LifeWell Senior Living is increasingly taking action every day to help prevent the spread of coronavirus COVID-19. We continue to make decisions that are rooted in our unwavering commitment to provide a safe, secure environment for everyone who lives and works in our communities. All LifeWell communities have tirelessly been at work to improve upon our policies and procedures with the ever-changing climate this pandemic is causing.
As we continue to follow the guidance and recommendations of local and federal governments and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, we are implementing extra precautionary measures as needed or as the opportunities present themselves.
All LifeWell Senior Living communities and its employees are abiding by these recommendations. It is in everyone’s best interest that we continue to restrict non-essential visitation. We are creating opportunities to communicate with families via video conference through a variety of mediums. We are exercising all avenues of opportunity of connecting our residents with their families as we adhere to the visitation restrictions of the government, CDC, and national trade associations (American Health Care Association, National Center for Assisted Living).
Our goal is to provide the highest quality lifestyle while continuing to provide love and care within these guidelines to help keep a healthy and safe environment.
As the ability to test for COVID-19 becomes more available, we expect to see more of our own team members and residents tested as healthcare workers and the elderly population are at the highest risk in the country. Our commitment is to alert you if there is a confirmed case of COVID-19 within the community. While we understand that more team members and residents may be tested, it is our highest priority to respect privacy.
Health care workers are at the highest risk of demographic in the country aside from the elderly populations. As the ability to test for COVID-19 becomes more available, we expect to see more of our own team members and residents tested. Our commitment is to alert you if there is a confirmed case of COVID-19 within the community. While we understand that more team members and residents may be tested, it is our highest priority to respect privacy, and hope you do the same.
We anticipate the likelihood of exposure to our residents is significantly decreased due to the current protective measures we have in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Effective Immediately Until Further Notice:
- Family, friends, and non-essential visitors will NOT be allowed into any LifeWell/Legacy community. Limited exceptions may be made for family members for circumstances of hardship, and only prior to visitor pre-screening in accordance with the CDC and approval of the Executive Team.
- All community events, group gatherings, group travel, and off-site outings have been canceled until further notice.
- It is strongly advised that family members refrain from taking their loved ones outside of the community during this time. If the resident leaves the community, they will only be permitted back after they have been screened prior to and upon arrival at the community.
- Home health, hospice care providers, private duty caregivers, and medical professionals will be able to continue to provide care to our residents only after they have been screened prior to and upon arrival at the community.
- Residents returning from a health care facility or hospital will be assessed and screened to determine if the resident is appropriate to return to the community.
- New residents moving into the community will be assessed and screened, and the community will follow proper procedures in accordance with local and federal health departments.
- Should a resident show symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough, shortness of breath), the community will follow proper protocols in which the resident will be sent to the hospital or medical professional to be properly tested and follow the guidance of local and federal health departments.
- Employees will be screened daily and will be asked to leave immediately if showing symptoms of COVID-19, and will not be allowed to return to work for 14 days.
- All vendor deliveries should be made curbside or no further than the vestibule of the community.
- In addition to a health related prescreen, employees and essential visitors will be asked if they have traveled internationally, been around someone that has traveled internationally, traveled to another state experiencing widespread community transmission, been on a cruise, and has had contact with an affected person of coronavirus COVID-19 in the past 14 days. If they answer any questions with a ‘yes’ or present with symptoms, they will be asked to self-quarantine, work remotely if applicable, or not enter the community for no less than 14 days.
- Social distance is being monitored and encouraged throughout the community while dividing larger gatherings into multiple areas of the community.
- Dining room is temporarily closed and all dining services will be in-room only until further notice.
- All team members will wear masks out of extreme caution.
- Essential health care visitors, home health and hospice providers are required to wear a mask upon entry. There is continued monitoring to ensure these visits remain essential.
- Specific guidelines are in place for residents returning from hospital, skilled nursing or rehabilitation.
- Residents are encouraged to stay in their suites and not come out unless it is absolutely essential. If residents need to leave their suite, we ask they wear a mask out of extreme caution.
- Elevators, offices, and any small, enclosed areas are limited to one person at a time as we continue to practice social distancing as an entire community.
LifeWell and its communities kindly ask that all team members, residents, families, vendors, and the greater community to please help in keeping the communities and its residents safe by taking responsible actions.
- Wash your hands often and thoroughly with soap and running water for at least 20 seconds, especially before eating or preparing food, after going to the bathroom and after you have been around someone who is sick.
- Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if you are unable to wash with soap and water.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
- Disinfect frequently used surfaces, often
- Avoid sharing dishes, glasses and utensils.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue and then throw it away preferably in a trash can with a lid, or use a flexed elbow action in the event a tissue is unavailable
- Stay home and do not visit the community if you are sick
- Do not visit the community if you have recently traveled internationally or have been around someone that has traveled
- Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, drink plenty of fluids, and more
We understand that the LifeWell community will be rightfully concerned. LifeWell Senior Living will provide further updates when necessary to keep our residents, families, and communities safe and informed. The safety and wellbeing of our residents, families, and team members are our highest priority. While we understand there is a desire to communicate directly with the community, please to the degree possible keep our phone lines free for emergent communication and to allow the community level teams to focus on the care of the residents.
As we continue with our visitation restrictions, please reach out directly to your executive director or contact LifeWell Senior Living should you have any questions.
This global pandemic evolves each and every day, and we will continue to make decisions that are committed to provide a safe, secure environment for everyone who lives and works in our communities. This may require us to take more action as events unfold in real time.
In the meantime, you can find information about the Coronavirus at these websites:
If you have questions, please reach out directly to the Executive Director of your respective community. You may also contact LifeWell Senior Living at (713) 255-3500 or info@lifewellsl.com.