BUFFALO (WBEN) - Amid concern over the novel coronavirus, Elderwood is taking precaution and restricting visitors in four states, including New York.
"The disease is particularly risky for the population who reside in our senior care communities," said Chuck Hayes, vice president marketing & communications. "The idea really is that you want to control what you can. Obviously, the population that we care for is a population that is at a significantly higher risk for adverse outcomes from the COVID-19 disease."
No unnecessary visitors will be allowed into the facilities, and those who must enter, including Elderwood staff, must complete a health screening prior to moving throughout the facility.
Family and friends are asked to postpone visits unless absolutely necessary, and permission will be required from the facility.
"Of course this is going to be with education and strong encouragement from the facilities to limit the number of exposures that occur with individuals from the community coming into the facility," said Chief Nursing Officer, Rebecca Littler. "We're offering different alternative means of communication."
Elderwood is stressing there are currently no cases of COVID-19, suspected or confirmed at any of their care communities.
Based on guidance from the CDC and other health agencies regarding COVID-19, and an abundance of caution, Elderwood has issued temporary visitor restrictions at all of our senior care communities in New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont. No unnecessary visitors will be allowed into these facilities. Those individuals that must enter, including Elderwood staff, must complete a health screening prior to moving throughout the facility.
Anyone, including facility staff and vendors, who require access to Elderwood senior care communities must undergo a health screening to review recent international travel and to evaluate any signs or symptoms of respiratory illness. Anyone who has traveled to an area of increased incidence of COVID-19 or who displays symptoms will be denied access.
Family and friends are asked to postpone visiting residents within Elderwood care communities unless absolutely necessary. Permission to do so from the facility will be required. The greatest risk to residents comes from individuals introducing pathogens from the community into the facility.
Additionally, Elderwood has suspended student clinical rotation programs, volunteer activities, group activities at the facilities and group outings into the community. “These measures display an abundance of caution, that we believe are prudent given the impact COVID-19 has had on populations like those in our senior communities,” Littler added. Elderwood is encouraging the use of technology like Facetime, Skype, and even phone calls to keep in touch with loved ones.
