COVID-19 Resident Update | Information and Precautions
April 23, 2020
We continue to closely monitor the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. It remains our goal to stay vigilant and focus on creating the safest possible environment for our residents and employees. Although significant progress is being made against the COVID-19 fight in California, we remind all residents, family members, and employees that it is important to “stay the course” and continue to follow all guidance from local, state, and federal officials.
We encourage you to access the links below for updated information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and your county’s Health Department.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): How to protect yourself and what to do if you are sick.
Guidance for Retirement Communities and Independent Living
Alameda County
April 9, 2020
We are pleased to be hearing some positive news related to COVID-19 in California. This seems to be a direct result of the strong mitigation efforts put into place early on. As the Governor suggests, the curve appears to be bending. This was the initial goal, so critical health resources wouldn’t get overwhelmed early on and result in potentially tragic outcomes. But health officials will now remind us – this also means the curve is stretching out further since it is likely fewer CA residents have been exposed to COVID-19. The risk remains high.
What does this mean for us? It means that we should be proud of our efforts to date and hopeful for the future. But it also requires that we not let our guard down. We need to continue to closely follow health official guidance even as we’re tempted to relax and visit briefly with friends and family during the holidays or run a quick errand that has been long postponed. Now is not the time to let up.
It remains critically important to keep practicing what we have all been asked to do:
- Social Isolation – Stay at Home and Avoid Social Gatherings
- Physical Distancing – Remain minimum of 6 feet away from others
- Face Coverings – Wearing face covering when you are not able to maintain physical distancing
- Cover Your Coughs and Sneezes
- Wash Your Hands
- Avoid Touching Your Face
We continue to have a strict NO VISITOR policy in place, even over the holidays. We realize this is difficult, but it was put in place to protect everyone.
We look forward to the day we can greet and maybe even hug each other in person. Thank you for taking care of yourself and others and supporting our community’s response during these unprecedented times.
April 2, 2020
We understand that everyone wishes we could regain some degree of normalcy in these continued uncertain and challenging times.
The good news is that health officials believe California’s aggressive efforts are working to “flatten the curve” by slowing the rate of spread so that health care systems will not be as overwhelmed. The tough news is that these efforts must continue and may need to be even more restrictive for a while.
For example, Alameda County just implemented a new, more restrictive health order that is in effect until at least May 3rd. The order can be found at Shelter in Place Order
It is likely that other California jurisdictions will enact further restrictions and even tighter definitions on mandatory social distancing, closure of public spaces, and non-essential services.
Our lives have all been significantly disrupted and many of the services here in our community have been modified or suspended. While we are continually evaluating which services we could reinstate, we are required to adhere to directives from local, state and federal officials. We appreciate your understanding.
The one service we currently are making plans to partially reinstate is a limited housekeeping service for those who request assistance to maintain healthy and sanitary conditions in your home. The focus is likely to be on resident bathrooms and kitchen and dining areas. Look for more information early next week.
In the meantime, here is new guidance from the CDC:
March 26,2020
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Is the company laying people off or reducing hours?
A: Each community is continuing to hire and none are laying employees off or reducing hours. Please refer your friends and family.
Q: How is the community doing with staffing?
A: At this time, we are doing well. We continue to make contingency plans to address staffing shortages if they occur. Additionally, management has made accommodations to assist employees financially with childcare if needed.
Q: When will the community begin allowing guest or vendors on property:
A: Management is continually monitoring the situation. We are following CDC and health official guidance. At this time, we continue to restrict all non-essential visitors.
Q: When will dining, resident activities, bi-weekly housekeeping, routine maintenance and other services resume?
A: Management is continually monitoring the situation. For the safety of all, we are continuing to cancel these services. If you believe you have an immediate need, please contact the appropriate department and your request will be taken under consideration.
Q: Can I take a walk outside?
A: Yes, we encourage you to exercise outside. It is important to observe social distancing of 6 feet or more and not congregate in groups.
Q: Does the company have enough Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for employees?
A: We have significant supplies of necessary PPE and continue to obtain more. However, health providers in the area and nationally are concerned about the shortage of key supplies. Therefore, we are following CDC and health official guidance on “limited res-use” and other strategies to use PPE when most appropriate. We are currently focused on working with department directors to ensure employees are trained on proper use and maintenance of PPE.
Q: Do employees need to wear PPE for their daily jobs?
A: Employees continue wearing the appropriate PPE do safely perform their job. Most community situations, per CDC and health official guidance, indicate no need for employees to wear additional PPE (N95 respirators, face shields or gowns), including delivery of meals unless delivering medical care to a suspected infected or knowingly infected person.
Q: Will we be made aware if any cases of COVID-19 occur in our community?
A: Yes, if the community has any confirmed cases, we will make residents aware. Given the increasing prevalence nationally and locally, this is a likelihood at some point.
Q: How long will the Safety Kiosk be performing additional screening?
A: It is unknown at this time. We will continue to monitor the situation and follow the guidance of local, state and federal officials. It is our goal to create the safest possible environment for all employees and residents.
March 20, 2020
The health and safety of our residents and staff continue to be our number one priority. We remain focused on prevention and infection control procedures throughout the community.
We are in full support of Governor Newsom’s March 19 Executive Order for all individuals to stay “Safe at Home” except for obtaining food and necessary health care or if reporting to an essential job. Our employees are considered essential workers and are exempt from the stay-at-home order. Rest assured, Spieker Senior Development Partners is fully staffed in order to provide exceptional services and care to our residents.
We continue to restrict visitors to the community except for essential visitors. Essential visitors include government and public health officials, medical professionals, hospice, end-of-life counselors, and persons considered essential to the needs of a person in care. All employees and essential visitors are being screened and their temperature taken prior to entering the community.
Other safety measures:
- Dining rooms have been closed consistent with public health and federal/state/local direction.
- Fitness centers and pools are closed.
- “High touch” items including magazines, newspapers, board games, puzzles, and playing cards have been removed from common areas.
- Bi-weekly housekeeping and non-critical maintenance services have been suspended.
- All secondary perimeter entrances to the health center and residential living community have been locked down.
Most importantly, residents are strongly encouraged to self-isolate and maintain the minimum six feet of social distancing in the clubhouse and common areas. They are also asked to contact Resident Services immediately via phone if they are experiencing any fever or flu-like symptoms.
We will continue to provide updates with regard to our COVID-19 health and safety measures as necessary. Please contact us at covid@continuinglife.com if you have any questions.
March 16, 2020
Additional Precautions
Dear Residents of Spieker Senior Development Partners:
We wanted to update you on significant additional precautions we are putting into place this week consistent with CDC guidance and Governor Newsom’s direction that California residents over 65 years of age should self-isolate at home.
Although we are aware of no confirmed cases of COVID-19 on campus at this time, these steps are designed to address the reality that many other communities already have cases and Spieker Senior Development Partners must be prepared for this possibility. If a resident were to test positive, we would follow the directives of federal and state health officials and the resident’s individual healthcare providers, which would include at a minimum quarantine in their home. To protect the privacy of residents, please understand that we would not be able to disclose any information about that individual.
Please be aware that we are prohibiting all non-essential visitors at this time, cancelling all events and activities, and requesting that Spieker Senior Development Partners residents also follow Governor Newsom’s directive to self-isolate and avoid unnecessary contact with others. The only visitors that will be considered for entry into the community are government and public health officials, and persons essential to ensure the needs of a person in care are met. In addition, we have suspended housekeeping (but not linen service) and other non-essential visits to your homes. Information related to changes to Dining consistent with the goal of self-isolation will be forthcoming later today. Finally, if you have non-emergency needs, please contact the Front Desk and preserve the emergency pendants and/or pull cords for emergency response.
Please also be aware that if you must leave the community, you will be subject to the same screening procedures we have instituted for visitors and employees. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. If you elect to leave the community to stay with friends or family, we ask that you let the Front Desk know and keep us informed as to your expected return date. This will help us to be more efficient providing ongoing services to residents and allow us to avoid unnecessary wellness checks.
We appreciate your understanding with these rapidly evolving events. Inevitably, there will be some disruption and perhaps disappointment. We need to remain focused on the most critical issues at this time, but will try to meet as many other non-essential needs as possible once we establish some new routines.
We will continue to update you as new relevant information is available. Thank you for your cooperation to keep our community healthy.
Warren Spieker
760-704-6300
COVID-19: WHAT WE’RE DOING TO KEEP RESIDENTS AND STAFF SAFE AT THIS TIME
The health and well-being of our residents, families and staff are of utmost importance to us. To this end, we continue to closely monitor the spread of COVID-19 and implement the latest guidance from local, state and federal authorities. We are not aware of any cases of COVID-19 at our community at this time, but we are actively preparing to respond appropriately as the situation dictates.
As the World Health Organization has stated, “The fight against rumors and misinformation is a vital part of the battle against this virus.” With that in mind, we would like to share some of what we are currently doing at the community.
Visitor Access:
- In accordance with recommendations provided by the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare, we have restricted access to visitors at the Health Center which includes the Skilled Nursing and Assisted Living facility. Only essential visitors including medical professionals, hospice and other end-of-life counselors who are critical to the physical and emotional well-being of a resident will be admitted.
- We are not currently limiting access to the Residential Living community, but visitors, including family members, vendors, suppliers and contractors, are given flyers with essential infection control measures prior to entering the community and could be subject to screening questions and limitations or restricted access if warranted.
- We encourage residents to minimize visitors to the community in an effort to reduce the risk to the greater community.
- We ask that you do not come to the community if you have symptoms of illness OR if you have reason to believe you may have been exposed.
- If you have traveled to a Level 2 or Level 3 CDC travel-restricted country – currently, China, South Korea, Japan, Iran and a number of European nations – in the last 30 days, please do not visit until you are clear of travel for 14 days and have no signs or symptoms of infection.
- Please inform us of any recent international travel. As the virus evolves, the Level 2 and Level 3 travel-restricted countries may change.
- Please thoroughly wash your hands and use hand sanitizer frequently while in the buildings. This is vital to limiting the spread of infection and keeping both you and our residents safe. We have placed hand sanitizer stations throughout the community for your safety and convenience.
Cleaning and Disinfection Protocols:
We have reviewed our protocols and increased the frequency of cleaning and disinfection throughout the community. Particular attention is being paid to the “high-touch” areas throughout the community, including but not limited to:
- Elevator doors.
- Elevator buttons.
- Door knobs.
- Handrails.
- Computer lab equipment.
- Fitness machines, free weights, yoga mats and other gym equipment.
- Public restrooms.
- Spa and relaxation centers.
In addition, signage is posted at entrance points throughout the community. The signage is intended to remind residents, visitors and staff to practice safe habits, including to wash and sanitize their hands frequently, cover their cough, refrain from shaking hands and hugging, and avoid social interaction when not feeling well.
Food Service:
We also continue to evaluate our Food & Beverage program. Some recent changes include:
- Discontinuing all buffet service for residents.
- Providing prepared-to-order as well as pre-wrapped “grab and go” food items for residents.
- Food can be delivered to a resident’s home if needed.
- Discontinuing buffet service for employees in their break rooms. We are providing individually wrapped, pre-made food items for our staff.
- Frequent cleaning and removal of used items during morning coffee service. Individually wrapped pastries rather than pastry trays are being served.
Resident Activities:
- We are following the guidelines for large events established by Governor Newsom and have discontinued hosting any large, on-site events.
- All resident group activities are being evaluated in relation to health and safety. We are striving to maintain a balance between keeping our residents safe yet allowing them to enjoy the activities and social interaction they have come to expect.
- We have canceled all resident excursions to museums, theaters and other large venues still open to the public.
Employee Safety Protocols:
- Our team members are required to follow the same health and travel protocols asked of residents and visitors. Frequent handwashing and use of hand sanitizer are a requirement.
- Employees have been directed to stay home if they are not feeling well.
- Employees at the Health Center must sign in for every shift and respond to our questionnaire each time with regard to their health. This protocol will continue for the foreseeable future.
- Employees are required to sign in and sign out using their own pens to avoid contamination. Moreover, as knowledgeable front-line workers and as part of our community culture, employees are encouraged to offer their own ideas for managing the virus in the workplace.
Additional health and safety measures are being developed and will be implemented in response to the evolving nature of the virus. If you have any questions about the health and safety measures we are taking here at Spieker Senior Development Partners, please contact us at covid@continuinglife.com.
March 13, 2020
Dear Families and Friends of Spieker Senior Development Partners,
This message is to address the rising concern following the announcement by the World Health Organization (WHO) declaring the COVID-19 viral disease to be a pandemic. Please be assured that Spieker Senior Development Partners is doing its part to minimize threat to our community by implementing several practices that limit large gatherings, meetings, activities and non-essential events related to all aspects of our operation.
In addition, we have purchased additional supplies, and protective equipment to meet the potential increased needs for our community in the coming weeks. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation with my request to limit your visits to our community for the time being. If you consider your visits essential to the care and wellbeing of our residents, I ask that you stay in their apartment, and avoid common areas including having meals in our dining rooms. If you have any additional questions or concerns.
Lastly, the CDC has provided strategies to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 in Long-Term Care Facilities (LTCF). For the most up-to-date information, visit www.cdc.gov/covid19.
Thank you for your help keeping our community healthy!
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
The health and wellbeing of our residents, families and staff is of utmost importance to us. To this extent, we are closely monitoring coronavirus (COVID-19) spread and following the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Though the number of cases nationwide is relatively low at this time, as with the flu virus, the elderly are at higher risk. In addition to our prevention measures, we are also actively preparing our communities to provide care and support for our residents and team members for an extended period of time should a quarantine become necessary.
Many standard infection control and safety protocols are already in place as a part of our standard flu prevention plan. However, because of the risks associated with COVID-19, we are proceeding with an abundance of caution to protect our communities. We have increased the frequency of disinfecting all surfaces in common areas and have made sure that we have sufficient supplies on hand.
We ask all visitors to our communities to adhere to the following guidelines.
- We ask that you don’t come to the community if you have symptoms of illness OR if you have reason to believe you may have been exposed.
- If you have traveled to a Level 2 or Level 3 CDC travel-restricted country – currently China, South Korea, Japan, Italy and Iran – in the last 30 days, please don’t visit until you are clear of travel for 14 days and have no signs or symptoms of infection.
- Please inform us of any recent international travel. As the virus evolves, the Level 2 and Level 3 travel-restricted countries may change.
- Wash your hands. We have placed hand sanitizer stations throughout our communities. Please thoroughly wash your hands and use hand sanitizer often while in the buildings. This is vital to limiting the spread of infection and keeping both you and our residents safe.
Our team members, vendors and other service providers are being asked to adhere to the same health and travel standards.
Below are resources direct from the CDC. If any changes occur in our communities, our families will be notified directly.
Thank you for your support in helping to keep our residents and community employees healthy and safe.
Additional Resources CDC:
· 2019 Novel Coronavirus Situation Summary
· What you need to know about 2019 Novel Coronavirus Fact Sheet
· What to do if you are sick with 2019 Novel Coronavirus Fact Sheet
Information from Community:
