COVID-19 Information

To Our Residents, Family Members and Staff Members:

Update #28 | Dated: 6-04-20

As we approach the end of the week, we wanted to pass along a few updates.

1. We received updated guidance from the Department of Health (DOH) regarding how we approach individuals who have tested positive for the virus. This updated guidance can be found linked here for residents and here for staff. 
   • Previously, it was recommended that individuals who tested positive for the virus (including those who remained asymptomatic) should test negative for the virus after their 10-day illness period/resolution of symptoms.
   • Over the past few months the CDC has gathered more information and has now recommended changing this approach as individuals can continue to test positive for the virus (for more than 6 weeks after initial positive test) and not be infectious.
   • Moving forward we will follow the new DOH guidance and not require testing clearance for staff or residents if they do test positive for the virus. We will follow the clinical clearance guidance which is:
     • Symptomatic persons with confirmed COVID-19 or suspected COVID-19 can return to Sterling Estates/end isolation quarantine procedures:
       • At least 3 days (72 hours) have passed since recovery defined as resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications AND improvement in respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath); AND,
       • At least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared
     • Asymptomatic persons with confirmed COVID-19 can return to Sterling Estates/end isolation quarantine procedures:
       • At least 10 days have passed since the positive laboratory test and the person remains asymptomatic.
       • Note: asymptomatic persons who test positive and later develop symptoms should follow the guidance for symptomatic persons above
2. We have been working with the DOH and their team of Epidemiologists and feel confident that we will have updated policies and procedures around small group activities and dining soon; we hope to share those in the coming week.
3. Our team has started the 3^rd round of staff testing. We will provide those results as they become available next week.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any additional questions or concerns. Have a good end to your week.

The Azalea Estates Partners and Management Team

To Our Residents, Family Members and Staff Members:

Update #27 | Dated: 5-29-20

We hope everyone is having a good end to their weeks. As we begin our 12^th week of quarantine procedures, we wanted to follow up with a few updates.

1. The National Guard conducted their 2nd cleaning of all of our common spaces yesterday. Again, we are very grateful for their support through this time. We hope to schedule a 3^rd round of testing for some time in early June. Once that is scheduled, we will be sure to let you know
2. We were told that we are 1 of 3 communities in Fayette county that have been approved for universal testing through the National Guard. We have been in direct contact with the Fayette County Emergency Management Agency and their director and have been assured that we are on the list for scheduling. As soon as that date is finalized, we will communicate that out along with details on logistics for the actual testing.
3. Along with working with the National Guard for universal testing for our residents, we are working to finalize a partnership with a private company in order to provide as-needed testing for residents. We have had initial conversations with a local provider which may be an option for as needed testing in the future. Our hope is that we will be able to finalize the details of this partnership soon. We will be sure to follow up with updates next week.
4. As many of you may heard, Governor Kemp issued additional Executive Orders addressing the state’s state of emergency declaration and giving additional guidance for reviving a healthy Georgia. We are actively working with the DOH to review our current policies and procedures and what our dining, wellness and visitation procedures will look like as we continue to adjust to our “new normal”. We will have additional updates and details for you as those conversations continue into next week.
5. A successful part of our “new normal” has been the fact that our new touring procedures for interested individuals are going extremely well. We are hosting one on one meeting in outdoor setting (as possible) while observing all safe social distancing measures. Tours of our community are mostly conducted outside of our buildings where the parties spend no more than 15 minutes inside any building and consist of fewer than 4 people (including our staff where all parties wear masks.

We continue to feel blessed that our residents and staff remain safe and healthy. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out. Have a wonderful weekend.

Sincerely,

The Azalea Estates Partners and Management Team

To Our Residents, Family Members and Staff Members:

Update #26 | Dated: 5-22-20

We hope everyone is having a good end to their weeks. As we begin our 11^th week of quarantine procedures, we wanted to follow up with a few updates.

1. As we mentioned in an earlier communication, we have been supporting our staff members in getting tested for a 2^nd time. We are happy to report that all 55 staff members have been tested, 54 have returned negative test results and we are awaiting the results from 1 staff member. We will continue to have our staff tested regularly, approximately every 14 days.
2. We are continuing to work with the Department of Health (DOH) and the National Guard to finalize a day/time to test our residents (excluding Memory Care residents). We have been told that the delay in scheduling is tied to the fact that Governor Kemp has tasked the National Guard with testing the over 43,000 residents of Long-Term Care Facilities across the state. We have also been informed that the National Guard is prioritizing communities with active outbreaks which has meant we have been pushed down their list. Although it is frustrating that we have not been able schedule a day and time for testing, we are thankful that it is due to the fact that our residents and staff have remained safe and healthy. That said, we are looking into other private organizations to see if we are able to have testing for our residents scheduled sooner. We should have an update on our progress on that initiative later next week.
3. As a reminder, the National Guard will return for an additional deep clean this upcoming Wednesday, May 27^th.

Although this crisis has caused a tremendous disruption for all of us, we look to the future with a hopeful eye. Thank you again for your continued trust as we have navigated the challenges this pandemic has thrown our way. Looking back over the last 70 days we feel incredibly blessed to have each and every one of you as part of our community. As the state and our community gradually “open up for business” you can rest assured that we remain committed to your health and safety.

We hope everyone has a good Memorial Day weekend and please do not hesitate to reach out if there is anything further we can be doing to better support you or your loved ones.

Sincerely,

The Azalea Estates Partners and Management Team

Click here to view past updates

What are you doing right now to prevent the spread of COVID-19?

• We have changed our visitor policy. No visitors are permitted in our community until further notice.
  • We will make limited exceptions in extreme or emergency cases. These must be expressly approved by the Executive Director. Anyone entering the community under these circumstances will be screened upon arrival.
  • Only essential health care providers, including home health, private duty, nursing services, physicians, physical therapy, and hospice staff will be granted access to the community once they have completed our entry screening procedures.
    • All of these caretakers will check in with the front desk, screened and will have their temperatures taken.
  • The assisted living building now only has one entrance as all secondary access points have been secured ensuring there is only one point of entry (still ensuring that the community meets all state safety codes).
  • Assisted Living residents are required to remain on community grounds, except for necessary medical care. And our Independent Residents are encouraged to limit their public exposure by staying on community grounds.
  • Deliveries of packages will be made outside the assisted living building and a staff member will accept them.

• We have changed our dining procedures.
  • To avoid close contact during meals, our main dining rooms will be closed for at least the next 2 weeks. Meals will be delivered to each resident moving forward.

• Any resident returning from a necessary medical appointment outside of the community will be required to stay in his/her apartment for 14 days upon their return and will be closely monitored.
• All residents are monitored daily for: fever or any other symptoms of the infection (body aches, dry cough, etc.).
• In following the guidance of our home health partners, all non-essential physical, occupational and speech therapies have been suspended at this time. These changes should also be communicated to you directly by your home health provider. Sterling will work directly with you and your loved one to offer necessary supports until those services resume.
• We have updated our activity plans and calendars to adjust for smaller group (under 10 people at a time) activities, more outdoor events, as well as utilize all available technology in order to ensure our residents remain safe but also engaged.
• We take all staff members’ temperatures 2x every day. If anyone has a fever or has cold-like symptoms, we do not allow them to

What happens if there is a confirmed case of the COVID-19 virus in the community?

• If there is a suspected or confirmed case, we will follow all CDC guidelines and work closely with the state and local departments of health. We continue to monitor all residents and staff members for illness and symptoms. If there are concerning conditions or symptoms to share about your loved one, rest assured that someone on the Sterling Estates team will contact you directly.
  • What this would look like:
  • Residents:
    • Residents must now remain in their apartments until further notice.
    • Residents’ temperatures will be taken twice a day.
    • We will continue to provide in-room meal services.
  • Staff:
    • All staff will wear a mask and gloves while in the community.
    • All companions will wear PPE (gloves, eye protection and mask) while providing care for our residents.
    • Staff members will receive symptom screenings two times a day, including a temperature check.

Will you tell me if there is a case of COVID-19 in our community?

• Yes. If we are made aware of a positive COVID-19 case by someone in your community, we will notify residents and their families.

Are you testing residents and staff for COVID-19?

• We know many of you are interested in making more COVID-19 tests available to members of our community. Local health officials are responsible for determining all COVID-19 testing protocols. We will continue to work with our county and state health departments. If they decide that broad testing is necessary and appropriate in a Sterling Estates community, we will fully support this effort and notify you that this is taking place.

Resident Illness

• How are you checking residents?
  • In assisted living and memory care, we are proactively monitoring the temperatures and symptoms of all residents. Residents in independent living are encouraged to contact the community care team to inquire about the symptoms to be looking for as well as ask about prevention best practices.
• What happens if a resident has symptoms?
  • We will assist and report to EMS any residents with cold-like or flu-like symptoms, including fever of more than 100.4°, coughing, or shortness of breath with contacting their physician for medical care.

Comments & Concerns

• Who do I call if I have a comment, concern, or complaint?
  • The first person you should call is your community’s executive director.
    • Fayetteville: Holly Woods 770-461-0039
    • East Cobb: Ann White 678-946-4445
    • West Cobb: Deana Harris 770-255-7000
  • We will respond to you as quickly as possible, but usually within 24 hours.

Community Entry

• Who is allowed in the community?
  • No visitors are permitted at Sterling Estates of West Cobb until further notice.
• What are your screening procedures for people entering the community?
  • There are no visitors allowed at this time. Our staff and Health care providers entering the community will be asked questions about possible cold-like symptoms, recent travel, and if they have been exposed to a known or suspected case of COVID-19 or work in another health care facility with a positive COVID-19 case. We also take everyone’s temperature to ensure they do not have a fever.
• Why are you closed to visitors?
  • As we monitor the spread of COVID-19 around the country, and understanding that this virus is most dangerous for seniors, we feel that an apartment quarantine is a necessary step toward keeping everyone safe.
• How long will this last?
  • The COVID-19 pandemic is an ever-evolving situation. We will lift the quarantine and restrictions when we feel it is safe to do so, and based on recommendations from agencies such as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state departments of health.
• What are the exceptions to this policy?
  • We will make limited exceptions in extreme or emergency cases. These must be expressly approved by the community’s executive director. Anyone entering the community under these circumstances will be screened upon arrival.
• Will my private duty caregiver be allowed to enter the community?
  • Yes. Health care providers, including home health, private duty, nursing services, physicians, physical therapy, and hospice staff will be granted access to the community once they have completed our entry screening procedures.
• What if there is an emergency?
  • Emergency medical/fire services personnel are able to enter the community if needed. We will make limited exceptions in extreme or emergency cases for family members. These cases must be expressly approved by the community’s executive director. Anyone entering the community under these circumstances will be screened upon arrival.
• Can I visit with my loved ones outdoors but on the community grounds?
  • Because our communities are under quarantine and outside guests pose a risk of exposure to residents, we ask that you do not have in-person visits.
• Are there other ways that I can get to see my loved ones?
  • The dedicated teams at every community are equipped and ready to help facilitate phone call or even a virtual visit using services such as Apple FaceTime, Skype, or Zoom. We’d also love for you to send videos or other messages through community staff. Call and we will tell you how.
• Can I volunteer to help residents and the community?
  • Thank you for interest in sharing your time and talent with our residents. Because the safety of our residents and staff is our priority, we have placed all communities under quarantine and no visitors are allowed at this time. Please contact us via email our team will coordinate a way for you or your organization to help remotely.
  • We have already received many donated masks (over 200) from family members, staff and friends of the partners. These masks have been deployed for our staff to use along with their surgical masks. Thus allowing us to extend the useful life of our surgical masks.
    • That being said, if anyone else is interested in trying to make cloth masks to donate, instructions from the CDC can be found here. Please reach out directly to the community if you are able to help.

Resident Exit & Reentry

• Are residents allowed to leave?
  • We ask that you remain in the community in the interest of everyone’s safety. If you have an essential medical appointment, please let us know.
• Why are residents not allowed to leave their apartments if there is a confirmed case of COVID-19?
  • If there is a confirmed case of the COVID-19 virus with any of our residents or staff, as an added precaution to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our community, residents would be quarantined to their apartments for no less than 14 days since the first day of reported symptoms..
• Why are residents who live in cottages or freestanding homes not allowed into the building?
  • We are not monitoring the comings and goings of residents who live in cottages or freestanding homes. Therefore, we cannot allow them to enter the main community building.
• What happens if someone goes to the hospital and is ready to return to the community?
  • Residents who are returning from the hospital will be screened just like others who enter the community.
  • In following local and federal guidance anyone returning from a hospitalization will be under quarantine in their residence for 14 days.

Deliveries

• How do deliveries work?
  • Deliveries will be made outside the building and a staff member will accept them and take them to residents.
• Can I bring something to a resident?
  • Yes. We will follow our delivery procedure to have a staff member meet you at the entrance to accept your items and take them to the resident.

Personal Needs

• What if I need personal supplies? (Over-the-counter medications, soap, shampoo, etc.)
  • We recommend that a family member bring your items to the front of the community, where a staff member will accept them. We can help you set up an account with online grocery and pharmacy delivery services, such as Instacart, to order essentials.
  • We are also here to help, just let us know if we can pick anything up for you.
• Will the salon remain open?
  • No. The salon inside the community is temporarily closed.

Medical Needs

• How will I get to my doctors’ appointments?
  • We ask that you remain in the community in the interest of everyone’s safety. If you have an essential medical appointment, please let us know. We encourage you to use telemedicine if your physician offers that service.
• Can a family member pick me up for my doctors’ appointments?
  • We ask that you remain in the community in the interest of everyone’s safety. If you have an essential medical appointment, please let us know.
  • We are also here to help, just let us know if we can pick anything up for you.
• If I live in an independent living apartment, how do I pick up my prescriptions and over the counter medicines from the pharmacy?
  • We can help you set up an account with online grocery and pharmacy delivery services, such as Instacart, to order essentials
  • We are also here to help, just let us know if we can pick anything up for you.
• What if I need hospice care?
  • Health care providers, including home health, private duty, nursing services, physicians, physical therapy, and hospice staff will be granted access to the community once they have completed our entry screening procedures.

Dining

• How do meals work?
  • We will deliver all meals, snacks, and beverages to your apartment/cottage.

Staff

• How are staff screened?
  • We take all staff members’ temperatures every day. If anyone has a fever or has cold-like symptoms, we do not allow them to work until they are symptom-free.
  • We also screen all staff by asking the following questions:
    • Have you been out of the country? Which one(s)? ____________________
    • Have you been exposed to anyone with COVID-19 (Corona Virus)
    • Do you have a fever?
    • Have you been coughing?
    • Do you have any unusual muscle aches?
    • Are you experiencing any shortness of breath?
    • Do you have any loss of taste?
    • Where have you been outside of this building in the last 24hrs?

At thsi time No visitors are permitted in any community until further notice.

• We will make limited exceptions in extreme or emergency cases. These must be expressly approved by the Executive Director. Anyone entering the community under these circumstances will be screened upon arrival.
• Only essential health care providers, including home health, private duty, nursing services, physicians, physical therapy, and hospice staff will be granted access to the community once they have completed our entry screening procedures.
• In following the guidance of our home health partners, all non-essential physical, occupational and speech therapies have been suspended at this time. These changes should also be communicated to you directly by your home health provider. Sterling will work directly with you and your loved one to offer necessary supports until those services resume.
• All of these caretakers will check in with the front desk, screened and will have their temperatures taken.
• The assisted living building now only has one entrance as all secondary access points have been secured ensuring there is only one point of entry (still ensuring that the community meets all state safety codes).
• Assisted Living residents are required to remain on community grounds, except for necessary medical care. And our Independent Residents are encouraged to limit their public exposure by staying on community grounds.
• Any resident returning from a necessary medical appointment outside of the community will be required to stay in his/her apartment for 14 days upon their return and will be closely monitored.
• We know that social distancing is difficult. In order to ensure that we keep everyone in our buildings safe, please only deliver necessary items for your loved ones.
  • Call ahead before coming to the community.
  • A staff member will meet you outside the building to receive your package.
  • The package will then be sanitized with an antiviral cleaning agent before being delivered to your loved one.

Dining

• To avoid close contact during meals, our main dining rooms will be closed

Community Life

• Our staff is committed to maintaining as much of a normal life in the community as possible with a few temporary exceptions:
  • We have eliminated all group outings.
  • All group gatherings, such as book clubs and religious services, will be hosted by our staff or held via virtual means.
  • Transportation services are limited to necessary medical appointments only.
  • The salon will be closed until further notice.
• We have updated our activity plans and calendars to adjust for smaller group (under 10 people at a time) activities, more outdoor events, as well as utilize all available technology in order to ensure our residents remain safe but also engaged.
  • We continue to offer programming for our residents: from activities that are conducted outside to those in our buildings where there is at least 6 feet of separation (we even have a separation stick we use to remind everyone what 6 feet looks like!). We know how important this type of engagement is to our community.
• We have updated our care plans to include inquiring / assisting calling a loved one in order to help families stay connected.
• We are encouraging the use of more video calling tools (i.e. Facetime) so that both our residents and their loved ones can connect on a more personal level as we take our social distancing procedures to heart. We have even setup Facetime support tables where residents can come, and our staff can assist in setting up calls.
• If you or your loved one needs any additional support on setting up video calls, please reach out to the community directly and we will help coordinate.

Wellness Center

• Moving forward the main wellness center is closed to independent residents.

Cottage Residents:

• We implore all cottage residents to heed this guidance and only leave the campus for essential services (as articulated above).
  1. Essential Services include grocery shopping, medical or pharmacy visits.
  2. With that, we would love to help out on these errands as we are able. Please reach out and schedule with us.
• Moving forward, we ask that you not enter: the main assisted living building, the Hampton building and Stratford building.
  1. Please reach out to both the wellness and activities teams to better define what you can do in your homes.
  2. We can also provide you with personal workout equipment so as to allow you to continue to exercise in your own cottage.
• We ask that you follow applicable social distancing measures when not in your cottage, which includes maintaining a minimum of 6 feet of separation from other people.
• We recommend that you do participate in outdoor activities where the necessary safety precautions have been taken into account, including:
  1. Outdoor exercise classes
  2. Outdoor walking groups
  3. Gardening (where additional personal hygiene stations have been added)
• Coming soon to channel 961 various activities including: wellness classes, movies, guided activities and more

Independent Apartment Residents:

• No visitors are permitted in our community until further notice.
• Limit group gatherings within the building to under 10 people and follow all social distancing guidance.
• Stratford residents should no longer enter the Hampton building and Hampton residents should no longer enter the Stratford building.
  • We will be adding work out equipment to the Stratford building.
• Only leave the campus for essential services (as articulated above).
• We ask that you follow applicable social distancing measures when not in your cottage, which includes maintaining a minimum of 6 feet of separation from other people.
• We recommend that you do participate in outdoor activities where the necessary safety precautions have been taken into account, including:
  1. Outdoor exercise classes
  2. Outdoor walking groups
  3. Gardening (where additional personal hygiene stations have been added)
• Coming soon to channel 961 various activities including: wellness classes, movies, guided activities and more.

Engagement in Memory Care Neighborhoods

Our approach to caring for people living with dementia has not changed in light of COVID-19. We have dementia experts on staff who remain focused on ensuring residents living with dementia are receiving quality care and attention. While this care and attention may look a little different during this time, we are doing our best to keep everyone safe.

Rest assured we will do our best to keep creativity and meaningful moments up and loneliness down!

At Azalea Estates, we focus on giving you proactive and thorough communication. As always, we will update you with any changes to life in the community. If you have any questions, please reach out to your community’s executive director by calling the community directly.

At Azalea Estates, we focus on giving you proactive and thorough communication. As always, we will update you with any changes to life in the community. If you have any questions, please reach out to your community’s executive director by calling the community directly.

Staff Precautions

• Our staff are trained in proper infectious disease precautions and procedures, including the proper use of protective equipment, cleaning, and hand washing. We also provide ongoing training in these areas to keep everyone up-to-date.
• We take all staff members’ temperature every day. If anyone has a fever or has cold-like symptoms, we do not allow them to work until they are symptom-free.
• We ask all staff members who are sick to stay home until they are well.

Support for Staff

We are taking steps to support our staff during this time so that they can focus on their health and on taking care of residents.

• In the event of school closures, we will pay for staff members' child care expenses if needed.
• If a staff member does not have health insurance, we will pay for their costs of visiting a physician or urgent care to be tested and rule out any contagious illness.
• We don't want an empty paid time off (PTO) balance to stand in the way of staff members taking the necessary time off to get well at home if they are sick. If a staff member's PTO balance is empty, we will continue to pay them while sick with a contagious illness.

Staff letters

FAQ on Cares Act: https://www.nytimes.com/article/coronavirus-stimulus-package-questions-answers.html

Media Statement

Please reach out to each community for any questions or concerns. That said, we will post updates here for the media as necessary.