COVID-19 Information

To Our Residents, Family Members and Staff:

Update #33 | Dated: 7-17-20

We hope everyone is having a good end to their week. As we start our 19th week of quarantine procedures we wanted to pass along a few updates.

1. Governor Kemp’s Latest Executive Order:
   1. Governor Kemp issued an Executive Order yesterday that extended the shelter in place order for 2 additional weeks for various individuals, including residents of senior living communities. This order can be found here.
2. Update on Staff Testing:
   1. Although the testing environment has improved since the pandemic came on the scene earlier this year, the national and state testing infrastructure continues to be stressed. We are no longer able to use the CVS and GT partnership for testing as it closed last month, and most other private locations are consistently booked. All of this makes it difficult for us to schedule our staff for testing appointments on our every ~14-day cadence. That said, we do continue to have our staff tested regularly (albeit with more difficulty), and we are now relying heavily on the Department of Public Health (DPH) testing locations.
   2. We are already on our 4^th/5^th round of testing for all of our staff members. As part of this regular testing, one of our staff members returned a positive test result earlier this week.
      1. The staff member last worked at Sterling on Sunday, July 12th and has not returned to work this week.
      2. This staff member began to experience innocuous symptoms on the evening of Monday, July 13th. The staff member went in for a test Tuesday, July 14^th and, we were made aware of their positive result this afternoon. This team member will be eligible to return to work once he/she meets the DPH/CDC return to work guidelines: the longer of 10 days after the onset of symptoms or 3 days with no symptoms without any pharmacological supports; or 10 days after the first positive test if asymptomatic.
   3. In following the DPH and CDC guidance on contact tracing, primary contact is defined as:
      1. Anyone who was within 6 feet, for more than 10 minutes, with anyone who is known positive for the COVID-19 virus; beginning 2 days before the individual first becomes ill or who first tests positive but remains asymptomatic.
      2. We have identified only two residents and no other staff members who meet this primary contact definition. Both the residents and their loved ones have been notified and these residents will self-isolate for 14 days from July 12th. Both residents continue to be symptom free. Along with those two residents, no other residents or staff express or exhibit any COVID related symptoms.
3. Update on PPE:
   1. At this time, we have ample supplies of PPE at each of our communities. That said, PPE supply chains have improved. With this improvement, we have been able to identify additional providers of both KN95 and N95 masks. We expect to make additional large orders to continue to build our communities’ stockpiles in the coming weeks.

If you have any additional questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out. Have a wonderful weekend.

Sincerely,

The Sterling Estates Partners and Management Team

To Our Residents, Family Members and Staff Members:

Update #32 | Dated: 6-23-20

We hope everyone is having a good week thus far. We are excited to share that we received the results of last week’s universal resident testing. We were able to test 231 residents last week with ALL residents returning NEGATIVE test results. This outcome is a testament to both your vigilance as well as the effectiveness of our PPE and the policies and procedures we have implemented over the past 15 weeks. Thank you and thank you to our incredible staff for all that you have done to get us to this point.

Midway through our 15^th week of quarantine procedures, we wanted to follow up with a few updates.

Update on Staff Testing:

1. Through our 3^rd round of testing we have tested 114 of our 117 staff members with all 114 staff returning negative test results (with the remaining staff members getting scheduled for testing later this week).
2. We are starting our 4^th round of staff testing and we will update you on those results as they become available.

As a quick reminder, we are still under Governor Kemp’s executive order providing guidance for Long Term Care Facilities (found here) through July 12th.

We also wanted to encourage everyone to continue to stay vigilant and follow the guidelines as articulated by the State as well as the DOH. We know that these practices are getting “old” and harder to follow especially seeing so much of our state return to pre-COVID practices. That said, as we see cases climb nationally, we all have a responsibility to not only ourselves but our neighbors to continue to do all we can to keep one another safe. Our PPE, practices and policies are working and will continue to do so if we all continue to stay smart and vigilant.

We continue to be proactive in defining our operations during this time, including scheduling regular outdoor visits for our residents and their loved ones, providing safe opportunities for small group dining, ensuring we continue to offer engaging programming in small groups for all of our residents, and the continued screening of all essential visitors and staff. 

Please continue to let us know if there is anything else we can be doing to better support you and your loved ones.

Thus far, our policies and procedures, as well as your dedication to adhering to the guidance on how to remain safe in this “new normal” have been successful in keeping all of us safe. Please continue to do so and please do let us know if there is anything else we can be doing to better support you and your loved ones.

We continue to get through this unprecedented time together. Thank you.

The Sterling Estates Partners and Management Team

To Our Residents, Family Members and Staff Members:

Update #31 | Dated: 6-12-20

We hope everyone is having a good end to their week. Through our partnership with the Department of Health (DOH) we are proud of the fact that we have been able to remain proactive in our policies and procedures which have allowed our residents and staff to stay safe but remain socially engaged.

Updated Procedures (starting Monday, June 15^th):

• As we mentioned in our communication last week, we have been working with the DOH and their team of Epidemiologists to update our policies and procedures around small group activities and dining. These updates reflect the latest guidance from the DOH as well as Governor Kemp’s most current executive orders.
• Governor Kemp issued an Executive Order yesterday that extended the shelter in place order for 2 additional weeks for at risk individuals, in the state’s definition this includes our residents. This order can be found here.
• That said, we know that this has been an incredibly challenging 92 days since we started our quarantine procedures. After such a long time and with the opening of the state we understand that there are more and more “essential” activities our residents would like to take part in both inside and outside of our community. Please know that we want to support you in those activities so that you can continue to stay engaged while staying safe. When those instances do come about, please coordinate these plans with your Executive Director.
  • Updated Dining Procedures:
    • As of now, communal dining is still prohibited through mid-July; however, by working with the DOH and following guidance provided by the Georgia Restaurant Association (found here) we are able to roll out small group dining while following social distancing measures.
    • Residents will be able to eat in groups not to exceed approximately 25 individuals in any one location with at least 6 feet of separation between tables.
      • Our assisted living residents will be able to meet in small groups for dining in the following locations: our main dining room, front porch and outdoor courtyard patio.
      • Our independent living residents will be able to meet in small groups for dining in the following locations: the Grille, multiple seatings at the Club and the “Bluebird Café” (the outdoor patio at the Hampton), as well as other outdoor settings.
    • More detailed guidance on dining procedures can be found on Touchtown or by reaching directly out to the community: 770-255-7000.
  • Additional Guidance:
    • The executive order providing guidance for Long Term Care Facilities (found here) continues to be in place through July 12th. We continue to follow the guidance articulated in this order which includes:
      • Only allowing essential visitors into the community
      • We continue to offer small group activities (now defined as fewer than 50 individuals in one place with 6 feet of separation) both inside our community as well as outdoors.
      • Outdoor visits continue to be the main and best visitation option for most visitors. If a situation comes about where an inside visit would be deemed necessary, please coordinate these visits and plans with your Executive Director.

As we continue to get your feedback on our procedures and as the DOH/state releases additional guidance, we will update our policies and procedures and communicate those changes to you and your loved ones.

Update on Staff Testing:

• Through our 3^rd round of testing we have tested 55 of our 116 staff members with all 55 staff returning negative test results.  We will continue to have our staff tested regularly, approximately every 14 days.

Update on National Guard Testing:

• We are happy to report that we’ve been able to reschedule testing for all of our residents through the DOH and National Guard (NG).
• As you recall, our original testing scheduled for June 3rd was canceled due to the fact the NG was called to respond to unrest in downtown Atlanta. After a short period of leave and having all Guardsman tested on June 10^th, the NG is now restarting their previous testing mission.
• This testing is scheduled for this upcoming Wednesday, June 17^th. We are expecting to test all residents that day. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this testing, please do not hesitate to reach out directly to Deana: [email protected].

Update on National Guard Cleaning:

• As mentioned above, the NG has resumed missions in place prior to last few weeks’ events. Our 3^rd cleaning is scheduled for this Monday, June 15^th.

We hope everyone has a good weekend and please do not hesitate to reach out if there is anything further we can be doing to better support you or your loved ones.

Sincerely,

The Sterling Estates Partners and Management Team

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What are you doing right now to prevent the spread of COVID-19?

• We have changed our visitor policy. No visitors are permitted in our community until further notice.
  • We will make limited exceptions in extreme or emergency cases. These must be expressly approved by the Executive Director. Anyone entering the community under these circumstances will be screened upon arrival.
  • Only essential health care providers, including home health, private duty, nursing services, physicians, physical therapy, and hospice staff will be granted access to the community once they have completed our entry screening procedures.
    • All of these caretakers will check in with the front desk, screened and will have their temperatures taken.
  • The assisted living building now only has one entrance as all secondary access points have been secured ensuring there is only one point of entry (still ensuring that the community meets all state safety codes).
  • Assisted Living residents are required to remain on community grounds, except for necessary medical care. And our Independent Residents are encouraged to limit their public exposure by staying on community grounds.
  • Deliveries of packages will be made outside the assisted living building and a staff member will accept them.

• We have changed our dining procedures.
  • To avoid close contact during meals, our main dining rooms will be closed for at least the next 2 weeks. Meals will be delivered to each resident moving forward.

• Any resident returning from a necessary medical appointment outside of the community will be required to stay in his/her apartment for 14 days upon their return and will be closely monitored.
• All residents are monitored daily for: fever or any other symptoms of the infection (body aches, dry cough, etc.).
• In following the guidance of our home health partners, all non-essential physical, occupational and speech therapies have been suspended at this time. These changes should also be communicated to you directly by your home health provider. Sterling will work directly with you and your loved one to offer necessary supports until those services resume.
• We have updated our activity plans and calendars to adjust for smaller group (under 10 people at a time) activities, more outdoor events, as well as utilize all available technology in order to ensure our residents remain safe but also engaged.
• We take all staff members’ temperatures 2x every day. If anyone has a fever or has cold-like symptoms, we do not allow them to

What happens if there is a confirmed case of the COVID-19 virus in the community?

• If there is a suspected or confirmed case, we will follow all CDC guidelines and work closely with the state and local departments of health. We continue to monitor all residents and staff members for illness and symptoms. If there are concerning conditions or symptoms to share about your loved one, rest assured that someone on the Sterling Estates team will contact you directly.
  • What this would look like:
  • Residents:
    • Residents must now remain in their apartments until further notice.
    • Residents’ temperatures will be taken twice a day.
    • We will continue to provide in-room meal services.
  • Staff:
    • All staff will wear a mask and gloves while in the community.
    • All companions will wear PPE (gloves, eye protection and mask) while providing care for our residents.
    • Staff members will receive symptom screenings two times a day, including a temperature check.

Will you tell me if there is a case of COVID-19 in our community?

• Yes. If we are made aware of a positive COVID-19 case by someone in your community, we will notify residents and their families.

Are you testing residents and staff for COVID-19?

• We know many of you are interested in making more COVID-19 tests available to members of our community. Local health officials are responsible for determining all COVID-19 testing protocols. We will continue to work with our county and state health departments. If they decide that broad testing is necessary and appropriate in a Sterling Estates community, we will fully support this effort and notify you that this is taking place.

Resident Illness

• How are you checking residents?
  • In assisted living and memory care, we are proactively monitoring the temperatures and symptoms of all residents. Residents in independent living are encouraged to contact the community care team to inquire about the symptoms to be looking for as well as ask about prevention best practices.
• What happens if a resident has symptoms?
  • We will assist and report to EMS any residents with cold-like or flu-like symptoms, including fever of more than 100.4°, coughing, or shortness of breath with contacting their physician for medical care.

Comments & Concerns

• Who do I call if I have a comment, concern, or complaint?
  • The first person you should call is your community’s executive director.
    • Fayetteville: Holly Woods 770-461-0039
    • East Cobb: Ann White 678-946-4445
    • West Cobb: Deana Harris 770-255-7000
  • We will respond to you as quickly as possible, but usually within 24 hours.

Community Entry

• Who is allowed in the community?
  • No visitors are permitted at Sterling Estates of West Cobb until further notice.
• What are your screening procedures for people entering the community?
  • There are no visitors allowed at this time. Our staff and Health care providers entering the community will be asked questions about possible cold-like symptoms, recent travel, and if they have been exposed to a known or suspected case of COVID-19 or work in another health care facility with a positive COVID-19 case. We also take everyone’s temperature to ensure they do not have a fever.
• Why are you closed to visitors?
  • As we monitor the spread of COVID-19 around the country, and understanding that this virus is most dangerous for seniors, we feel that an apartment quarantine is a necessary step toward keeping everyone safe.
• How long will this last?
  • The COVID-19 pandemic is an ever-evolving situation. We will lift the quarantine and restrictions when we feel it is safe to do so, and based on recommendations from agencies such as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state departments of health.
• What are the exceptions to this policy?
  • We will make limited exceptions in extreme or emergency cases. These must be expressly approved by the community’s executive director. Anyone entering the community under these circumstances will be screened upon arrival.
• Will my private duty caregiver be allowed to enter the community?
  • Yes. Health care providers, including home health, private duty, nursing services, physicians, physical therapy, and hospice staff will be granted access to the community once they have completed our entry screening procedures.
• What if there is an emergency?
  • Emergency medical/fire services personnel are able to enter the community if needed. We will make limited exceptions in extreme or emergency cases for family members. These cases must be expressly approved by the community’s executive director. Anyone entering the community under these circumstances will be screened upon arrival.
• Can I visit with my loved ones outdoors but on the community grounds?
  • Because our communities are under quarantine and outside guests pose a risk of exposure to residents, we ask that you do not have in-person visits.
• Are there other ways that I can get to see my loved ones?
  • The dedicated teams at every community are equipped and ready to help facilitate phone call or even a virtual visit using services such as Apple FaceTime, Skype, or Zoom. We’d also love for you to send videos or other messages through community staff. Call and we will tell you how.
• Can I volunteer to help residents and the community?
  • Thank you for interest in sharing your time and talent with our residents. Because the safety of our residents and staff is our priority, we have placed all communities under quarantine and no visitors are allowed at this time. Please contact us via email our team will coordinate a way for you or your organization to help remotely.
  • We have already received many donated masks (over 200) from family members, staff and friends of the partners. These masks have been deployed for our staff to use along with their surgical masks. Thus allowing us to extend the useful life of our surgical masks.
    • That being said, if anyone else is interested in trying to make cloth masks to donate, instructions from the CDC can be found here. Please reach out directly to the community if you are able to help.

Resident Exit & Reentry

• Are residents allowed to leave?
  • We ask that you remain in the community in the interest of everyone’s safety. If you have an essential medical appointment, please let us know.
• Why are residents not allowed to leave their apartments if there is a confirmed case of COVID-19?
  • If there is a confirmed case of the COVID-19 virus with any of our residents or staff, as an added precaution to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our community, residents would be quarantined to their apartments for no less than 14 days since the first day of reported symptoms..
• Why are residents who live in cottages or freestanding homes not allowed into the building?
  • We are not monitoring the comings and goings of residents who live in cottages or freestanding homes. Therefore, we cannot allow them to enter the main community building.
• What happens if someone goes to the hospital and is ready to return to the community?
  • Residents who are returning from the hospital will be screened just like others who enter the community.
  • In following local and federal guidance anyone returning from a hospitalization will be under quarantine in their residence for 14 days.

Deliveries

• How do deliveries work?
  • Deliveries will be made outside the building and a staff member will accept them and take them to residents.
• Can I bring something to a resident?
  • Yes. We will follow our delivery procedure to have a staff member meet you at the entrance to accept your items and take them to the resident.

Personal Needs

• What if I need personal supplies? (Over-the-counter medications, soap, shampoo, etc.)
  • We recommend that a family member bring your items to the front of the community, where a staff member will accept them. We can help you set up an account with online grocery and pharmacy delivery services, such as Instacart, to order essentials.
  • We are also here to help, just let us know if we can pick anything up for you.
• Will the salon remain open?
  • No. The salon inside the community is temporarily closed.

Medical Needs

• How will I get to my doctors’ appointments?
  • We ask that you remain in the community in the interest of everyone’s safety. If you have an essential medical appointment, please let us know. We encourage you to use telemedicine if your physician offers that service.
• Can a family member pick me up for my doctors’ appointments?
  • We ask that you remain in the community in the interest of everyone’s safety. If you have an essential medical appointment, please let us know.
  • We are also here to help, just let us know if we can pick anything up for you.
• If I live in an independent living apartment, how do I pick up my prescriptions and over the counter medicines from the pharmacy?
  • We can help you set up an account with online grocery and pharmacy delivery services, such as Instacart, to order essentials
  • We are also here to help, just let us know if we can pick anything up for you.
• What if I need hospice care?
  • Health care providers, including home health, private duty, nursing services, physicians, physical therapy, and hospice staff will be granted access to the community once they have completed our entry screening procedures.

Dining

• How do meals work?
  • We will deliver all meals, snacks, and beverages to your apartment/cottage.

Staff

• How are staff screened?
  • We take all staff members’ temperatures every day. If anyone has a fever or has cold-like symptoms, we do not allow them to work until they are symptom-free.
  • We also screen all staff by asking the following questions:
    • Have you been out of the country? Which one(s)? ____________________
    • Have you been exposed to anyone with COVID-19 (Corona Virus)
    • Do you have a fever?
    • Have you been coughing?
    • Do you have any unusual muscle aches?
    • Are you experiencing any shortness of breath?
    • Do you have any loss of taste?
    • Where have you been outside of this building in the last 24hrs?

At this time No visitors are permitted in any community until further notice.

• We will make limited exceptions in extreme or emergency cases. These must be expressly approved by the Executive Director. Anyone entering the community under these circumstances will be screened upon arrival.
• Only essential health care providers, including home health, private duty, nursing services, physicians, physical therapy, and hospice staff will be granted access to the community once they have completed our entry screening procedures.
• In following the guidance of our home health partners, all non-essential physical, occupational and speech therapies have been suspended at this time. These changes should also be communicated to you directly by your home health provider. Sterling will work directly with you and your loved one to offer necessary supports until those services resume.
• All of these caretakers will check in with the front desk, screened and will have their temperatures taken.
• The assisted living building now only has one entrance as all secondary access points have been secured ensuring there is only one point of entry (still ensuring that the community meets all state safety codes).
• Assisted Living residents are required to remain on community grounds, except for necessary medical care. And our Independent Residents are encouraged to limit their public exposure by staying on community grounds.
• Any resident returning from a necessary medical appointment outside of the community will be required to stay in his/her apartment for 14 days upon their return and will be closely monitored.
• We know that social distancing is difficult. In order to ensure that we keep everyone in our buildings safe, please only deliver necessary items for your loved ones.
  • Call ahead before coming to the community.
  • A staff member will meet you outside the building to receive your package.
  • The package will then be sanitized with an antiviral cleaning agent before being delivered to your loved one.

Community Life

• Our staff is committed to maintaining as much of a normal life in the community as possible with a few temporary exceptions:
  • We have eliminated all group outings.
  • All group gatherings, such as book clubs and religious services, will be hosted by our staff or held via virtual means.
  • Transportation services are limited to necessary medical appointments only.
  • The salon will be closed until further notice.
• We have updated our activity plans and calendars to adjust for smaller group (under 10 people at a time) activities, more outdoor events, as well as utilize all available technology in order to ensure our residents remain safe but also engaged.
  • We continue to offer programming for our residents: from activities that are conducted outside to those in our buildings where there is at least 6 feet of separation (we even have a separation stick we use to remind everyone what 6 feet looks like!). We know how important this type of engagement is to our community.
• We have updated our care plans to include inquiring / assisting calling a loved one in order to help families stay connected.
• We are encouraging the use of more video calling tools (i.e. Facetime) so that both our residents and their loved ones can connect on a more personal level as we take our social distancing procedures to heart. We have even setup Facetime support tables where residents can come, and our staff can assist in setting up calls.
• If you or your loved one needs any additional support on setting up video calls, please reach out to the community directly and we will help coordinate.

Dining

• To avoid close contact during meals, our main dining rooms will be closed

Wellness Center

• Moving forward the main wellness center is closed to independent residents.

Cottage Residents:

• We implore all cottage residents to heed this guidance and only leave the campus for essential services (as articulated above).
  1. Essential Services include grocery shopping, medical or pharmacy visits.
  2. With that, we would love to help out on these errands as we are able. Please reach out and schedule with us.
• Moving forward, we ask that you not enter: the main assisted living building, the Hampton building and Stratford building.
  1. Please reach out to both the wellness and activities teams to better define what you can do in your homes.
  2. We can also provide you with personal workout equipment so as to allow you to continue to exercise in your own cottage.
• We ask that you follow applicable social distancing measures when not in your cottage, which includes maintaining a minimum of 6 feet of separation from other people.
• We recommend that you do participate in outdoor activities where the necessary safety precautions have been taken into account, including:
  1. Outdoor exercise classes
  2. Outdoor walking groups
  3. Gardening (where additional personal hygiene stations have been added)
• Coming soon to channel 961 various activities including: wellness classes, movies, guided activities and more

Independent Apartment Residents:

• No visitors are permitted in our community until further notice.
• Limit group gatherings within the building to under 10 people and follow all social distancing guidance.
• Stratford residents should no longer enter the Hampton building and Hampton residents should no longer enter the Stratford building.
  • We will be adding work out equipment to the Stratford building.
• Only leave the campus for essential services (as articulated above).
• We ask that you follow applicable social distancing measures when not in your cottage, which includes maintaining a minimum of 6 feet of separation from other people.
• We recommend that you do participate in outdoor activities where the necessary safety precautions have been taken into account, including:
  1. Outdoor exercise classes
  2. Outdoor walking groups
  3. Gardening (where additional personal hygiene stations have been added)
• Coming soon to channel 961 various activities including: wellness classes, movies, guided activities and more.

Engagement in Memory Care Neighborhoods

Our approach to caring for people living with dementia has not changed in light of COVID-19. We have dementia experts on staff who remain focused on ensuring residents living with dementia are receiving quality care and attention. While this care and attention may look a little different during this time, we are doing our best to keep everyone safe.

Rest assured we will do our best to keep creativity and meaningful moments up and loneliness down!

At Sterling Estates of West Cobb, we focus on giving you proactive and thorough communication. As always, we will update you with any changes to life in the community. If you have any questions, please reach out to your community’s executive director by calling the community directly.

Emory personal checker for COVID: https://c19check.com/start

Center for Disease Control: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2Findex.html

Georgia Department of Health: https://dph.georgia.gov

COVID 19 Health Data.Org: https://covid19.healthdata.org

Empowering and Protecting Your Family During This COVID-19 Pandemic, Dr David Price: https://vimeo.com/399733860

Executive Orders

Mask links

Cobb County Links

Staff Precautions

• Our staff are trained in proper infectious disease precautions and procedures, including the proper use of protective equipment, cleaning, and hand washing. We also provide ongoing training in these areas to keep everyone up-to-date.
• We take all staff members’ temperature every day. If anyone has a fever or has cold-like symptoms, we do not allow them to work until they are symptom-free.
• We ask all staff members who are sick to stay home until they are well.

Support for Staff

We are taking steps to support our staff during this time so that they can focus on their health and on taking care of residents.

• In the event of school closures, we will pay for staff members' child care expenses if needed.
• If a staff member does not have health insurance, we will pay for their costs of visiting a physician or urgent care to be tested and rule out any contagious illness.
• We don't want an empty paid time off (PTO) balance to stand in the way of staff members taking the necessary time off to get well at home if they are sick. If a staff member's PTO balance is empty, we will continue to pay them while sick with a contagious illness.

Staff letters

FAQ on Cares Act: https://www.nytimes.com/article/coronavirus-stimulus-package-questions-answers.html

Media Statement

Please reach out to each community for any questions or concerns. That said, we will post updates here for the media as necessary.