Letter to Residents & Families 7.23.2020

July 23, 2020

July 23, 2020

Dear Sunrise Residents, Families & Friends,

This is a weekly COVID update from Sunrise Retirement Community.  Today we were notified that a staff member has received positive test results for COVID-19. This particular staff member worked in the nursing facility prior to feeling ill and did not show symptoms at work.  There are currently 5 other staff members with pending test results.

Cumulatively since April 20, Sunrise has reported 17 individuals with COVID-19 positive test results and sixteen of them have completed their isolation periods.  No residents have had positive test results at this time.

There are several factors for us to consider as we review the operational phase we are currently in.  Positivity rates in the community appear to be below 10%, as reported by both the Siouxland District Health and the State of Iowa.  Additionally our facility has adequate levels of PPE and our local hospitals have open ICU beds, which are also important factors in our decision making process.  However, since we several staff members with pending test results, we have decided that we need to delay moving to the next phase of opening until we know these results.

While we remain in Phase 1, we will continue to host scheduled, outdoor visits for residents in the health center and assisted living.  All guests must be wearing a mask when they come into the reception area, so if you do not have a mask please wait in the vestibule until the receptionist can provide you with a mask.  Visiting hours are from 8am to 3pm and appointments can be made with Erin Anderson by calling 276-3821 x 3130.  ALL visitors must answer screening questions & receive a name tag, regardless of how they are visiting – meaning that even window visits must go through the screening. The visiting guidelines are posted on our website and were mailed with the July billing statements.   

Sunrise, assisted living and nursing facility, continues to implement the following:

  • Following all CMS and CDC guidelines for limiting guests or outside entities in the facility, cancelling all resident activities.  Nursing residents continue to stay in their rooms/apartments as much as possible including at meals when possible.  Assisted living residents are allowed to take their meals in the dining room with social distancing and 50% capacity.
  • Assess residents and tenants every shift and closely monitor for any changes in condition.
  • Staff are monitored at the beginning and end of each of their shifts, are encouraged to be careful of where they are going in public and stay home if they do not feel well.   Staff are also encouraged to stay home if they live with someone who is experiencing symptoms or have tested positive, even if they are not.
  • Staff are required to wear appropriate personal protection equipment when in the facility and residents are encouraged to wear masks or cover their noses/mouths during personal care with nursing staff.

Check out the COVID-19 page on the Sunrise website.  It is a resource for regular updates from Sunrise and also contains links to the following agencies:  Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Center for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS), Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH), Department of Inspections & Appeals (DIA) and Siouxland District Health.  

We are following reporting guidelines to ensure our residents, resident representatives & families have current information as required.  We desire to be transparent in our communications, while protecting the privacy of those who become sick. 

Our communications will reach the resident’s primary contact automatically, so if other contacts wish to receive notices, please sign up for our e-newsletter and/or follow our Facebook page so that you have quick access to up-to-date information on the status of the health of our residents and staff.  All of our notices are also posted on our website – www.sunriseretirement.com.  You can sign up for the newsletter at the bottom of the homepage.  You can also notify the business office for assistance in being added to the automated communication system.

Thank you for your support and cooperation as we work to ensure a safe environment for our residents.  Please keep Sunrise residents and staff in your prayers.

Sincerely,

Hallie Salmen, CEO          &             Chris Schenkelberg, Administrator

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