Mitigated Move-in Process for New Residents
As they say, ‘it takes a village,’ and at Edgewood, we certainly know that to be true. It may look a bit different right now, but our village of experts is here to support seniors and their families; safe social distancing doesn’t have to mean being alone. We’ve implemented mitigated move-in processes, allowing Edgewood to welcome new residents needing extra support now more than ever.
We understand that the current COVID-19 pandemic has created many new challenges for seniors and their families. At Edgewood, we’re here to help to alleviate some of those concerns by offering additional support throughout a new resident’s transition, including such things as:
- Nursing staff will monitor residents’ physical health, mental health, and psychosocial needs on an ongoing basis to ensure their transition is successful.
- Our goal is to help residents thrive in their new homes by meeting each individual’s personal needs through appropriate care planning and interventions, such as:
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- Regular one-on-one visits with Life Enrichment and other care staff
- Visits with Licensed Social Workers, as needed
- Appropriate assessment and utilization of outpatient therapy services (Physical, Occupational and/or Speech Therapy)
- Healthcare visits with our In-Home Providers and other medical professionals either on-site or via Telehealth technology
Additionally, to facilitate a smooth transition for new resident move-ins while still ensuring we protect the health and safety of current residents and staff, Edgewood has implemented the following best practices:
- New residents will be expected to follow all current CDC, state health department, and Edgewood protocols to avoid potential infection or spread of COVID-19. This includes a period of in-apartment social distancing and meeting the criteria for the symptom-and time-based strategy and/or abiding by CDC recommendations regarding a test-based strategy (determined by the Department of Health on a state-by-state basis):
- Symptom-and Time-Based Protocol: new residents are expected to remain in their apartment for their first 14 days in the Edgewood community; just like individuals are currently social distancing at home and in public, residents should think of their apartment as their new home and avoid entering the rest of the community until they have been cleared to do so.
- When available, Edgewood communities will utilize a Rule-Out Center, designating a specific set of rooms to be used for the 14-day observation of all new residents. Once it’s been verified that each new resident is not at risk of being positive for COVID-19, Edgewood staff will help move the resident to his or her previously selected apartment, and any in-apartment social distancing will be discontinued.
- New move-ins to Independent or Assisted Living communities will be expected to follow the protocols above.
- New move-ins to Memory Care communities will also follow the protocols outlined above but may additionally require the utilization of either a third-party Personal Care Service (PCS) or a preferred provider (family members are permitted) to help ensure proper in-apartment social distancing can be maintained.
- To ensure the resident remains in his or her apartment, a maximum of 1 individual will be allowed when utilizing family members. Any family members will be required to follow our symptom-monitoring protocols and utilize the appropriate PPE.
Why Social Distance Alone When You Can Social Distance with Us?
In addition to all the in-home nursing and healthcare services already discussed, there are many physical and/or social benefits to living in a senior living community, including things such as:
- In-room dining service & housekeeping (some Edgewood communities have been permitted to go back to limited communal dining as well)
- One-on-one activities & visits with staff (some Edgewood communities have been permitted to go back to small group activities)
- Assistance with technology & social media to stay connected with family
- Ability to walk the “neighborhood” and visit with other residents while safely social distancing
