Update from Administrator – July 6, 2021

Update from Administrator – July 6, 2021

Dear Families,

As we continue to see diminishing COVID numbers in our state and region, we are excited to announce a new round of updated guidance from the state Department of Public Health that we have implemented at our center. This is another step in getting our center back to “normal” for visitors. Please bear with us as we are required to update some of our policies since COVID and may experience some bumps in the road we implement them.

As a reminder – if your loved one is not yet vaccinated, please contact Worcester Rehabilitation and Health Care Center at 508-860-5000 to schedule a vaccination. As you will see in the below new guidance, vaccinated individuals, both residents and their visitors, will see a significant reduction in previous COVID-19 restrictions / precautions. If your loved one has not been vaccinated yet, please continue to give it serious consideration. We will continue to advocate and encourage any staff who have not received their vaccination to do so ASAP. We will also continue to provide the opportunity and availability of the vaccine to unvaccinated staff and residents.

• Visitors are still required to complete our COVID-19 screening process, completing our screening questions for COVID-19 and confirm no exposure to others with COVID-19 infection during the prior 14 days prior to a visit.
• Visitors and residents, as they are able to do so, must wear a face mask for the duration of the visit except when the resident and visitor are fully vaccinated (14 days or more from receiving the final dose in the vaccine series).

• Some very exciting updates:
  • Visitors do not need to be escorted to resident rooms.
  • Visits do not need to be supervised.
  • All previous limitations related to length of visit or number of visits no longer applies.
  • Visits no longer need to be prearranged through the recreation department. However, if you would still like to do a virtual visit, please let us know.
  • There may be up to two visitors at a time in the resident’s room if both residents and visitors are fully vaccinated.

• • Residents who are fully vaccinated may visit with loved ones who are fully vaccinated in their rooms,
    • if they reside in a private room
    • if their roommate is also fully vaccinated.

• • Residents and visitors who are fully vaccinated may visit without distancing and source control masks if alone in the resident’s room.
  • Visits can now occur in common areas (e.g., lounges).
  • Social distancing is still in effect for our visitors – please socially distance from our staff and others not-related to you, especially in common areas and during activities.

• Should a resident or staff member test positive, the unit, floor or care area will suspend visitation on that section until the unit, floor or care area has gone 14 days without a new COVID positive case. This guideline has not changed. Yet another reason for everyone to get vaccinated.

• • Compassionate Care visit will NOT be suspended.

Outdoor Visitation Space:

• Residents who are fully vaccinated may visit with loved ones who are fully vaccinated without maintaining social distancing or wearing masks.

Dining and Group Activities:

• Participating residents must wear a mask if any of the participating residents are not fully vaccinated. Social distancing is no longer required.
• If all participating residents are fully vaccinated, then residents do not need to wear a mask.
• Small groups of residents who are fully vaccinated may dine together at a table without social distancing or wearing masks.

Special Events

          Worcester Rehabilitation and Health Care Center is hosting a Carnival Event in our main parking lot across from the entrance. Friday July 9^th, 2021, from 1:30-3:00pm we will be offering:

• Carnival inspired foods such as corn dogs, popcorn, and cotton candy. The ice cream man will also be making an appearance!
• Carnival activities such as a dunk tank, inflatable football, mini golf, make your own sand art, a tattoo station, inflatable bowling, corn hole and bag toss, matching games, etc.

• FAMILIES are Welcome and Encouraged to join their loved ones for a fun-filled afternoon!

We hope you have a great week and look forward to seeing you!!

Saeed Pourali, LNHA, Dr. B.A.

Administrator

Worcester Rehabilitation & Health care Center

administrator@worcesterrhcc.com

(508) 860-5000