COVID-19 VIRUS UPDATES
While mass spread and vaccination programs are helping to greatly reduce case counts of COVID-19, we do continue to experience cases in our communities and within our staff. While mask mandates have been removed in all areas, as a health care community that serves a higher risk population, we will continue with some restrictions for our staff and visitors. While we understand that continuing such things as mask wearing is a burden, we do know that the protection of the vaccines or prior infection is not absolute. We have seen vaccinated residents contract COVID-19 and end up in the hospital. The risk remains for the spread of the virus in our communities so we will remain diligent.
We greatly appreciate everyone’s continued support for the health of our residents while we continue to offer Limited In-Person Visitation.
SEE WHAT WE HAVE BEEN UP TO WITH OUR RESIDENTS
COVID-19 VACCINES
We do understand that some people may be concerned about getting vaccinated. Home Again whole heartly has full faith in the CDC and government health officials to determine the safety of any approved vaccines. Below is some information about the vaccines. You can find more detailed materials on the CDC website and the Mayo Clinic website.
COVID-19 vaccines will not give you COVID-19
COVID-19 vaccines will not cause you to test positive on COVID-19 viral tests
People who have gotten sick with COVID-19 may still benefit from getting vaccinated
Getting vaccinated can help prevent getting sick with COVID-19
Receiving an mRNA vaccine will not alter your DNA
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The safety of COVID-19 vaccines is a top priority.
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Many vaccines are being developed and tested, but some might be ready before others—CDC is planning for many possibilities.
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At least at first, COVID-19 vaccines might be used under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
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There will be a limited supply of COVID-19 vaccines in December 2020, but supply will continually increase in the weeks and months that follow.
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Because of limited supply, some groups will be recommended to get a COVID-19 vaccine first.
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At first, COVID-19 vaccines may not be recommended for children.
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Cost will not be an obstacle to getting vaccinated against COVID-19.
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COVID-19 vaccine planning is being updated as new information becomes available.
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COVID-19 vaccination will help keep you from getting COVID-19
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- COVID-19 vaccines are being carefully evaluated in clinical trials and will be authorized or approved only if they make it substantially less likely you’ll get COVID-19.
- Based on what we know about vaccines for other diseases, experts believe that getting a COVID-19 vaccine may help keep you from getting seriously ill even if you do get COVID-19.
- Getting vaccinated yourself may also protect people around you, particularly people at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
- Experts continue to conduct more studies about the effect of COVID-19 vaccination on severity of illness from COVID-19, as well as its ability to keep people from spreading the virus that causes COVID-19.
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COVID-19 vaccination will be a safer way to help build protection
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- COVID-19 can have serious, life-threatening complications, and there is no way to know how COVID-19 will affect you. And if you get sick, you could spread the disease to friends, family, and others around you.
- Clinical trials of COVID-19 vaccines must first show they are safe and effective before any vaccine can be authorized or approved for use. The known and potential benefits of a COVID-19 vaccine must outweigh the known and potential risks of the vaccine for use under what is known as an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). Watch a video on what an EUA is.
- Getting COVID-19 may offer some natural protection, known as immunity. But experts don’t know how long this protection lasts, and the risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19 far outweighs any benefits of natural immunity. COVID-19 vaccination will help protect you by creating an antibody response without having to experience sickness.
- Both natural immunity and immunity produced by a vaccine are important aspects of COVID-19 that experts are trying to learn more about, and CDC will keep the public informed as new evidence becomes available.
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COVID-19 vaccination will be a safer way to help build protection
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- Wearing masks and social distancing help reduce your chance of being exposed to the virus or spreading it to others, but these measures are not enough. Vaccines will work with your immune system so it will be ready to fight the virus if you are exposed.
- The combination of getting vaccinated and following CDC’s recommendations to protect yourself and others will offer the best protection from COVID-19.
- Stopping a pandemic requires using all the tools we have available. As experts learn more about how COVID-19 vaccination may help reduce spread of the disease in communities, CDC will continue to update the recommendations to protect communities using the latest science.
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IMPORTANT GUIDELINES WE ARE FOLLOWING
The most important message we want to share is that we are taking this potential threat to our residents’ health very seriously and are enacting steps to prevent the spread of illness in our communities. This is a continually changing situation and we anticipate our approach to continue to evolve as we are provided further regulatory guidance and make internal decisions in the best interest of our residents.
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Limited In-Person Visitation continues due to the increase in COVID-19 cases.
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If a visitor has known exposure to COVID-19 or has a fever or any other symptoms of illness, we ask that they refrain from entering the building.
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All visitors and residents are required to wear a mask during the entire visit.
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We ask that visitors not congregate in common areas of the communities without prior approval.
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Vaccinated children aged 5 and above who are able to wear a mask may visit inside at this time. Visits with younger and unvaccinated children and family groups can occur outside the facilities.
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We have implemented teleconferencing (Google Hangout, Facetime, etc.) to our Residents and families upon request and we have many other ways of provided communication such as phone, email, etc. If you would like your loved one to receive writing from you, please email info@homeagainliving.com and your words will be printed and provided to your loved one.
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Home Again is doing everything in our power to currently keep our residents engaged and active. Please see our current efforts:
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To reduce the possible spread of illness in our buildings we are asking that all residents wear a face mask, using social distancing, and practicing good hand hygiene while they are outside of their individual apartment and using common areas both inside and outside of the buildings.
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When residents leave the community, we ask that they use as much precaution as they can, including
wearing a face mask, using social distancing, and practicing good hand hygiene to reduce their risk of
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Residents are currently allowed to roam about the building as they wish, we encourage them to practice social distancing-6 feet and are not allowing more than a handful of Residents in one area at one time. This is subject to change as things progress.
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Daily active screening of residents for fever and respiratory symptoms.
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Masks and continue to be worn at all times.
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Active screening of staff for fever and respiratory symptoms at the beginning of each shift worked.
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Staff are frequently tested for COVID-19
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Frequent cleaning and sanitization of common areas and high touch places throughout the community.
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Continual and thorough hand washing completed by all individuals within the community.
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Encouraging social distancing within the community when applicable.
We do understand that many people may have differing opinions on the necessity of the steps being taken across the country and we respect those opinions. However, we ask that everyone please understand the need for us to use an abundance of caution to protect our residents and caregivers. Please show our staff respect and understanding during this stressful time.
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP?
COVID-19 requirements, restrictions and information are continually evolving. To help our communications with you, please identify ONE primary point of contact for your family, if more than one is preferred, please communicate that to your Community Director. Currently we are only notifying “first call” family members with reliance of them relaying the information to fellow family.
Thank you for your attention to these requests and patience during this time. If you have any questions, please reach out to the management team at each location or you can email info@homeagainliving.com.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Residents still have the right to access the Ombudsman Program with the Board on Aging and Long Term Care. Do not hesitate to contact DHS with questions or concerns. DHS can be reached by phone at 1-800-815-0015, via e-mail at BOALTC@wisconsin.gov or online at http://longtermcare.wi.gov/
For more information please visit: