from outside providers. If the provider is not able to provide results indicating a negative COVID-19 test taken within the last 14 days, inform the COVID-19 Response Team for approval prior to admittance into the community.
- All private duty aides and companions must provide documentation of negative COVID-19 tests on the same basis as all team members in a community. For example, if the state requires a weekly test for all team members, a private duty aide or companion must submit a weekly test to the community or be tested by the community where allowed or required.
- In states where testing is not mandated for team members, private duty aides and companions must provide documentation of a negative COVID-19 test every 14 days.
Download PDF Version
July 2, 2020
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:
- All new residents must be COVID-19 tested within 4-5 days prior to move in and the test results provided to the community prior to move in.
- If a new resident tests negative for COVID-19, he or she will be required to isolate for 14 days in their rented apartment after moving into the community.
- If a new resident tests positive for COVID-19 and moves into the community, he or she will be required to isolate in the cohort area for COVID positive residents.
- Any new resident – moving or being re-admitted into the community from a healthcare facility or another communal living setting – will be required to have a negative COVID test prior to moving in (unless the state mandates more than one negative COVID test prior to being discharged). The resident must isolate or cohort for 14 days upon moving in or being re-admitted, as directed by the state or the COVID-19 Response Team.
- The COVID-19 Response Team must review and approve any resident being re-admitted into the community from a healthcare facility or another communal living setting prior to moving in.
- Contact the COVID-19 Response Team if a prospective resident states he or she will not isolate after moving into the community.
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).
- All resident outdoor visits must be pre-scheduled.
- No more than two (2) individuals can visit with one (1) resident at a time.
- No more than two (2) resident outdoor visits can occur at one time (unless otherwise required by the state).
- A community team member must be present during each outdoor visit to ensure six (6) feet of physical distancing is always maintained. Unfortunately, touching and hugging are not permitted at this time due to safety concerns.
- Community team members should maintain an appropriate distance from the resident and visitor(s) to allow privacy during the visit. However, team members should remain observant and be able to approach the visitation area quickly to aid or to reinforce protocol, if needed.
- The resident and visitor(s) must always wear face masks.
- Hand sanitizer must be applied, or proper hand hygiene performed by the visitor(s) and resident immediately prior to the visit.
- The table and chairs must be disinfected after the outdoor visit and allowed to air dry for at least 15-30 minutes before another visit can occur in the same location.
- All residents participating in outdoor visits must have a documented Focused ServicePlan.
- If visitors do not comply with the rules listed above, they may be banned from future visits, until all visitor restrictions are lifted, or all visitation may be stopped at the community. These rules are for the safety of all residents and team members to limit the risk of exposure.
Fitness Centers, Common Areas, Beauty Salons, Dining Rooms, etc.:
- If a general manager wishes to re-open any common area or services in the community, please submit in advance all requests and plans to Solvere Living for review and approval.
- If there are positive cases of COVID-19 in a community, common areas and amenities may close for a minimum period of 2-3 days up to a much longer period. This will allow team members to disinfect all areas, contact trace and prevent further spread of the viru
- The closing period will be determined on a case by case basis for each community.
Outside Providers:
- Examples of outside providers include primary care providers, podiatrists, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, counselors, therapy providers, salon stylists, private duty aides etc.
- Outside providers must submit a protocol to be reviewed and approved by the COVID-19 Response Team prior to services being rendered or they must agree to abide by our safety prot
- Only essential visits will be permitted.
- Request a negative COVID-19 test from outside provider If they are not able to provide results indicating a negative COVID-19 test taken in the last 14 days, inform the COVID-19 Response Team for approval prior to admittance into the community.
- All private duty aides and companions must provide documentation of negative COVID-19 tests on a weekly basis.
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May 21, 2020
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:
April 27, 2020
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.
- All communities that have known positive COVID-19 cases should implement the following:
- All team members must wear the re-useable KN95 masks at all times
- Residents must wear re-useable KN95 masks during ADL support care and with close face to face contact.
- Refer to Attached KN95 washing and disinfecting protocol
As states begin to “reopen”- currently TN, GA, and TX but this will change over time - AL & MC communities in states where self-isolation restrictions have been lifted will:
- Provide all residents with their own re-useable KN95 mask to be maintained in their apartment
- Residents are to wear KN95 masks during ADL support care and with close face to face contact.
- Refer to Attached KN95 washing and disinfecting protocol
Reminder: All other communities are to utilize N95s and KN95 masks only when caring for a resident in isolation or showing possible COVID-19 symptoms and receiving nebulizer or aerosolizing treatments. Otherwise you should be wearing the CE or Surgical masks at all times.
Infection Control-Cohort Plan
- All communities must develop a Cohort plan for residents who are isolating in the community with known positive COVID-19 disease, COVID-19 symptoms or have a potential exposure to COVID-19.
- The cohort plan must include the process and needed plan for implementation for designating team members to care for residents who are in cohort areas related to COVID-19.
Infection Control-Meal Service
- When meals are delivered, gloves are to be changed before entering each individual resident apartment
- Hand sanitizer should be on meal service delivery cart and hands should be washed before and after entering each resident apartment to deliver a meal.
- When refreshment cart is being passed with snacks, gloves should be changed when handing a refreshment to each individual resident.
- Hand sanitizer should be available on the refreshment cart and hands should be washed before and after each resident receives a snack
Resident and Team member Screening Logs
- If a resident responds “yes” to a screening question and it is believed to be due to a chronic or on-going issue, notate this on the screening log and place the resident on isolation utilizing the individualized screening tool until discussed with a member of the COVID-19 response team.
Resident Move-Ins to Valeo Neighborhood Update:
- Residents are permitted to move into a Valeo neighborhood or into an all Valeo memory care community if there have been no known cases of COVID-19 by any residents living in the community
- Residents who require being transferred from the AL or IL community into the Valeo neighborhood will be permitted if there has not been a positive case of COVID-19 in the neighborhood.
Resident Move-Outs:
- The same process is in place when moving a resident out of the community as when moving a resident into the community
- Residents are permitted to have one family present to assist with moving out
- Residents family member and movers, if present, must be screened prior to moving items out of the resident apartment
- Moving company should be informed prior to move that movers will be screened and to provide the least number of movers possible for the move.
Family member and movers are to not access any common areas of the community.
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KN95 Mask Washing & Disinfecting Instructions
April 14, 2020
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:
- Reminder: all community team members are to wear CE or surgical face masks at all times
- N95 and KN95 masks are worn only when caring for a resident who is positive for COVID-19 or if a resident is having COVID-19 symptoms and receiving nebulizer treatments. All other parameters for wearing a N95 or KN95 mask must be discussed with the COVID-19 response team.
- Refer to the below FIT Testing Procedures link to use when team members require using a N95 or KN95 mask. A FIT Test must be performed prior to use and is performed annually and with any significant physical change in the team member wearing the mask.
- Move-ins
- Residents are not permitted to move into a ValeoTM neighborhood or into an all-Valeo memory care community until further notice. This includes resident transfers unless previously discussed with the COVID response team.
- Essential workers vs. non-essential workers
- Only essential workers, other than community team members working their scheduled shift, are permitted into the community. Essential workers include hospice crisis care healthcare staff, skilled nursing services that cannot be provided by the licensed nurse in the community and private duty caregivers who provide 1:1 care to residents due to behavioral or cognitive support needs. All ADL care needs, even if formerly provided by a private caregiver or companion, are now to be provided by the community team members. Any exception to this needs to be reviewed by the COVID response team.
- Deliveries
- All deliveries are to be placed and left inside of a bin or cart outside of the community main entrance. All delivery packages must be disinfected prior to being carried into the community.
- Community common areas
- All common areas are closed and not to be used by any residents or team members
- Morning stand-up department head meeting
- Meet in a location in the community that will allow all department head team members to maintain physical distancing of 6 feet apart during morning stand up
- Cleaning protocols
- Each community must implement a daily cleaning protocol that includes cleaning multiple common areas and high touch areas of the community on a schedule each day
- Please refer to the below Cleaning and Housekeeping Protocols link for details
- Isolation protocols
- Residents who have been on isolation for 14 days may be removed from isolation if:
- They are no longer exhibiting symptoms
- They have not had a fever and they have not used fever reducing agents for 72 hours prior to being taken off isolation
- First floor windows
- Ensure first floor resident apartment windows and common area windows are secured and unable to be opened from the outside
- Be sure to follow all state mandated window height requirements particularly in Valeo when securing the windows to ensure this height restriction is maintained
- Postings
- An elevator sign should be posted for each community limiting the number of individuals to ride the elevator at one time. This is in an effort to reinforce physical distancing parameters.
- Daily logs
- Additional screening questions will be added to the resident screening logs. Updated resident and individual screening logs to follow.
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Respirator Mask - FIT Testing Procedures
Cleaning and Housekeeping Protocols
April 6, 2020
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:
- A team member is not permitted to work if they answer “yes” to one or more of the symptoms asked on the screening tool. After 14 days of self-isolation, they must acquire a note from their physician indicating they are free from communicable disease and must be symptom-free in order to return to work.
- If the physician’s note permits them to return to work prior to the 14 days of self-isolation, the note must state they are free from communicable disease and the team member must be symptom-free. If team members need assistance in obtaining a doctor’s note, they should contact their General Manager who will then involve the Solvere Living Regional Vice President and Vice President of Team Engagement and Values (Human Resources).
- If the team member exhibits any of the symptoms from the screening log due to a previously determined or chronic condition, and the team member discloses said symptoms to the community, they may continue to work. Please document that it is a chronic condition related to their symptom on the screening log.
- General Managers to review the symptoms on the team member daily logs and advise their Regional Vice President and Human Resources when anyone is sent home or calls out sick.
- The COVID response team must be contacted prior to the team member returning to work.
- Team members that call out sick for non-COVID related or other symptoms outside of COVID related symptoms are treated just like a normal call out due to illness. They can return to work as soon as they’re cleared to return to work. Self-isolation requirements are not required.
Resident Screenings/Self-Isolation:
- A resident must be placed on self-isolation if they answer “yes” to one or more of the symptoms on the resident screening log. All residents on self-isolation are required to be screened every 4 hours using the individualized screening tool.
- All individualized screening logs as well as the other screening logs and sign in sheets must be emailed to the COVID response team daily by 12 Noon ET.
- If a resident’s condition does not improve during isolation or the resident experiences a decline in their condition, contact the COVID response team immediately or send the resident to the hospital and then contact the COVID response team immediately.
- If any resident leaves the community for a routine yet necessary health-care need, they are to be placed in continual self-isolation and screened every 4 hours. If the resident is symptom- free, an opportunity should be provided for them to leave their apartment, accompanied by a team member following physical distancing protocol of 6 feet of separation.
- Residents are not to be sent to the hospital because they are exhibiting a sign or symptom from the screening tool unless the sign or symptom is an immediate threat to the resident’s health.
- Call ahead to the hospital to inform them if a resident is coming to hospital due to a case of suspected COVID disease so they can prepare.
- Notify EMS prior to their arrival if they will be attending to or transporting a resident with suspected COVID disease. Emergency responders may not stop for screening due to urgency, however every attempt to screen should be made, as available. If EMS personnel are not wearing PPE, ask them to don PPE with the exception of requesting them to apply N95 masks.
Residents must be free from symptoms for 72 consecutive hours prior to being removed from self-isolation.
PPE Preservation
- Please refer to the PPE Preservation Protocol best practices for preserving PPE
- PPE is to be used by each team member for any resident in self-isolation
- Efforts to obtain PPE from state and local health departments must be emailed to the COVID response team immediately.
**Please be aware of updated screening logs provided to the community which includes:
- Health care providers sign-in logs to date from other communities they have visited
- Travel restrictions from NY, NJ and CT for communities in FL and MD only
Essential Health Care Personnel:
- Only essential health care personnel are permitted into the community.
- Optimize the use of TeleHealth or SKYPE visits for physician visits with communities
- Any individuals that are not essential to the current health care needs of the residents are not permitted to enter the community.
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PPE Preservation Protocol
March 24, 2020
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:
- Our team members
- Private caregivers
- Necessary skilled nursing or therapy groups
- Family members of residents who are on hospice and end of life care
- Deliveries of essential goods and services'
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
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March 18, 2020
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
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March 13, 2020
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:
- Our team members
- Private caregivers
- Outside healthcare providers (necessary skilled nursing or therapy groups)
- Family members of residents who are on Hospice or end of life care
- Deliveries of essential goods and services
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
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March 10, 2020
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.
Protocols
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
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