Casey’s Pond takes the safety of our residents and team members very seriously. Take a look at what we are doing in our community to keep everyone safe.
We are pleased to announce that our community is now at a combined resident and team member vaccination rate of 79%, which means it is time to proceed with our phased re-opening for residential living while we await further direction for our assisted living and skilled nursing neighborhoods. Using an approach that balances resident health and happiness, we are committed to following best practices and proven virus mitigation protocols while expanding community life when it is safe to do so.
We’ve received a positive COVID-19 test result that was found through the twice a week PCR testing required with the new Enhanced Infection Control (EIC) directives from the state health department. These requirements are in response to the Delta variant being present in our region and directs testing of all team members and residents, regardless of the vaccine status, in neighborhoods where a previous positive test was received. The team member is asymptomatic, received their test with the Doak bi-weekly testing and is now isolating at home.
We must now continue with our current protocols of outdoor visitations for those living in the Doak. Reservations should be made online at https://signup.com/go/qFFoZcW. If there are extenuating circumstances requiring visit times outside of the standard schedule, please contact us and we will do our best to accommodate.
There are no other changes to our programs or additional restrictions at this time. Residents can still leave the community. We do not know what variant of the COVID-19 virus was detected with this most recent positive test.
We continue to work with all team members regarding our vaccine mandate issued this week. Our intention is to have nearly everyone vaccinated by August 1st, working with those who need a recognized exemption.
Families with specific questions may call the concierge at 970-879-8855.
We continue to follow federal, state, and local health directives. We thank everyone for your continued support and patience.
Vaccine Mandate Timeline: 7/12/21
After many conversations with residents, team members, community members in the region, and county officials, we have decided to officially put in place a COVID-19 vaccine mandate effective today. Due to the continuing increase in COVID-19 activity in our region, we request the majority of team members receive their first dose of the vaccine by August 1st.
Routt County is now over 5% for its COVID-19 infection rate and Moffat County is now 7.5%. We are seeing an increase in the number of cases that are of the more contagious Delta variant in the region. Late last week, we learned that two of the positive test results we received were for the Delta variant. Data from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) suggests that unvaccinated people are most vulnerable to infection and passing it to others. We cherish each team member and their vital contribution to our Casey’s Pond family; however, we care for our beloved mountain region’s most at-risk citizens and must now take this essential step to mandate the vaccine.
The mandate will go into place today with an ideal scenario that most team members will be vaccinated by August 1st. Tomorrow all team members are able to review a copy of the mandate policy in our online learning platform; each team member will electronically attest to reading the policy. Additionally, we will train managers regarding their role in how we will implement the vaccine mandate. The Routt County Health Department, along with numerous providers in the County, have vaccines available. For more information on vaccine availability, check out https://www.covid19routtcounty.com/vaccine-information. We also will have a vaccine supply at Casey’s Pond.
Ideally, most team members will receive their first dose by August 1st. However, we know some people may have an extenuating circumstance or may wish to file for a medical or religious exemption. Please talk with your supervisor as soon as possible regarding these circumstances.
If we experience a staffing shortage due to the vaccine mandate, we will call on families, neighbors, and friends to help “stand in the gap” until we are again fully staffed. This may include becoming a “volunteer helper” to do things such as delivering meals, running an activity, or being part of a visitation program. CDPHE has also indicated that they will help us if a staffing need arises.
We greatly appreciate the candid conversations these last few days regarding this mandate. It is not a decision we take lightly, and we are trying our best to accommodate all opinions while taking the necessary steps to protect our community.
We appreciate the continued support, patience, and tolerance to support everyone in our Casey’s Pond community.
7/6/21
We’ve received a positive COVID-19 test result that was found through the new pre-shift POC testing required with the new Enhanced Infection Control (EIC) directives from the state health department. These requirements are in response to the Delta variant being present in our region. The team member works in a community support role, is asymptomatic, and is now isolating at home.
Pre-shift Point of Care (POC) testing will continue for all unvaccinated team members in addition to the twice a week PCR testing for all residents and team members, regardless of their vaccine status, in our assisted living and skilled nursing neighborhoods. This additional testing is due to the fact we’ve had a few positive COVID-19 test results recently.
This week we are conducting discussions with residents and team members around our intention to mandate the vaccine very soon in our community. Once we make that announcement, team members will have 30 days to receive their first dose vaccine.
We are participating in a Routt County Public Health Department Town Hall discussion this Friday, July 9th at 2:00pm. We invite all members of our Casey’s Pond family to join the Town Hall, click here for the webinar link page.
Scheduled visits for both neighborhoods continue to be supported outside. No visitors are allowed inside. Reservations should be made online at https://signup.com/go/qFFoZcW. If there are extenuating circumstances requiring visit times outside of the standard schedule, please contact us, and we will do our best to accommodate.
There are no other changes to our programs or additional restrictions at this time. Residents can still leave the community. We do not know what variant of the COVID-19 virus was detected with this most recent positive test.
Families with specific questions may call the concierge at 970-517-2740.
We continue to follow federal, state, and local health directives. We thank everyone for their continued support and understanding.
Vaccination Update: 7/1/21
The last couple of weeks of navigating a new wave of requirements due to the Delta variant has brought into clear focus that the time is nearing for us to mandate the COVID-19 vaccine in our community.
The Delta variant is growing in Moffat County, and we have seen the Delta variant in Routt County. Data from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) suggests that those who are unvaccinated are most vulnerable to infection and passing it to others. We care for the most at-risk citizens of our beloved mountain region, and we believe we are called to take action sooner rather than later to protect older adults. We are closely monitoring the national and state conversation around mandating the vaccine and the Federal Drug and Food Administration (FDA) intentions. Several hospitals, other clinical care, and senior living providers have taken this step in other parts of the state. Our own Yampa Valley Medical Center is gearing up also to protect their vulnerable patients with a vaccine mandate.
We have a cross-functional team working together on the next steps in the decision to mandate the vaccine for our community, including partners from the Routt County Health Department, the Yampa Valley Medical Center, Cappella Living Solutions, and our dedicated Board of Directors.
Routt County Medical Officer Dr. Brian Harrington shared this, “We believe it is in the best interest of Casey’s Pond and of our mountain community not to wait any longer to mandate the vaccine in our care settings. We fully support Casey’s Pond in this effort to serve and protect older adults.” The Routt County Health Department along with numerous providers in the County have vaccines available. For more information on vaccine availability check out https://www.covid19routtcounty.com/vaccine-information.
We are gathering information to understand when the best time is to mandate the vaccine. Once we determine this date, any unvaccinated team members will have 30 days to receive their first dose of the vaccine, then the second dose in the 30 days following the first dose. We will continue discussions with residents, families, and team members. We will have more information regarding the mandate in the coming days.
We encourage all of you to take the time to learn more about the vaccine facts. We have several people ready to answer your questions; please ask. We also have many resources both on the Casey’s Pond and Routt County Health Department websites, www.caseyspond.org and https://www.covid19routtcounty.com/. If you are unvaccinated, we encourage you to choose to get vaccinated now.
Safety is the top priority for our community and of the scientists and health experts working on the vaccination effort. There may be minor side effects such as soreness, achiness, and potentially low-grade fever-like with any vaccine. A small number of people experience more serious side effects, but the percentages are low and typically related to a history of anaphylactic allergic reactions.
For some people, becoming vaccinated is a difficult choice, and we respect each person’s right to choose. We also must weigh the need to do everything we can to protect the older adults we serve. Our resident vaccination rate is 99%, and our team member rate is 66%. We need to close this gap.
We cherish each team member and their vital contribution to residents, resident families and the community overall. We do understand some may choose to leave their job rather than become vaccinated. We already struggle to attract and retain the people needed to provide the level of quality care and services we expect of ourselves and that residents deserve. If we experience a staffing shortage due to the vaccine mandate, we will call on upon families, neighbors, and friends to help “stand in the gap” until we are again fully staffed. This may include becoming a “volunteer helper” to do things such as delivering meals, running an activity, or being part of a visitation program.
Sometimes doing the right thing is also the hard thing. We are prepared. Because, in this case, the right thing could be lifesaving. The hard part could be a few weeks where we must pull together as a Casey’s Pond community and as a Steamboat, Routt, and Moffat County community to do what is needed to protect our most senior of citizens.
Thank you for your patience while we work on the next steps and as always, thank you for your support and prayers. They are greatly appreciated!
6/28/21
We’ve received a positive PCR COVID-19 test result for a vaccinated resident in our Doak Walker skilled nursing neighborhood. The test was taken on Saturday as part of the now required twice a week PCR testing of all team members and residents, regardless of their vaccination status, in our Harbor and Grove assisted living neighborhoods and our Doak Walker skilled nursing neighborhood. The resident is mildly symptomatic and is being supported with isolation protocols.
Our increased testing is part of the new Enhanced Infection Control (EIC) directives from the state health department in response to the Delta variant being present in our surrounding county. We will continue pre-shift POC testing of all unvaccinated team members, and we are conducting twice a week PCR testing of all residents and team members in our regulated neighborhoods regardless of their vaccine status. Our Harbor and Grove neighborhoods will have PCR testing today and the Doak will have PCR testing again on Wednesday.
Scheduled visits for both neighborhoods continue to be supported outside. No visitors are allowed inside. Reservations should be made online at https://signup.com/go/qFFoZcW. If there are extenuating circumstances requiring visit times outside of the standard schedule, please contact us and we will do our best to accommodate.
There are no other changes to our programs or additional restrictions at this time. Residents can still leave the community. We do not know what variant of the COVID-19 virus was detected with this test.
We continue to encourage everyone to get vaccinated. The vaccine lessens the impact on the virus for our community and protects everyone from becoming more ill if infected.
Families with specific questions may call the concierge at 970-879-8855.
The health and safety of everyone who lives and works at Casey’s Pond is our top priority, we continue with all federal, state, and local directives and virus mitigation efforts.
We appreciate your patience and support as we continue to navigate the twists and turns of the COVID-19 pandemic.
6/27/21
We’ve received a positive PCR COVID-19 test result for a vaccinated resident in our Harbor assisted living neighborhood. The test was taken on Friday as part of the now required twice a week PCR testing of all team members and residents, regardless of their vaccination status, in our Harbor and Grove assisted living neighborhoods and our Doak Walker skilled nursing neighborhood. The resident is asymptomatic and is being supported with isolation protocols. All other PCR tests have returned negative.
Our increased testing is part of the new Enhanced Infection Control (EIC) directives from the state health department in response to the Delta variant being present in our surrounding county. The new directive requires pre-shift POC testing of all unvaccinated team members. If a team member is positive, we must conduct PCR tests twice a week on all team members and residents in the impacted area, regardless of vaccination status. To date, we’ve received a positive result for two team members, one working in the Harbor and one in the Doak neighborhoods. Both are asymptomatic.
With this additional positive PCR test for a resident living in the Harbor neighborhood, the only other step we must take per the directives is to POC test any unvaccinated residents in our assisted living neighborhoods daily. We do not need to conduct this additional testing as 100% of residents living in assisted living are vaccinated.
Scheduled visits for both neighborhoods continue to be supported outside. No visitors are allowed inside. Reservations should be made online at https://signup.com/go/qFFoZcW . If there are extenuating circumstances requiring visit times outside of the standard schedule, please contact us, and we will do our best to accommodate.
There are no other changes to our programs or additional restrictions at this time. Residents can still leave the community. We do not know what variant of the COVID-19 virus was detected with this test.
We continue to encourage everyone to get vaccinated. The vaccine lessens the impact on the virus for our community and protects everyone from becoming more ill if infected.
Families with specific questions may call the concierge at 970-879-8855.
We continue to follow federal, state, and local health directives. The health and safety of everyone who lives and works at Casey’s Pond is our top priority.
6/26/21
We’ve received a positive COVID-19 test result this morning that was found through the new pre-shift testing required with the new Enhanced Infection Control (EIC) directives from the state health department. The team member who works in the Doak Walker neighborhood is asymptomatic and is now isolating at home.
With this result, we now must move into testing of all residents and team members, regardless of their vaccination status, twice a week for our Doak Walker skilled nursing neighborhood in addition to the test we started earlier in the week for our assisted living neighborhoods. Pre-shift testing will continue for all unvaccinated team members in addition to the twice-a-week testing.
Scheduled visits for residents living in the Doak Walker skilled nursing neighborhood now must take place outside, visitors cannot come inside. This is also still the case for visitors to our assisted living neighborhoods. Reservations should be made online at https://signup.com/go/qFFoZcW . If there are extenuating circumstances that require visit times outside of the standard schedule, please contact us and we will do our best to accommodate.
There are no other changes to our programs or additional restrictions at this time. Residents can still leave the community.
We do not know what variant of the COVID-19 virus was detected with this test.
We continue to follow federal, state, and local health directives and screen all residents, team members, and visitors daily, including daily screenings.
Families with specific questions may call the concierge at 970-879-8855.
The health and safety of everyone who lives and works at Casey’s Pond is our top priority. We continue to encourage everyone to participate in local vaccination efforts, the vaccine mitigates the impact of the virus in our community.
6/24/21
We’ve received a positive COVID-19 test result that was found through the new pre-shift testing required with the new Enhanced Infection Control (EIC) directives from the state health department. The team member last worked yesterday, is asymptomatic and is isolating at home.
With this result, we now must move into testing of all residents and team members, regardless of their vaccination status, twice a week for our Doak Walker skilled nursing neighborhood and our assisted living neighborhood, both the Harbor and Grove. Pre-shift testing will continue for all unvaccinated team members in addition to the twice a week testing.
Visits for residents living in the Grove or Harbor neighborhoods now must take place outside, visitors cannot come into the neighborhood. Residents in these neighborhoods may leave the community and programs and dining continue in our assisted living area. There are no other changes to our programs or additional restrictions at this time for any level of living.
We do not know what variant of the COVID-19 virus was detected with this test.
We continue to follow federal, state, and local health directives and screen all residents, team members, and visitors daily, including daily screenings.
Families with specific questions may call the concierge at 970-879-8855.
The health and safety of everyone who lives and works at Casey’s Pond is our top priority. We continue to encourage everyone to participate in local vaccination efforts, the vaccine mitigates the impact of the virus in our community.
Thank you for your continued support.
6/22/21
State Requires New Enhanced Infection Control Measures Due to Delta Variant
We’ve received a new directive from the Colorado Department of Health and Environment (CDPHE) that we must engage in Enhanced Infection Control measures due the Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus being detected in our county. Due to the physical nature of Casey’s Pond, we must implement these directives for our entire community.
To try and make it easier to understand we’ve created a chart with the key areas impacted by the Enhanced Infection Control measures.
We will begin implementing these new directives immediately. Thank you for your continued support.
5/28/21
We’ve received a positive POC COVID-19 test result for a team member who last worked in the Grove and Harbor Assisted Living neighborhoods yesterday. The team member is asymptomatic and is isolating at home.
We have conferred with the health department and we will continue with weekly testing in these neighborhoods at this time.
There are no changes to our programs or additional restrictions at this time. However, it is important to remind everyone, despite Governor Polis’s most recent orders, we must continue to wear masks throughout our community due to our mixed levels of living and federal and state health mandates for our regulated neighborhoods.
Movement between neighborhoods is limited and all team members continue to follow virus mitigation protocols and wear masks.
We continue to follow federal, state and local health directives and screen all residents, team members and visitors daily, including taking temperatures.
We will continue to post updates here on the community website (www.caseyspond.org). Families with specific questions may call the concierge at 970-879-8855.
The health and safety of everyone who lives and works at Casey’s Pond is our top priority. We continue to encourage everyone to participate in local vaccination efforts, the vaccine mitigates the impact of the virus in our community.
5/21/21
Through our routine testing, we’ve received two positive COVID-19 test results for team members; one who last worked in the Doak Walker neighborhood yesterday and the other for a community support team member. Both team members are isolating at home, and neither are experiencing symptoms.
We have conferred with the health department and we will continue with weekly testing in the Doak Walker neighborhood at this time.
There are no changes to our programs or additional restrictions implemented in the Doak at this time. However, it is important to remind everyone, despite Governor Polis’s most recent orders, we must continue to wear masks throughout our community due to our mixed levels of living and federal and state health mandates for our regulated neighborhoods.
Movement between the Doak skilled nursing neighborhood and other neighborhoods is limited and all team members continue to follow virus mitigation protocols and wear masks.
We continue to follow federal, state, and local health directives and screen all residents, team members, and visitors daily, including taking temperatures.
Families with specific questions may call the concierge at 970-879-8855.
The health and safety of everyone who lives and works at Casey’s Pond is our top priority. We continue to encourage everyone to participate in local vaccination efforts, the vaccine mitigates the impact of the virus in our community.
5/14/21
Community Life Opens Up Again at Casey’s Pond
After discussions with the Colorado Department of Health and Environment we are thrilled to share that the Doak Walker neighborhood is no longer considered in “outbreak status” and we can begin to return to a more normal life at Casey’s Pond!
We will resume small group activities, communal dining and regular travel outside the community. We are also able to resume indoor and outdoor visitations and encourage families to login to https://signup.com/go/qFFoZcW to select a visitation time.
We will resume once a week routine testing. We will continue to monitor for all signs and symptoms including taking temperatures daily. We will contact you if your loved one is suspected of having, or confirmed to have, the COVID-19 virus.
We urge everyone to continue adhering to virus mitigation measures of wearing masks, performing good hand hygiene, being screened regularly and practicing social distancing when possible.
This latest virus episode is a good reminder, for everyone at Casey’s Pond and in the Steamboat community, that the COVID-19 pandemic is not over and that we must continue to be vigilant.
We appreciate the continued support and partnership in protecting everyone who lives and works at Casey’s Pond.
5/11/21
We continue our commitment to battle COVID-19 and to timely and transparent communication for our Casey’s Pond family. From routine PCR testing we’ve learned of two positive, asymptomatic residents in the Doak Walker neighborhood. Both residents are isolating in their rooms and full precautions are being taken. All other test results are negative for the whole community. CDPHE requires a temporary hold on admissions, only essential visits, in-room dining, no group activities and travel out of Casey’s Pond is for medically necessary appointments with the use of Casey’s Pond transportation.
We will continue with twice a week testing for residents and team members. We remain vigilant with everyone wearing masks and following virus protocols.
Thank you for your patience and commitment to eradicating this virus from Casey’s Pond and our greater community.
Latest Vaccine Information
Vaccination Update: 7/1/21
The last couple of weeks of navigating a new wave of requirements due to the Delta variant has brought into clear focus that the time is nearing for us to mandate the COVID-19 vaccine in our community. Learn more about this decision under Latest Updates.
3/12/21
A full and bustling dining room with laughter rising above the clank of silverware. A life-enrichment outing with every seat on the bus filled. A daughter having a quiet afternoon tea time with her mom. These are all things we long to hear and see in our community. As vaccination rates continue to improve we are working towards a phased re-opening to our community, to get back to pre-pandemic life, but with health and safety in mind.
At Casey’s Pond, we have a combined resident and team member vaccination rate of 87%.
As we await more direction from our federally and state-regulated neighborhoods of assisted living and skilled nursing, our clinical and operational teams have outlined how we can safely re-open our residential living (independent living) neighborhoods. Our approach continues to be a balance between health and happiness. We are committed to following best practices and proven virus mitigation protocols while expanding community life when it is safe to do so.
This grid is broken into an early phase three and a late phase three opening plan. As you can see at the top, everything depends on the combined vaccination rate of the community. Our community is working towards this plan, we have already made some changes in some areas. It may take us a little bit longer in other areas. Our commitment is to reach full re-opening of our community within the same standards as our surrounding community. We will do so cautiously as the health and well-being of everyone who lives and works at Casey’s Pond are paramount. As is spreading more joy and a return to normalcy for our vibrant community afforded us with our increasing vaccination rate. For more information about a specific area of interest, give us a call at (970) 329-2709.
Our second COVID-19 Vaccine clinic for the Doak Walker skilled nursing neighborhood will be Tuesday, January 19th and for the Grove, Harbor and Veranda neighborhoods the second clinic will be Monday, January 25th.
Second Doak Walker Vaccine Clinic Date
Tuesday, January 19th
8-11am & 1-3pm
Walgreens
Second Assisted Living Vaccine Clinic Date
Monday, January 25th
starts at 8:30am
Walgreens
12/24/20
First Doses of COVID-19 Vaccine Now To Include Assisted Living and Residential Living Residents and Associates!
We have more exciting news to share! We had initially anticipated the vaccine to be for our skilled nursing residents on Monday, however, we have learned that the vaccine will be available for assisted living and residential living residents, as well as associates in those neighborhoods. Walgreens will still plan to offer the vaccinations to skilled nursing residents while Routt County Health Department and Lyon’s Corner Drug will service the other neighborhoods. We will continue to keep you up to date on the latest developments as this is a fluid situation.
I cannot say enough about how proud I am of this community of residents for reaching 100% compliance with our vaccine consent forms. We are poised and ready to act fast as soon as we have more vaccine. THANK YOU!
With the holidays this week, I feel especially blessed to be part of Casey’s Pond and the Routt County community. This has been a difficult year, but there is hope on the horizon.
See today’s blog for the Steamboat Pilot’s latest on vaccination efforts in the community and photos of our team members getting vaccinated!
12/23/2020
First Doses of COVID-19 Vaccine Given at Casey’s Pond!
It has been an exciting 24 hours for us here at Casey’s Pond. Thanks to the generosity of UCHealth Yampa Valley Medical Center and Dr. Brian Harrington, Roberta Smith, and Brooke Maxwell with the Routt County Health Department, 40 of our front-line team members received their first round dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine! It feels like an early Christmas today. We are finally seeing the light at the end of our COVID tunnel! Thank you to everyone who helped make this happen. We continue to receive updates from Walgreens Pharmacy our vaccine clinic partner. As of today we still anticipate having our first full day clinics on Monday and Tuesday December 28th and 29th.
However, due to the limited supply, they anticipate only being able to vaccinate skilled nursing residents and team members who work in the Doak Walker neighborhood. Vaccinations for assisted living and residential living may be at a later date. The situation is very fluid and we continue to advocate for all residents and team members to receive the vaccine as soon as possible. We will keep you up to date on the latest vaccine developments.
I cannot say enough about how proud I am of this community of residents and team members for reaching 100% compliance with our vaccine consent forms. We are poised and ready to act fast as soon as we have more vaccine. THANK YOU!
With the holidays this week, I feel especially blessed to be part of Casey’s Pond and the Routt County community. This has been a difficult year, but there is hope on the horizon.
12/21/2020
We are thrilled to share the good news with you that our Walgreens Pharmacy partner has set our first COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic where we will receive the Pfizer vaccine.
Walgreens Pharmacy partner has set our first COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic where we will receive the Pfizer vaccine.
We anticipate the clinic to run for nine hours on the 28th with the potential of a second day on the 29th. We are still working on the details but our goal is to have all residents and team members of the community vaccinated with this first clinic.
We encourage everyone in our community to get the vaccine. We must reach a “herd immunity” both within our senior living community and in the broader community we are located for life to eventually return to normal.
The vaccine will begin to provide you protection about two weeks after your second vaccination.
If you are vaccinated, you are being a good neighbor and protecting others by getting the vaccine.
The more quickly we all are vaccinated, the faster we can begin to loosen restrictions and connect in person with each other again.
Until we reach a high percentage vaccination rate, we will all still need to continue wearing masks, socially distancing, and washing our hands.
Many of you are eager to get the vaccine and put an end to this pandemic. Safety is top priority for not only our community but also for all of the scientists and health experts working on the vaccination effort. Like any vaccine, there may be minor side effects such as soreness, achiness, and potentially low-grade fever. A small number of people experience more series side effects, but the percentages are low, and typically related to history of anaphylactic allergic reactions. We have a lot of useful information on our website and links to scientifically proven data. Please take the time to learn more about the vaccine.
Please get ready now. We have the majority of resident and team member consent forms. If you haven’t turned one it yet, please do as soon as possible.
We will need a current copy of each resident and employee insurance card. If you do not have one, please get one. The vaccine is free, however insurance may be charged for supplies and injection administration. If you do not have insurance, you will not be charged.
We are excited about this good news. We hope you are too!
This Frequently Asked Questions document is intended to give information to residents, families, team members, and the general community regarding the status of rolling out the COVID-19 vaccine in our communities. Information is changing daily. There are times the federal directive and state directives are different. Christian Living Communities (CLC) – Cappella Living Solutions is committed to providing accurate information as timely as possible. This document will be updated and available as changes warrant. For vaccine-specific information, we request the CDC documents be shared.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has prioritized older adults and people working in Long-Term Care to be part of the first-tier to receive the vaccine. Will my loved one’s Community be included?
All CLC-Cappella communities are registered with the Pharmacy Partnership for Long Term Care Initiative to be part of the vaccine’s first-tier distribution. At the moment, we believe this will include team members and residents of skilled nursing and assisted living communities. We are waiting to hear if residential (independent) living residents/team members will also be included in the first-tier distribution.
Where does the vaccine approval currently stand
Now that the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have been approved, the federal government has begun distribution to the states for inoculations. Each state will then set a state-specific timeline and process for vaccine distribution and administration. We anticipate all of the states we support will follow the CDC tier guidelines for prioritizing who will receive the vaccine first, but that has not been firmly confirmed.
Once the states get the vaccine, how will it be distributed to Long-Term Care?
These are some of the details still being worked out. At this point, because all of our communities are registered in the federal pharmacy partnership, we will receive the vaccine through either CVS or Walgreens pharmacy or both. We anticipate the pharmacy teams coming to our communities to administer the vaccines to residents, working closely with our clinical teams. We are awaiting more details regarding team member vaccination.
How will the vaccine be rolled out in our Community?
We will begin by educating residents, families, and team members. The CDC has provided some information sheets that will be distributed and posted on websites to answer questions specifically around vaccine development, safety, and why getting the vaccine is beneficial. We will work with our assigned pharmacy, who will store, distribute, administered the vaccine. We anticipate the pharmacy will set up clinic dates and times for resident vaccinations. The pharmacies will also document and report our vaccine administration progress.
Once residents and team members are vaccinated, will restrictions be lifted?
Not immediately, but that is the goal. It will take time for the two-step vaccine process to be fully implemented therefore, we will still need to wear masks, socially distance, and follow clinical protocols until the Community and the surrounding cities and towns reach a majority of people being vaccinated. It takes up to two weeks after the second dose of the vaccine for each person to benefit from its protection.
What if my loved one or a team member refuses to be vaccinated?
The CLC-Cappella team is working to determine what options if any, will be offered to those refusing the vaccination. We will share more information when it’s available.
For vaccine-specific questions, please refer to the CDC handouts.
Casey’s Pond Begins Posting Critical Data Weekly as a Next Step towards Indoor Visitations
We are adding some very important information to our website for residents, families and team members. We will post two pieces of data that are critical to our COVID-19 testing process, and is one determining factor in our ability to offer indoor visits.
County Case Rate Governor Polis and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) set six criteria that must be met before an indoor visit can be offered in assisted living and skilled nursing communities. The first is the degree of community spread which CDPHE mandates be measured as the county’s case rate. This is the rate of how many positive cases per 100,000 people over a two week time period. This is the first piece of data that we will now post on our website every week.
A low or green case rate means we can offer visits without requiring visitors to have evidence of a negative COVID-19 test.
A yellow or medium rate means we can offer visits, but must require visitors to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test 48 hours prior to the visit.
A red or high rate means we cannot offer indoor visits.
County Positivity Rate The second piece of data is the county positivity rate. This determines how often we must conduct Routine (Mass) Testing of employees and contractors in skilled nursing neighborhoods as mandated by the Centers for Medicare/Medicaid Services (CMS). A rate below 5% requires testing only once a month, higher than that is once a week and above 10% will require twice a week.
This rate is important to keep an eye on for all levels of living including residential and assisted living, not just skilled nursing, as it is a key indicator of the risk in our county of spreading COVID-19.
Routine Testing Requirements for Skilled Nursing
Greater Community COVID-19 Activity
County Positivity Rate in the past week
Minimum Testing Frequency
Low
<5%
Once a month
Medium
5% -10%
Once a week
High
>10%
Twice a week
Every week we will post both important pieces of data on our COVID-19 Updates page under the Weekly County Data Updates tab by the end of the day Monday.
Indoor Visits for Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing Requirements
In addition to the community spread rate each community must also meet five other criteria, conduct baseline testing of certain residents and staff, surveillance and outbreak testing, be outbreak-free, PPE supply must be adequate and critical staffing must be in place. To read more detail, please visit the CDPHE website.
Our community is currently working to conduct the required baseline testing in our regulated neighborhoods ( assisted living and skilled nursing, if applicable) Once we have successfully finished the testing and met the other five criteria then visitors must also meet the following criteria:
Tested negative for COVID-19 within 48 hours of the visit and have documentation (from the time the test was collected) if the county is in the medium or high case rate level. The test must be a PCR (nasal swab) test, not a rapid POC (point of care) or an antibody test.
Fever free, go through screening and have no known COVID-19 exposure
Be 18 years old or older
Schedule appointments in advance
Wear masks and follow infection control guidelines such as washing hands prior to visiting and frequently throughout
Limit visitation to residents only in designated areas
We know the connection with family is vital and we will implement visits as soon as we are able to. In the meantime, please continue to utilize outdoor patio visits and plexiglass visits as offered by your community as well as technology-supported connections. Care essential visits are still being accommodated at this time.
We have received a positive test result for a team member working in the Grove assisted living neighborhood. The team member has very little direct exposure with residents, is asymptomatic and last worked yesterday. All other team member and resident test results for the Grove returned negative. We are keeping two team members at home out of an abundance of caution due to potential direct exposure.
We continue to test everyone in the Grove neighborhood twice a week. We are not adjusting group activities, communal dining or group activities at this time.
For the Doak Walker skilled nursing neighborhood, two rounds of testing have returned all negative test results. This means we can begin to return to some programs. We will restart group activities and visitations as well as the ability to travel away from the community. We will continue in-suite dining for the time being.
We continue to follow federal, state, and local health directives and screen all residents, team members, and visitors daily, including taking temperatures.
We will continue to post updates on the community website www.caseyspond.org. Families with specific questions may call the concierge at 970-879-8855.
The health and safety of everyone who lives and works at Casey’s Pond is our top priority. We continue to encourage everyone to participate in local vaccination efforts, the vaccine mitigates the impact of the virus in our community.
4/27/21
Through our routine testing, we’ve received a positive COVID-19 test result for a resident in the Doak Walker neighborhood. The resident is not experiencing any symptoms and is being supported with isolation protocols. The test was taken on April 23rd and the state health department confirmed the result today.
All tests from last week returned negative for residents and team members in the Doak. We will now move to twice a week testing for the Doak neighborhood.
Movement between the Doak skilled nursing neighborhood and other neighborhoods is limited and all team members continue to follow virus mitigation protocols and wear masks.
We continue to follow federal, state, and local health directives and screen all residents, team members, and visitors daily, including taking temperatures.
At this time we must halt indoor and outdoor visitations, communal dining and group activities in the Doak. All other neighborhoods are under normal operating conditions.
The health and safety of everyone who lives and works at Casey’s Pond is our top priority. We continue to encourage everyone to participate in local vaccination efforts, the vaccine mitigates the impact of the virus in our community.
4/23/21
Community Life Opens Up Again at Casey’s Pond
After discussions with the Colorado Department of Health and Environment we are thrilled to share that we are no longer considered in “outbreak status” and can begin to return to a more normal life at Casey’s Pond!
We are able to resume indoor and outdoor visitations starting tomorrow and encourage families to login to www.signup.com to select a visitation time.
For the Grove, Harbor and Veranda neighborhoods, we will resume group activities and trips away from the community are again allowed. We will resume communal dining for the Grove and Harbor neighborhoods today and for the Veranda neighborhood on Monday, April 26th.
We of course urge everyone to continue adhering to virus mitigation measures of wearing a mask, performing good hand hygiene, being screened regularly, and practicing social distancing when possible.
In the Doak Walker neighborhood, operations continue as normal.
This latest virus episode is a good reminder for everyone at Casey’s Pond and in the Steamboat community, that the COVID-19 pandemic is not over, and that we must continue to be vigilant.
All resident and team member test results conducted on April 19th have returned negative. We will resume once a week routine testing.
We will continue to monitor for all signs and symptoms including taking temperatures daily. We will contact you if your loved one is suspected of having, or confirmed to have, the COVID-19 virus.
We appreciate the continued support and partnership in protecting everyone who lives and works at Casey’s Pond.
4/13/21
Through a rapid Point of Care (POC) COVID test conducted today, we’ve identified a positive team member who last worked yesterday in the Doak Walker House. The team member was experiencing mild-symptoms, they did not enter the community, and was immediately sent home to self-isolate.
We immediately initiated PCR tests for all Doak residents and team members, we are awaiting those results. All previous tests from last week returned negative. Out of an abundance of caution, we will move to twice a week testing for the Doak neighborhood.
Movement between the Doak skilled nursing neighborhood and other neighborhoods is limited and all team members continue to follow virus mitigation protocols and wear masks.
We continue to follow federal, state, and local health directives and screen all residents, team members, and visitors daily, including taking temperatures.
At this time there are no changes to dining, visitation or community-life programs for residents living in the Doak, we will let you know if that changes.
This update will not have any direct impact on the dining, community-life, and visitation programs for residents in our assisted living neighborhood. For residents in our Veranda independent living neighborhood, we continue providing in apartment dining, residents are visiting each other in their apartment homes, and may continue to leave the community while taking virus precautions.
Families with specific questions may call the concierge at 970-879-8855.
The health and safety of everyone who lives and works at Casey’s Pond is our top priority.
4/8/21
Update Letter from Our Executive Director
Dear Residents, Families and Team Members,
We are thrilled to share with you that our latest round of COVID-19 testing returned 157 negative results. This represents the majority of residents and team members in every level of living at Casey’s Pond!
We continue to be vigilant in our virus mitigation efforts. We are not yet ready to lift temporary closures of our dining, visitation, and life enrichment programs put in place last week for our Harbor, Grove, and Veranda neighborhoods. We appreciate everyone’s patience.
I have also received many questions regarding this last episode of COVID infections and our vaccination efforts. Below I have put together some of the most asked questions and answers as I thought it might be beneficial for our Casey’s Pond family and the community.
Do you know the source of this virus infection in the community?
We do not know the source of this latest infection. Contact tracing has not shown a connection between each infection. Those who were with the infected residents or team members before their diagnosis aren’t necessarily infected in all cases. It is possible that these could be unrelated infections with different exposure sources.
Is this a new variant strain of the virus?
We do not know. I did talk to the state epidemiologist we’ve been working with, and the state is only testing 5% of positive results for variant tracing, so we may not know the strain type of this latest infection.
I understand that not all team members have been vaccinated; why are they allowed to still work with residents?
According to federal, state, and local directives, unvaccinated team members may continue to work and are required to follow virus protocols. There is no federal, state, or local mandate for workers to receive the vaccine. As a company, we have not mandated the vaccine. In Colorado, no hospital system has mandated the vaccine, and only a small handful of care providers have. At this time, most employers are not requiring or mandating the vaccine because of its current emergency use authorization status. As things evolve, this may change.
What are you going to do to better protect residents and stop the virus?
With the first positive result received last weekend, we immediately put in place steps to further prevent the virus’s spread, quickly identify infection, and eradicate the virus from our community. We are limiting movement, exposure, and risk amongst all residents and team members and isolated the assisted living neighborhoods as that is where the current virus activity is. We take the health and safety of everyone who works at Casey’s Pond very seriously. We also want to do what is reasonable and safe to ensure family connections for all residents, especially those who live in neighborhoods currently unaffected by this latest activity.
Did everyone who has tested positive receive the vaccine?
All residents had received at least one or both doses of the vaccine. Both team members did not receive the vaccine. The team members declined the vaccine when offered for personal reasons. Both were following virus protocols, including screenings, testing, wearing a mask, and hand hygiene.
This pandemic is wearing on everyone. The Valley and Casey’s Pond is no exception.
What is exceptional is our community spirit, how we support each other, and the encouragement we offer to one another during difficult times.
I want to thank everyone for your continued support and prayers. Also, for doing everything you can to keep our county, our town, and our community safe by adhering to federal, state, county, and city directives; by getting vaccinated when you are comfortable and for being incredibly considerate of those most at risk during this pandemic, the older adults we are privileged to serve.
Respectfully,
Brad Boatright
Executive Director
4/3/21
It with great sadness we share today that a beloved member of our Casey’s Pond family has passed. This resident lived in our Harbor neighborhood and had tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. The official cause of death has not been determined, but we believe this will be reported with the state and local health departments as a COVID related death. We are heartbroken. We send our sincerest sympathy to this resident’s family, friends, and those who provided care and services.
Additionally, we received an additional positive PCR test result for a resident already being supported in our Grove neighborhood with isolation protocols. This resident is asymptomatic. We will continue with our isolation protocols for both the Grove and Harbor assisted living neighborhoods with no communal dining services, no group activities, and extra virus mitigation cleanings. Team members are wearing N95 masks and eye protection and those supporting residents in isolation are wearing full PPE.
All other test results for our assisted living neighborhoods and our Veranda residential living neighborhoods have returned negative at this time. We will contact families directly if your loved one receives a positive COVID test result.
All Doak Walker residents and team members have tested negative, and movement between the Doak and other areas of the community is restricted.
We continue to follow federal, state, and local health directives and screen all residents, team members, and visitors daily, including taking temperatures. Masks must be worn in all areas of the community; residents may take them off in the privacy of their homes.
Families with specific questions may call the concierge at 970-879-8855.
We know this is upsetting for our Casey’s Pond family. We ask that you please continue to support each other as we work to rid our community of this virus quickly.
3/30/21
We want to update our Casey’s Pond family on the COVID-19 situation at our community. The two Point of Care (POC) tests for residents living in the Grove/Harbor assisted living neighborhoods were confirmed yesterday afternoon by positive PCR tests. Additionally, today we received one more positive Point of Care (POC) test result for a team member working in the Grove neighborhood. The team member is isolating at home and is asymptomatic, we expect their PCR test result tomorrow. We continue with all virus mitigation measures we immediately put in place over the weekend for both neighborhoods, this includes in-apartment dining and no shared activities.
We will conduct twice a week surveillance testing for both team members and residents of Grove and Harbor for the time being. We will continue with limited essential visits with all visitors following protocols and wearing PPE.
It is important to note that all other PCR tests conducted for other neighborhoods, for both residents and team members, RETURNED NEGATIVE.
We will resume normal daily operations in the Doak Walker skilled nursing neighborhood tomorrow, March 31st. This means dining will continue in the dining room, small group programs will occur, indoor/outdoor family visitations will resume, and out of community travel is allowed as long as everyone continues to adhere to virus mitigation measures of being screened, wearing a mask, performing good hand hygiene, and practicing social distancing when possible.
Out of an abundance of caution, residents living in the Veranda residential living neighborhood will enjoy in-apartment dining for the next two weeks. Veranda residents may still eat and socialize with their Veranda neighbors in small groups, in their apartment homes. Visitations will continue in apartments. Out of community travel will continue to be allowed. We ask everyone to adhere to virus mitigation measures of being screened, wearing a mask in public spaces, and performing good hand hygiene.
This latest virus episode is a good reminder for everyone at Casey’s Pond and in the Steamboat community, that the COVID-19 pandemic is not over, and that we must continue to be vigilant.
We will continue to monitor for all signs and symptoms including taking temperatures daily. We will contact you if your loved one is suspected of having, or confirmed to have, the COVID-19 virus.
Please hold a supportive thought for our Casey’s Pond family living and working in our Grove and Harbor neighborhoods. Together we will continue to battle this virus.
3/28/21
In our continued commitment to transparent and timely communication, we want to let you know we received a positive COVID-19 test result for a team member from our routine weekly PCR testing. All other resident and team members test results were negative. The team member last worked on March 27th in our Grove and Harbor Assisted Living neighborhoods, was asymptomatic and is currently isolating at home.
Out of an abundance of caution we quickly administered POC and PCR tests to all residents and team members this morning in the Veranda, Grove and Harbor neighborhoods. One resident in the Grove neighborhood and one resident in the Harbor neighborhood tested positive through Point of Care testing. Both residents are asymptomatic and being cared for in insolation.
We will meet with the county this week and re-assess after we receive the results from today’s PCR testing. All residents and team members in the Doak Walker neighborhood received PCR tests today as well. Results from the PCR testing will take a few days to return and we will keep you informed of the results.
Communal dining in the Veranda, Grove and Harbor neighborhoods are temporarily on-hold. We are temporarily pausing social visits in all levels of living. Church drives are cancelled for today.
We of course remain vigilant everyone continues to wear masks and follow all virus protocols. We will continue to monitor for all signs and symptoms including taking temperatures daily.
3/11/21
We are preparing for some wonderful family reunions! Just yesterday the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released new guidance that communities like ours should offer responsible and safe visit options regardless of vaccination status for families and residents. CMS put in place some restrictions, and as has been the case throughout the pandemic, we must receive the green light from the Colorado health department before we can actually host more indoor visits. Read the specific information on our Cappella Living Solutions website.
2/25/21
We want to share a positive COVID-19 test result that’s under further study in our Doak Walker neighborhood. A resident who had previously experienced a COVID infection tested positive in routine testing this week. The resident is asymptomatic, and is being cared for in isolation.
We are conducting additional surveillance testing with team members and residents, and working with the state labs to determine if this may be a lingering positive result from the infection many weeks ago.
We will meet with the county early next week and re-assess after we receive the results from this week’s second round of testing.
With 80% of associates and residents already having both vaccine doses, and another 4% having at least the first dose, risk of passing the virus is greatly reduced. We are grateful for our early vaccine clinics and extraordinary adoption among both residents and team members.
We are temporarily pausing social visits in Doak Walker. Essential visits and Designated Support Person visits will continue, as well as communal dining and limited small group programs for vaccinated residents.
We of course remain vigilant. Everyone continues to wear masks and follow all virus protocols. We will continue to monitor for all signs and symptoms including taking temperatures daily. We will continue with twice a week testing at this point.
We are eagerly planning for the next steps in re-opening as the community around us increases vaccination rates and state and local agencies consider the “herd immunity” we have accomplished at Casey’s Pond.
2/5/21
Indoor Visitations Available
In our continued commitment to keep you informed during this COVID-19 pandemic, we want to update you regarding our work to offer indoor/outdoor visitations, small groups (<10), dining services and outside trips per Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) directives.
Casey’s Pond has met the five criteria required for our community to offer the above services. The measurement that continues to be variable is our county’s 2-week positivity rate. We are thrilled to share that our county remains below the requirement of a rate less than 10%
Beginning Tuesday, February 9th, small groups will resume throughout the community. In addition, outdoor excursions will start on this date as well.
Indoor and outdoor visits will also begin next Tuesday. Scheduling visits will follow the same process as before. Details are listed below. As a reminder, visitors must also meet specific criteria and follow all community policies. A COVID-19 test is recommended, but not required. Visitation guidance is listed below. Outdoor visits will also remain available as the weather allows. We also encourage residents and families to connect via technology, such as video chat, letters, and care packages.
Finally, communal dining services is scheduled to resume on Monday, February 15th. More details will be shared in the coming days.
Please remember that this can change at any time due to virus activity in our community or an increase in the positivity rate in our county. We do post the positivity rate and cases per 1,000 rate weekly on our website on the COVID-19 Update tab and then the Weekly County Data Updates link. We will notify our Casey’s Pond family of any status changes.
We know connections with loved ones and friends if vitally important to the health and happiness of those we serve, we will continue to look for creative ways to help preserve precious relationships.
To register for an in-person visit, click here and select a time slot for your level of care (i.e. Veranda – independent, Harbor – memory support, Grove – assisted living, and DWH – skilled nursing). We also have some time slots that state they are for any level of care.
Indoor Visitor Instructions: During the COVID-19 pandemic, visitation is restricted to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 which is spread through person-to-person contact between people who are within six feet through respiratory droplets containing virus that are produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can be inhaled or touched by others which can result in the spread of the virus. COVID-19 spread is minimized by screening all visitors for symptoms and fever, asking both residents and visitors to wear a cloth face covering or face mask, performing hand hygiene, maintaining social distancing and ensuring the items in visitation spaces are cleaned and disinfected routinely. If the Community is in an outbreak, visitation will not be offered.
Below are the guidelines we ask you to follow. 1. The State Health department recommends that you self-quarantine 14 days prior to your visit and that you obtain a COVID-19 test 48 hours prior to your visit. 2. Please schedule your visit with the Community and limit the length to 45 minutes. 3. You must enter the Community at the designated entrance. Avoid interaction with other residents. A team member will greet you and screen you for COVID-19 symptoms and take your temperature. The team member will guide you to the indoor visitation area. 4. Please do not come if you are not feeling well. If you have a temperature over 100.0, symptoms of COVID-19, exposure to positive cases or unable to follow proper infection control, you will not be allowed to have the visit. 5. Please wash your hands or use hand gel prior to the visit. 6. Wear a face mask the complete time of the visit. Ask the Community for one if you do not have one. 7. Limit the surfaces you touch. 8. Maintain social distancing of six feet, including with your loved one. 9. Be sure to wash your hands after your visit. 10. Please monitor for signs and symptoms of respiratory infection for at least 14 days after your visit. If symptoms occur, self-isolate at home, contact your healthcare provider, and immediately notify the Community of the date you were in the Community, the individuals you were in contact with, and the locations within the Community you visited. The Community will take all necessary actions based on findings. Likewise, the Community will let you know if they experience COVID-19 activity that may have exposed you within 14 days of your visit so that you can respond appropriately.
1/15/21
Our second COVID-19 Vaccine clinic for the Doak Walker skilled nursing neighborhood will be Tuesday, January 19th and for the Grove, Harbor and Veranda neighborhoods the second clinic will be Monday, January 25th.
Second Doak Walker Vaccine Clinic Date
Tuesday, January 19th
8-11am & 1-3pm
Walgreens
Second Assisted Living Vaccine Clinic Date
Monday, January 25th
starts at 8:30am
Walgreens
This may your last chance to get the vaccine at the community. We cannot guarantee first-round doses will be available after these next clinics. This clinic will provide second and first-round doses.
We encourage everyone in our community to get the vaccine. We must reach a “herd immunity” both within our senior living community and in the broader community, we are located for life to eventually return to normal.
Right now, in the Doak, 100% of medically eligible residents received the first dose and 53% of medically eligible team members received the first dose. In our other three neighborhoods, those numbers are 100% of medically eligible residents and 65% of team members. Some people are not eligible due to health conditions or pregnancy, however, our goal is to reach at least a 95% vaccination rate with our next clinic.
The vaccine will begin to provide you protection about two weeks after your second vaccination.
If you are vaccinated, you are being a good neighbor and protecting others by getting the vaccine.
The more quickly we all are vaccinated, the faster we can begin to loosen restrictions and connect in person with each other again.
Until we reach a high percentage vaccination rate, we will all still need to continue wearing masks, socially distancing, and washing our hands.
Safety is a top priority for not only our community but also for all of the scientists and health experts working on the vaccination effort. Like any vaccine, there may be minor side effects such as soreness, achiness, and potentially low-grade fever. A small number of people experience more series side effects, but the percentages are low, and typically related to a history of anaphylactic allergic reactions. We have a lot of useful information on our website, CaseysPond.org, click on the COVID Updates tab, and then Latest Vaccine Information. In addition to reputable resources, we have the Walgreens consent form on the site that you can download, fill out and email to Rose George, rgeorge@caseyspond.org.
Now is the time to fully educate yourself about the vaccine. We want everyone who lives and works in our community to be vaccinated for the future safety of our community.
Update 1/11/21
From our continual twice a week testing for residents and team members, we’ve learned that an asymptomatic team member working in the Doak Walker neighborhood has tested positive for the virus and is isolating at home.
We are preparing for our second Walgreens vaccine clinic, currently scheduled for January 28th. We will have more information later this week. However, for anyone who did not receive their vaccine at the first clinic, the second clinic is your only chance to get the vaccine through Casey’s Pond. The third clinic date will only be for second dose administration.
We continue to monitor residents and team members for virus signs and symptoms, including taking temperatures daily. Twice a week, testing will continue for at least the near future. We are following virus protocols and continue with stringent anti-virus cleanings.
Thank you for your patience and commitment to eradicating this virus from Casey’s Pond and our greater community.
Status Update for January 7th
We remain vigilant in our commitment to quickly identify and isolate the COVID-19 virus in our community. Today we learned that a resident in our Doak Walker neighborhood tested positive for COVID-19. This was from a PCR test conducted on January 5th. The resident is experiencing mild symptoms and is being supported with full clinical isolation protocols at the community. The resident did receive the first round COVID-19 vaccine dose at our clinic on December 28th.
We are conducting twice a week testing for residents and team members. We continue to monitor residents and team members for virus signs and symptoms including taking temperatures daily. We are following virus protocols and continue with stringent anti-virus cleanings.
Our second Walgreens vaccine clinic is now scheduled for January 28th. We will have more information as we near that date.
Thank you for your patience and commitment to eradicating this virus from Casey’s Pond and our greater community.
1/4/21
Status Update for January 4th Happy New Year! We continue our commitment to battle COVID-19 and to timely and transparent communication for our Casey’s Pond family. From PCR testing conducted on December 31st we’ve learned of a positive, asymptomatic team member who works in the Doak Walker neighborhood who is now isolating at home.
We will continue with twice a week testing for residents and team members. We remain vigilant with everyone wearing masks and following virus protocols. We will continue to monitor for all signs and symptoms including taking temperatures daily.
At this time we do not have any changes to our current programs and protocols. We will continue to assess our ability to offer more options as our virus activity lessens.
Our second vaccine clinic is scheduled for January 18th. We will have more information as we near that date. Thank you for your patience and commitment to eradicating this virus from Casey’s Pond and our greater community.
12/28/20
Vaccines Administered in Community
Point of Care (POC) testing conducted yesterday identified a positive result for a team member who last worked in our Grove assisted living neighborhood on December 24th. The team member continues to self-isolate at home.
We are thrilled to share that our in community vaccine clinics started successfully today and thanks to amazing community support, we will be able to vaccinate residents and team members in all levels of living over the next two days.
Walgreens is providing vaccinations to skilled nursing residents while Routt County Health Department and Lyons Drug are vaccinating other neighborhoods. We are posting videos to our Facebook page and website, this is the best day we’ve had in a long time. We are incredibly grateful to everyone for working so hard to make this day possible.
We of course remain vigilant. Everyone continues to wear masks and follow all virus protocols. We will continue to monitor for all signs and symptoms including taking temperatures daily. We will continue with twice a week testing at this point.
Our second dose vaccination clinics will be scheduled for later in January.
This has been a particularly difficult year. Today marks a new beginning for our community. We are not out the woods yet, but we can see the clearing and the dawning of a brighter day. Thank you for your hard work and sacrifice.
Our organization commissioned a special music video to pay tribute to residents, families and team members who have collectively worked so hard this year. To view it please click here.
Thank you for your continued support and prayers. Together, we ARE getting through this.
12/24/20
First Doses of COVID-19 Vaccine Now To Include Assisted Living and Residential Living Residents and Associates!
We have more exciting news to share! We had initially anticipated the vaccine to be for our skilled nursing residents on Monday, however, we have learned that the vaccine will be available for assisted living and residential living residents, as well as associates in those neighborhoods. Walgreens will still plan to offer the vaccinations to skilled nursing residents while Routt County Health Department and Lyon’s Corner Drug will service the other neighborhoods. We will continue to keep you up to date on the latest developments as this is a fluid situation.
I cannot say enough about how proud I am of this community of residents for reaching 100% compliance with our vaccine consent forms. We are poised and ready to act fast as soon as we have more vaccine. THANK YOU!
With the holidays this week, I feel especially blessed to be part of Casey’s Pond and the Routt County community. This has been a difficult year, but there is hope on the horizon.
See today’s blog for the Steamboat Pilot’s latest on vaccination efforts in the community and photos of our team members getting vaccinated!
12/23/2020
First Doses of COVID-19 Vaccine Given at Casey’s Pond!
It has been an exciting 24 hours for us here at Casey’s Pond. Thanks to the generosity of UCHealth Yampa Valley Medical Center and Dr. Brian Harrington, Roberta Smith, and Brooke Maxwell with the Routt County Health Department, 40 of our front-line team members received their first round dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine! It feels like an early Christmas today. We are finally seeing the light at the end of our COVID tunnel! Thank you to everyone who helped make this happen. We continue to receive updates from Walgreens Pharmacy our vaccine clinic partner. As of today we still anticipate having our first full day clinics on Monday and Tuesday December 28th and 29th.
However, due to the limited supply, they anticipate only being able to vaccinate skilled nursing residents and team members who work in the Doak Walker neighborhood. Vaccinations for assisted living and residential living may be at a later date. The situation is very fluid and we continue to advocate for all residents and team members to receive the vaccine as soon as possible. We will keep you up to date on the latest vaccine developments.
I cannot say enough about how proud I am of this community of residents and team members for reaching 100% compliance with our vaccine consent forms. We are poised and ready to act fast as soon as we have more vaccine. THANK YOU!
With the holidays this week, I feel especially blessed to be part of Casey’s Pond and the Routt County community. This has been a difficult year, but there is hope on the horizon.
12/21/2020
Status Update and First Vaccine Clinic Date
From testing conducted on December 17th we’ve learned a team member who last worked in our Doak Walker skilled nursing area has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. This team member had limited resident contact and is isolating at home. We will continue with twice a week virus testing.
We are thrilled to share the good news with you that our Walgreens Pharmacy partner has set our first COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic where we will receive the Pfizer vaccine.
We anticipate the clinic to run for nine hours on the 28th with the potential of a second day on the 29th. We are still working on the details but our goal is to have all residents and team members of the community vaccinated with this first clinic.
We encourage everyone in our community to get the vaccine. We must reach a “herd immunity” both within our senior living community and in the broader community we are located for life to eventually return to normal.
• The vaccine will begin to provide you protection about two weeks after your second vaccination. • If you are vaccinated, you are being a good neighbor and protecting others by getting the vaccine. • The more quickly we all are vaccinated, the faster we can begin to loosen restrictions and connect in person with each other again. • Until we reach a high percentage vaccination rate, we will all still need to continue wearing masks, socially distancing, and washing our hands.
Many of you are eager to get the vaccine and put an end to this pandemic. Safety is top priority for not only our community but also for all of the scientists and health experts working on the vaccination effort. Like any vaccine, there may be minor side effects such as soreness, achiness, and potentially low-grade fever. A small number of people experience more series side effects, but the percentages are low, and typically related to history of anaphylactic allergic reactions. We have a lot of useful information on our website and links to scientifically proven data. Please take the time to learn more about the vaccine.
Please get ready now. We have the majority of resident and team member consent forms. If you haven’t turned one it yet, please do as soon as possible. We will need a current copy of each resident and employee insurance card. If you do not have one, please get one. The vaccine is free, however insurance may be charged for supplies and injection administration. If you do not have insurance, you will not be charged.
We are excited about this good news. We hope you are too!
12/16/2020
We are thrilled to share with you that our Pondside skilled nursing neighborhood, which was designated as our COVID positive support area, is now open. We no longer need to have a COVID cohorted area of the Doak Walker House.
We have received positive test results for a team member who last worked in the Grove assisted living neighborhood. The team member is isolating at home. We will conduct rapid Point of Care (POC) testing for team members and residents who may have come into contact with this team member. Twice a week testing continues for the rest of the community.
We are carefully monitoring and screening all residents and team members. If you or your loved one is exposed to or shows symptoms associated with COVID-19, you will receive a personal phone call. Additionally, we continue with stringent virus cleaning protocols and team members are wearing appropriate PPE as they provide care and move about the community. Residents continue to wear masks when outside of their apartment home.
Although you cannot visit with your loved one in person during this challenging time, we invite cards, window signs, pre-packaged snacks, and messages of encouragement! Follow the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/CaseysPond to see the latest individualized resident programming and dining at the community.
The family hotline number is still available, just for families to receive updated information, 970-517-3135.
If you didn’t get to join the Facts & Fiction of the COVID-19 Vaccine Facebook live event today with our clinical leaders, please visit the Cappella Facebook page for a recording of the event.
We are busily preparing for holiday fun and will have some reminders about visitations later this week.
12/14/2020
It is with a heavy heart that I share with you today that a cherished resident who lived in our Doak Walker skilled nursing neighborhood has passed away. We cannot state that COVID is the direct cause of this resident’s death, but they did have a positive test result, and in our continued commitment to transparency, we wanted to share this with our Casey’s Pond family. Our sincerest condolences to this resident’s family. We continue to hold them up in our thoughts and prayers.
We do not know of any residents in our community who are currently COVID positive and have four team members who have recovered and returned back to work.
We are carefully monitoring and screening all residents and team members. If you or your loved one is exposed to or shows symptoms associated with COVID-19, you will receive a personal phone call. Additionally, we continue with stringent virus cleaning protocols and team members are wearing appropriate PPE as they provide care and move about the community. Residents continue to wear masks when outside of their apartment home.
Although you cannot visit with your loved one in person during this challenging time, we invite cards, window signs, pre-packaged snacks, and messages of encouragement! Follow the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/CaseysPond to see the latest individualized resident programming and dining at the community.
You can find regular community updates on the Casey’s Pond website, www.Caseyspond.org.
We invite you to a live conversation to be held on our management partner Cappella Living Solutions Facebook page this Wednesday, December 16th, at 10 am. We will have clinical and operational leaders to answer questions regarding the vaccine.
The family hotline number is still available, just for families to receive updated information, 970-517-3135.
12/8/2020
In our continued commitment to timely notifications, we want to let you know that we’ve received a positive PCR test result for a team member who last worked in our Doak Walker skilled nursing neighborhood on December 7th. The associate is asymptomatic and is currently isolating at home.
We are carefully monitoring and screening all residents and team members. If you or your loved one is exposed to or shows symptoms associated with COVID-19, you will receive a personal phone call. Additionally, we continue with stringent virus cleaning protocols and appropriate PPE is being worn by team members as they provide care and move about the community. Residents continue to wear masks when outside of their apartment home.
Although you are not able to visit with your loved one in person during this challenging time, we invite cards, window signs, pre-packaged snacks, and messages of encouragement! Follow the Facebook page athttps://www.facebook.com/CaseysPond to see the latest individualized resident programming and dining at the community.
The family hotline number is still available, just for families to receive updated information, 970-517-3135.
We will continue to update as test results are returned.
12/7/2020
We continue our commitment to timely and transparent communication as our community seeks to mitigate COVID-19. We’ve received two positive test results for residents of the Doak Walker skilled nursing neighborhood. All residents received the PCR test and are being served with full PPE in isolation.
We gratefully share the recovery of four Doak residents whose isolation ended over the weekend, as well as three recovered associates who returned to work Sunday and Monday.
We continue routine testing, with team member and resident testing in assisted living and memory care today. Tests are also being performed today for associates in the Doak neighborhood.
We are carefully monitoring and screening all residents and team members. If you or your loved one is exposed to or shows symptoms associated with COVID-19, you will receive a personal phone call. Additionally, we continue with stringent virus cleaning protocols and appropriate PPE is being worn by team members as they provide care and move about the community. Residents continue to wear masks when outside of their apartment home.
Although you are not able to visit with your loved one in person during this challenging time, we invite cards, window signs, pre-packaged snacks, and messages of encouragement! Follow the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/CaseysPond to see the latest individualized resident programming and dining at the community.
You can find regular community updates on the Casey’s Pond website, www.Caseyspond.org. Additionally, we posted today some important information regarding how we anticipate the roll-out of the vaccine to go in our community as well as some vaccine data from the Centers for Disease Control, look at the COVID update page for the latest.
The family hotline number is still available, just for families to receive updated information, 970-517-3135.
We will continue to update as test results are returned.
12/3/2020
We’ve received three positive test results for team members working in the Doak Walker skilled nursing neighborhood. All team members received the PCR test and are isolating at home.
We are thrilled to share that two team members reached recovered status today and were cleared to return to work, we are happy to welcome them back and see their smiling faces!
We are administering tests today for residents and team members in our assisted living and memory care neighborhoods. Tests are being performed today for associates in the Doak with resident tests coming tomorrow.
We continue to carefully monitor and screen all residents and team members. If you or your loved one is exposed to or shows symptoms associated with COVID-19, you will receive a personal phone call. Additionally, we continue with stringent virus cleaning protocols and appropriate PPE is being worn by team members as they provide care and move about the community. Residents continue to wear masks when outside of their apartment home.
In apartment/suite dining options continue and small group life enrichment gatherings and visitations are postponed. Only a limited amount of care essential visits are being accommodated at this time.
We’ve posted today some important information regarding how we anticipate the roll-out of the vaccine to go in our community as well as some vaccine data from the Centers for Disease Control, click here to read more.
The family hotline number is still available, just for families to receive updated information, 970-517-3135.
12/1/2020
One Team Member Tests Positive Out of an abundance of caution we conducted a full round of rapid Point of Care (POC) testing yesterday for residents and team members. This testing returned one positive asymptomatic team member who last worked in our Grove/Harbor assisted living neighborhood yesterday. A more accurate PCR test confirmed the positive result today. The team member is at home. All other POC tests returned negative results.
We continue to carefully monitor and screen all residents and team members. If you or your loved one is exposed to or shows symptoms associated with COVID-19, you will receive a personal phone call. Additionally, we continue with stringent virus cleaning protocols and appropriate PPE is being worn by team members as they provide care and move about the community. Residents continue to wear masks when outside of their apartment home.
In apartment/suite dining options continue and small group life enrichment gatherings and visitations are postponed. Only a limited amount of care essential visits are being accommodated at this time.
The family hotline number is still available, just for families to receive updated information, 970-517-3135.
We continue to be thankful for frequent testing as this is our best weapon in battling the COVID-19 virus in our community. Thank you for your patience and support during this process.
11/30/2020
More Residents & Team Members Deemed Recovered!
We celebrate today that more residents are being removed from COVID isolation support protocols due to their recovery, we now have a total of 16 residents considered recovered! We are now only supporting five resident with isolation protocols due to the virus. We also celebrate the return of four team members who are now considered recovered from the virus.
We of course continue our vigilant testing protocols and administered both rapid POC and PCR tests over the weekend for residents and team members in various neighborhoods. While we await the results of the PCR testing, the rapid POC tests revealed a positive team member who last worked Thanksgiving Day in the Harbor memory support neighborhood. The team member is at home recuperating. One resident in the Doak Walker skilled nursing neighborhood tested positive and is one of the five residents we continue to support with isolation protocols.
We continue to carefully monitor and screen all residents and team members. If you or your loved one is exposed to or shows symptoms associated with COVID-19, you will receive a personal phone call.
Out of an abundance of caution we continue to provide in apartment/suite dining options and have postponed small group life enrichment gatherings and visitations. Only a limited amount of care essential visits are being accommodated at this time.
The family hotline number is still available, just for families to receive updated information, 970-517-3135.
We are committed to battling COVID-19 and to the health and well-being of everyone who lives and works in our community. Thank you for the continued support.
11/27/20
We are so appreciative of the family and community support as the world around us and Casey’s Pond continue to battle COVID-19. We are celebrating ten residents who have recovered or remained asymptomatic after testing positive! They will be coming off isolation protocols today through the weekend and doing well.
In an effort to best care for residents who test positive or show symptoms associated with the virus, and to further protect others from exposure to COVID-19, we are establishing a cohort neighborhood in Doak Walker where highly-trained and skilled caregivers will focus their efforts on these residents exclusively. Where appropriate, residents who are positive or show symptoms associated with COVID-19 will be carefully moved to this neighborhood.
We continue twice weekly testing of both team members and residents. Late Thursday and this morning we received a large number of test results back for residents and team members in the Doak Walker neighborhood. While many were negative, four residents and three associates returned positive test results.
We continue to monitor all residents and staff for signs and symptoms, and we continue with all virus sanitation and safety measures, including all Doak team members wearing N95 masks. Care essential visits are limited, as well. If you or your loved one is exposed to or shows symptoms associated with COVID-19, you will receive a personal phone call.
You can find regular community updates on the Casey’s Pond website, www.Caseyspond.org. The family hotline number is still available, just for families to receive updated information, 970-517-3135.
This holiday we are thankful for Casey’s Pond’s dedicated team members and the ongoing community support of our residents and team members.
11/25/2020
Our hearts are hurting today as we share the passing of a resident who had tested positive for COVID-19. The beloved resident lived with us in the Doak Walker skilled nursing neighborhood. Of course, we do not yet know if COVID-19 will be listed as this resident’s cause of death, but we are committed to being transparent with our Casey’s Pond family as together, we navigate this pandemic. We extend our sincerest sympathy and prayers to this resident’s family and friends.
We have conducted 250 tests this week for residents and team members and continue to receive negative test results. There are currently no positive cases in our Veranda residential living or Grove and Harbor assisted living neighborhoods.
We continue to monitor all residents and staff for signs and symptoms, and we continue with all virus sanitation and safety measures, including all Doak team members wearing N95 masks. Out of an abundance of caution, we continue with no life enrichment, dining, outdoor visits, or salon services at this. Care essential visits are limited, as well.
The family hotline number is still available, just for families to receive updated information, 970-517-3135.
We will have a special Thanksgiving meal for all residents, and we encourage families to call their loved ones. We are grateful for the patience and support of residents and families and the dedication of our hard-working team. It has been a hard eight months, but we still choose to give thanks even in these trying times.
We do not anticipate sending a notification on Thanksgiving Day unless there is an urgent need. We will resume messages on Friday if updates warrant.
11/24/2020
Curative Oral Swab PCR Tests Returning Negative So Far
We continue to receive test results back from our most recent round of mass testing and we are pleased to share that so far, all Curative oral swab PCR tests have returned negative. We still have several tests pending at this time and we will provide updates as results warrant.
We do have a team member who works in the Doak Walker skilled nursing neighborhood who tested positive after receiving a rapid Point of Care (POC) test. The team member last worked on November 22nd and is isolating at home pending the results of the more accurate Curative oral swab PCR test.
We continue to monitor all residents and staff for signs and symptoms, and we continue with all virus sanitation and safety measures, including all Doak team members wearing N95 masks.
Out of an abundance of caution, we continue with no life enrichment, dining, outdoor visits or salon services at this. Care essential visits are limited as well.
We are committed to supporting resident connections with others. We are bringing meals with a smile to each suite/apartment, supporting virtual visits, and providing individual life enrichment activities.
You can find regular community updates on the Casey’s Pond website, www.Caseyspond.org. The family hotline number is still available, just for families to receive updated information, 970-517-3135.
Our priority is the health and well-being of everyone who lives and works at our community. We are encouraged by our family member and greater community support, thank you for the kind words, messages, and care packages. Keep them coming, it means the world to residents and team members. Be well. Be Safe.
11/21/2020
Casey’s Pond COVID-19 Update
Casey’s Pond is committed to timely communication, we wanted to update you regarding the results of our continual testing. We were notified today that four additional residents in the Doak Walker skilled nursing neighborhood tested positive for COVID-19. Our dedicated team members are currently supporting 19 residents with isolation protocols in the Doak Walker skilled nursing neighborhood. We also received news that a team member that that works in Doak Walker tested positive for COVID-19 and is now at home recuperating.
We continue to monitor all residents and staff for signs and symptoms, and we continue with all virus sanitation and safety measures, including all Doak team members wearing N95 masks. We continue with our bi-weekly Curative oral swab PCR testing. Results are returning within 36 to 48 hours, helping us more quickly identify virus in our community. The ability to quickly identify, isolate, and eradicate the virus, which is gripping our community, state, and nation right now, is our goal.
Our dining rooms continue to be closed, we are delivering meals to resident’s apartment homes. Group life enrichment activities have stopped and the salons are closed for now. We ask that our families call their loved ones, drop-off care packages, and connect virtually if possible.
You can find regular community updates on the Casey’s Pond website, www.Caseyspond.org. The family hotline number is still available, just for families to receive updated information, 970-517-3135.
Our priority is the health and well-being of everyone who lives and works at our community. We thank you for your continued support and well wishes.
11/20/2020
Casey’s Pond COVID-19 Update
We continue to receive results from regular testing and are committed to sharing with you when we receive positive test results. As of today we now have 16 residents living in our Doak Walker House skilled nursing neighborhood who have tested positive for the virus. We now have four team members in the Doak and one team member in the Grove assisted living neighborhood who have tested positive. All other Grove, Harbor and Veranda resident and associate tests have returned negative.
Additionally, we are heart-broken to share that a resident who lived with us in the Doak neighborhood has passed away. The resident had tested positive for COVID and their death may be related to the virus, an official ruling has not yet come. Our thoughts and prayers go out to this resident’s family and friends. This is very difficult for our community.
We continue with our bi-weekly Curative oral swab PCR testing. Results are returning within 36 to 48 hours, helping us more quickly identify virus in our community.
We continue to monitor all residents and staff for signs and symptoms, and we continue with all virus sanitation and safety measures, including all Doak team members wearing N95 masks.
Our dining rooms continue to be closed, we are delivering meals to residents’ homes. Group life enrichment activities have stopped and the salons are closed for now. We ask that our families call their loved ones, drop-off care packages, and connect virtually if possible.
Governor Polis’s Level Red order goes into effect this evening for our county. We appreciate our greater community neighbors’ efforts to combat COVID-19, we know as cases rise in Steamboat it puts our residents at a greater risk. Thank you for doing your part.
The family hotline number is still available, just for families to receive updated information, 970-517-3135.
Thank you for your continued support and prayers, we appreciate it.
11/20/2020
Governor’s Level Red Order
Governor Polis’s Level Red order goes into effect this evening at 5:00 pm. The designation impacts everyone in our county and is aimed to stop the spread of COVID-19. Just this week, the Governor released a new statistic that 1 out of every100 people in the Denver metro area is infected with the virus. We also know that some state hospitals are already at capacity.
The order very specifically states that anyone considered in a high-risk population should stay home. People ages 65 and up are considered a high-risk population in the order definition; therefore, according to the state order, residents in our community should stay home unless they need to leave for a medically necessary reason.
The order also closes restaurants but still allows for take-out and delivery, and it limits the sizes of gatherings indoors. Again, this applies to everyone who lives in our county, not just senior living. The Centers for Disease Control has also issued a strong advisory asking people not to travel this Thanksgiving.
All of this information is hard to hear. We’ve been working to understand how this order impacts our senior living community. We have been seeking guidance from the state health department and local agencies for any changes in protocols and operations. These conversations are ongoing. Therefore the information listed below may change; this is what we know as of now, and what we must do to be in compliance with the new State order:
All dining rooms in our community are closed. We will provide in apartment/suite dining and to-go options for all residents. Those needing assistance with dining will continue to be supported in the dining room. To request in apartment/suite dining please contact your dining department.
All life enrichment gatherings are limited to five people and should be with people each resident is frequently around, their “COVID Bubble Buddy”. This is a term a group of residents came up with to describe what the health order refers to as pods of people, a “household”. Now is the time for all residents in our community to identify their “Bubble Buddies,” up to five people in your specific neighborhood, that you can socialize with while maintaining a safe bubble, creating your household. Residents must continue to wear a mask, keep six feet of social distance with each other, and wash their hands frequently if they are together with their “bubble buddies.”
By regulation, anyone who lives in assisted living, memory support or skilled nursing and chooses to leave our community for a non-clinical appointment must then quarantine for 14 days when they return to the community. Per recent testing mandates, they will be tested twice a week along with team members.
With the risk of exposure so high in our area, we are also asking residential living residents to consider the health and well-being of their neighbors before leaving the community for a non-clinical visit. We are providing all residential living residents an exposure risk assessment to help in your decision. If you do, we request you consider a 14 day isolation period to ensure you weren’t inadvertently exposed to the virus and do not spread it to the community. We know we have a conscientious group of people who want to be a good neighbor.
All hair salons that were previously open will remain open with salon staff following all Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) regulations.
Now is the time to pull together as a community and “protect our house.” We want to be safe and responsible for each other. We also want to be creative and find ways to retain and build a connection with each other for our mental and emotional well-being. Please start talking with your neighbors about building your “bubble buddy” system. Work together to place calls to each other, schedule video chats, and small groups of five gatherings with social distance. Now is the time to establish your tribe of people within our community
For our cherished families, we know these restrictions are worrisome. Please stay in communication with your loved one, schedule video visits, closed window visits, send care packages, drop off cards and favorite meals, plan a “parade of lights” through our parking lot and let us know if you have concerns so we can try to help.
We are in this together. With new vaccines on the horizon, we have to now more than ever, support and love each other, and we will get through this together.
11/18/2020
Casey’s Pond COVID-19 Update
Casey’s Pond is committed to timely communication, we wanted to update you regarding the results of our continual testing. We were notified today that four additional residents in the Doak Walker skilled nursing neighborhood tested positive for COVID-19. A total of 15 residents are currently being supported with isolation protocols in the Doak Walker skilled nursing neighborhood. In addition, an associate also tested positive that last worked in Doak Walker on November 16th and is now at home recuperating.
We are pleased to announce that the resident that was being supported in the Grove assisted living neighborhood has recovered and comes off of isolation tomorrow. There are no active COVID-19 cases at Casey’s Pond in the residential living, assisted living and memory care neighborhoods.
We are committed to regular, timely testing as one of our best weapons in combating COVID-19. The ability to quickly identify, isolate, and eradicate the virus, which is gripping our community, state, and nation right now, is our goal.
We continue to monitor all residents and staff for signs and symptoms, and we continue with all virus sanitation and safety measures, including all Doak team members wearing N95 masks.
The family hotline number is still available, just for families to receive updated information, 970-517-3135.
Our priority is the health and well-being of everyone who lives and works at our community. We know that we are not the only community members battling the spread of the virus in Steamboat Springs. We thank you for your continued support and well wishes.
11/17/2020
Faster Test Results Improve Virus Identification at Casey’s Pond
Yesterday afternoon we conducted Rapid Point of Care, POC tests on all residents and team members at Casey’s Pond thanks to the Routt County Health Department, who provided us testing strips. That effort identified an additional nine residents and one team member as positive for COVID-19. A total of ten residents are being supported with isolation protocols in the Doak Walker skilled nursing neighborhood, the other resident continues to be supported in their Grove assisted living neighborhood. The team member worked in the Doak skilled nursing area and is recovering at home. We are thankful to have access to the rapid test to identify and isolate the virus quickly. We’ve seen up to an eight days lag as we await results from labs.
We additionally completed our first round of Curative Oral Swab PCR testing. This oral swab testing is a statewide partnership that should return results within three days, and these results would either verify or dismiss the rapid test results. We are committed to regular, timely testing as one of our best weapons in combating COVID-19. The ability to quickly identify, isolate, and eradicate the virus, which is gripping our community, state, and nation right now, is our goal.
We continue to monitor all residents and staff for signs and symptoms, and we continue with all virus sanitation and safety measures, including all Doak team members wearing N95 masks.
The family hotline number is still available, just for families to receive updated information, 970-517-3135.
Our priority is the health and well-being of everyone who lives and works at our community. We know that we are not the only community members battling the spread of the virus in Steamboat Springs. We are thankful for the partnership with our health department and our community’s support and understanding. It means a great deal to us.
11/16/2020
Positive PCR COVID-19 Test
Casey’s Pond continues routine weekly testing of residents and team members in assisted living, memory support, and skilled nursing neighborhoods. While we received mostly negative PCR test results for tests administered last week, we have received one positive result for a resident of the Grove Assisted Living who was tested November 8th. The resident is asymptomatic and has been served in social isolation since prior to the test.
Yesterday we observed flu-like symptoms in a resident of the Pondside neighborhood of the Doak Walker skilled nursing and quickly conducted a COVID-19 Point of Care rapid test. The resident had an initial positive test result for the virus. The resident is isolated and we are awaiting results of the more accurate PCR test. At present no other Doak Walker residents or associates are showing symptoms.
Starting today, we will re-test all residents and associates of the Grove, Harbor, and Doak Walker neighborhoods as well as dining associates with both Point of Care rapid testing and PCR tests. As case and testing volume increases, PCR test results have taken more than a week to receive. This week we are starting a new testing partnership with Curative Labs, who promises test results returned within 48 hours. We are hopeful this will allow us to more quickly communicate with all of you and restore programming and visits as appropriate.
We continue to conduct contact tracing and notify all associates and residents who may have come in contact with the resident. We continue to monitor all residents and staff for signs and symptoms and will continue weekly PCR testing. Team members are following all virus sanitation and safety measures, including all Doak and Grove team members wearing N95 masks and appropriate PPE.
While outdoor visits, group life enrichment and dining programs, and salon services are paused, here are things you can do to show your love and encouragement to residents and team members. • Drop off cards or letters of encouragement and pre-packaged snacks for your loved one and associates • Make signs or art and place on your loved one’s window or outside in the grass Chalk the sidewalks with encouraging messages • Join the upcoming Cappella Town Hall Thursday, November 19th at 4 p.m. MST. Register • Schedule a staff-assisted video visit by selecting a slot here • Follow the Casey’s Pond Facebook page to see the latest in resident programming and dining at the community • Raise up residents and associates in your thoughts and prayers
The family hotline number is still available, just for families to receive updated information, 970-517-3135.
Our priority is the health and well-being of everyone who lives and works at our community.
11/13/2020
Mandatory Covid Testing Order
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) issued a new mandatory COVID testing order that will go into effect for our community on Friday, November 20th.
This order requires us to test ALL team members and professionals providing care (vendors, doctors, etc.) associated with our assisted living neighborhood weekly. This mandate also requires testing of any resident of those neighborhoods who leave our community within the last 14 days. Again this goes into effect on Friday, November 20th, therefore any resident leaving this weekend or after, will be part of the testing “look back” period. If our county’s positivity rate increases above 10%, we then will need to test team members and residents twice a week until the rate goes back below 10% for two consecutive weeks.
We are working to set up a standing testing time and date so team members can make accommodations to take part in this mandatory testing. We will also schedule residents who qualify for this surveillance testing on the same days as the team member testing.
To help ensure we are able to conduct this weekly testing, the state has partnered with Curative, a national COVID testing firm to provide supplies and equipment to communities. The test will be an oral saliva test and team members will be able to administer it themselves. Curative has worked with other states and provided test results within 48 hours of receiving the test sample, an improvement over the several day wait we are now experiencing. We will provide all team members, residents, and families more information about where, how and when the testing will take place as soon as we work out a few more details and receive our test supplies.
The timing of this order is something to take into consideration for the holidays. If a resident leaves for Thanksgiving, they will be required to be tested and to socially isolate for 14 days upon return to the community. Both the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and CDPHE state that this mandated testing will not shorten the required 14 day social isolation period for residents in our assisted living, memory support, and assisted living neighborhoods.
We highly recommend that everyone who lives and works at Casey’s Pond exercise caution and take extra safety steps during this holiday season. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has issued some Thanksgiving guidelines for all of us to consider if we choose to take part in a gathering.
Take into consideration the local county positivity rate before planning a gathering.
Those preparing food should wear a mask at all times.
If two or more households are gathering, everyone should wear a mask.
For residents hosting a small in apartment gathering, you do not have to count each in community apartment as a separate household. Casey’s Pond is considered one household according to CDPHE, however, you must still adhere to no more than six to 10 people, and you must practice social distancing.
Keep the gathering small and short in duration to limit exposure risk.
If possible, have a window open or better yet, host the meal outside. Governor Polis has asked for no more than two households to gather together.
Attempt to maintain social distancing of six feet or more at all times.
We will serve a special meal for residents and team members on Thanksgiving. We will also do our best to help families connect for the holiday through technology visits, outside visits (if we are able), and closed window visits.
With the surge in cases in our community and nationally, we all must do our part to stop the spread of the virus and protect those most vulnerable to the harsher effects of this very contagious virus.
Thank you for your support and understanding during this challenging phase of our community’s life.
Update 11/9/20
Casey’s Pond COVID-19 Status Update
Casey’s Pond is committed to timely communication and transparency, we wanted to update you regarding the results of our continual testing. We were notified today that a team member that works in the Doak Walker skilled nursing neighborhood and a team member who works in the general administration area both tested positive for COVID-19 through a POC or Point of Care test. Both team members have also had the more traditional PCR nasal swab test, we are awaiting those results. Both team members are not working in the community and are isolating at home.
We have conducted extensive contact tracing and have notified all associates and residents who may have come in contact with these team members. We continue to monitor all residents and staff for signs and symptoms. At this time no one is exhibiting classic COVID-19 symptoms. We continue with all virus sanitation and safety measures including all Doak team members wearing N95 masks for the near future.
We have paused admissions to the Doak Walker skilled nursing neighborhood at this time. Out of an abundance of caution, we are also pausing outdoor visits and salon services. The family hotline number is still available, just for families to receive updated information, 970-517-3135.
Our priority is the health and well-being of everyone who lives and works at our community.
Update 11/5/20
Positive Team Member Test Result
Casey’s Pond is committed to timely communication and transparency, we wanted to update you regarding the results of our continual testing. We were notified today that a team member that works in the Doak Walker neighborhood tested positive for COVID-19. The team member last worked October 30th, had very limited exposure to residents, was wearing a mask and is now isolating at home.
We have conducted extensive contact tracing and have notified all associates and residents who may have come in contact with this team member. We continue to monitor all residents and staff for signs and symptoms. At this time no one is exhibiting classic COVID-19 symptoms. We continue with all virus sanitation and safety measures including all Doak team members wearing N95 masks for the near future.
The family hotline number is still available, just for families to receive updated information, 970-517-3135.
Our priority is the health and well-being of everyone who lives and works at our community. Thank you for your continued patience.
Update 10/28/20
Good News on Mass Testing Results
The Routt County Health Department and Casey’s Pond continue to partner and we are pleased to share that all resident and team members test results from last week’s mass testing were negative for COVID-19. At this time Casey’s Pond has no active COVID-19 cases, all team members have recovered.
This week we had voluntary testing for residents and continue mandatory weekly testing for associates. Our number one priority is the health, safety, and well-being of everyone who lives and works at our community.
Thank you for your continued support.
Update 10/21/20
Good News Test Results, Outdoor Visits, and More
Casey’s Pond continues to partner with the Routt County Health Department and we are pleased to share that all resident and team members test results from last week’s mass testing were negative for COVID-19. Additionally, all five of the team members that previously tested positive remained asymptomatic while in quarantine and four have already returned to work.
We will continue to conduct routine testing of staff and residents. Our number one priority is the health, safety, and well-being of everyone who lives and works at our community.
Finally, we are happy to announce on Thursday, October 22nd we will resume outdoor family visits, salon services, and small group activities.
Thank you for your continued patience and support.
Update 10/15/20
More Test Results
Casey’s Pond is committed to timely communication and transparency, we were notified today that three team members that work in the Doak Walker neighborhood tested positive for COVID-19. One team member last worked the end of September, one on October 11th and one on October 14th. All three team members are asymptomatic and are recovering at home. We continue to monitor all residents and staff for signs and symptoms. At this time no one is exhibiting classic COVID-19 symptoms.
Casey’s Pond continues to work closely with the CDPHE and the Routt County Health Department, out of an abundance of caution they have recommended mass testing for all residents and team members. Additionally, we have temporarily suspended outdoor visits, small group events and salon visits for all residents and holding on new admissions until we receive test results.
We continue with all virus sanitation and safety measures including all Doak team members wearing N95 masks for the near future. Our priority is the health, safety, and well-being of everyone who lives and works at our community.
The family hotline number is still available, just for families to receive updated information, 970-517-3135.
We will keep our Casey’s Pond family informed as we receive mass testing results. Thank you for your continued patience and support.
Update 10/14/20
Positive Team Member Test Result
Casey’s Pond is committed to timely communication and transparency, we wanted to update you regarding the results of our continual testing. We were notified today that a team member that works in the Doak Walker neighborhood tested positive for COVID-19. The team member last worked today, was wearing a mask, was asymptomatic and is now recovering at home. We are still awaiting tests results for three team members that work in the Doak Walker House skilled nursing all other resident and team members test results were negative.
We continue to monitor all residents and staff for signs and symptoms. At this time no one is exhibiting classic COVID-19 symptoms.
Out of an abundance of caution we have temporarily suspended outdoor visits, small group events and salon visits for Doak Walker residents until all results from this week’s testing are received. The residential and assisted living neighborhoods have no virus activity and programming and activities have not been impacted. We continue with all virus sanitation and safety measures including all Doak team members wearing N95 masks for the near future.
Our priority is the health, safety, and well-being of everyone who lives and works at our community.
The family hotline number is still available, just for families to receive updated information, 970-517-3135.
We will keep our Casey’s Pond family informed as we receive more test results and if there is any change in status for the community. Thank you for your continued patience and support.
Update 10/7/20
Negative Test results Returned for Assisted Living Residents and Team Members
We are pleased to share that all residents and team members in both the Grove and Harbor assisted living neighborhoods, have tested negative for COVID-19. We are still awaiting results for more resident and team member tests in the Doak Walker House skilled nursing and Veranda residential living neighborhoods. We are committed to timely communication and transparency, especially in light of our singular positive test result received yesterday for a team member.
We continue to monitor all residents and staff for signs and symptoms. At this time no one is exhibiting classic COVID-19 symptoms.
We will keep our Casey’s Pond family informed as we receive more test results and if there is any change in status for the community. As a reminder, we have postponed outdoor visits for the Doak Walker neighborhood out of an abundance of caution. We continue with all virus sanitation and safety measures including all Doak team members wearing N95 masks for the near future.
Our priority is the health, safety, and well-being of everyone who lives and works at our community.
The family hotline number is still available, just for families to receive updated information, 970-517-3135.
We will post additional results as soon as we have them. Thank you.
Update 9/3/20
Next Steps for Colorado Governor’s Guidance on Indoor Visits
We are as excited as our families and residents to hear the good news that Governor Polis and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) has given final guidance on allowing indoor visits within residential care communities.
There are six criteria that each community must meet before offering indoor visits ranging from the degree of virus spread in the greater community to baseline testing of team members and PPE availability. We are assessing our community’s eligibility to offer indoor visits based on the six criteria now, to read more detail please visit the CDPHE website.
If we meet these six criteria, then there are additional requirements of the person coming into the community. This includes being able to have documented proof of a negative Antigen COVID-19 test within 48 hours prior to the scheduled visit. Without that proof, and having results back within that time frame, we cannot accommodate an indoor visit.
We appreciate our resident and family member’s patience as we work through this new exciting guidance. In the meantime, we continue to offer outdoor visits, window, and plexiglass divider visits. Please continue to take advantage of these opportunities and technology-supported visits while implementing the Governor’s new directives. We are as anxious as you are and will quickly work to implement these visits as we are able.
We will host a special CLC-Cappella Colorado Communities Town Hall Webinar on Tuesday, September 8th at 4:30pm MT for residents, families and team members to receive the latest progress towards implementation and what is required.
Casey’s Pond continues to partner with the Routt County Health Department and we are pleased to share that all resident and team members test results that were received this week were negative for COVID-19. Mass testing continues and we are awaiting 43 resident and 93 associate test results.
Our priority is the health, safety and well-being of everyone who lives and works at our community and we are happy to share more good news! Please note this information is subject to change at any time in response to developments in county, state, or federal policy and the health conditions in our area.
Dining: The Veranda Dining Room re-opens Monday, July 27th for residents who live in Residential Living. Dining safety protocols remain in place which includes social distanced seating, temperature screening and reservations due to reduced seating capacity. Currently, communal dining for residents in assisted living, skilled nursing and rehab is still restricted by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
Update 7/17/20
Casey’s Pond COVID-19 Status Update
Casey’s Pond number one priority is the health, safety and well-being of everyone who lives and works at our community. We continue working with Routt County and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, and are pleased to share some good news! Please note this information is subject to change at any time in response to developments in county, state, or federal policy and the health conditions in our area.
Outdoor Visits:
Outdoor family visits for all levels of living are now available and must be scheduled 48 hours in advance. Visits may be scheduled on-line at https://signup.com/go/qFFoZcW. At this time visits are 30 minutes and limited to 2 guests. Guests will be asked screening questions, must have temperature checked and wear masks during the visits. The visits will take place on the Veranda Patio with 8ft. of social distance. At this time we are limiting repeat visits to once a week, to ensure all residents and families have an opportunity for visits. Visits are supervised but at a distance for privacy. If you need assistance with scheduling visits on-line the concierge will be happy to help.
Update 7/13/20
Casey’s Pond COVID-19 Status Update
Casey’s Pond number one priority is the health, safety and well-being of everyone who lives and works at our community. We are pleased to receive 85 resident and 156 staff test results that were negative for COVID-19. We currently have 20 resident and 95 team member test results pending.
We have been working with Routt County and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, continuing to advocate for the balance of resident safety and the crucial need to maintain physical and mental health and happiness. We are pleased to share some good news! Please note that this information is subject to change at any time in response to developments in county, state, or federal policy and the health conditions in our area.
Outdoor Visits:
Starting this week we will pilot outdoor family visits for all levels of living. At this time visits will be limited to 2 guests they will be asked screening questions, must have temperature checked and wear masks during the visits. The visits will take place on the Veranda Patio with 8ft. of social distance. Visits are supervised but a distance for privacy. We are planning to open public scheduling next week for visits. More details to follow on scheduling.
Life Enrichment:
Small group activities and events have restarted. Group size is limited and based on size of area to ensure social distancing and residents are required to wear masks. Group sizes will be no more than 6.
Casey’s Pond Salon and Spa:
We continue to work with Routt County and the CDPHE and anticipate an approval soon on re-opening salon services. We will keep you informed as regulations permit.
Dining:
No communal dining has been approved at this time. We are looking forward to announcing changes to dining services soon.
Update 7/9/20
Casey’s Pond COVID-19 Status Update
Casey’s Pond remains committed to transparent communication as we fight COVID-19. The health, safety and well-being of everyone who lives and works at our community is our number one priority. Today we received 52 negative resident and staff tests results with 193 pending.
We are diligently working with Routt County and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and continue to advocate for balance of resident safety and the crucial need to maintain physical and mental health and happiness. Out of an abundance of caution we have temporarily cancelled group activities, communal dining and the re-opening of Casey’s Pond Salon. We will keep you informed of any additional changes or updates as soon as they become available.
We continue to vigorously clean the entire community multiple times a day with virus killing cleaners and stringent virus mitigation protocols such as wearing masks, temperature and symptom checks, and good hand hygiene.
Thank you for your continued patience.
Update 7/8/20
Positive Test Result for Team Member
Casey’s Pond remains committed to transparent communication as we fight COVID-19. We’ve received news today that one team member tested positive for COVID-19. The associate last worked in the Doak Walker neighborhood today was asymptomatic, wore a mask as required and is now recovering at home. We continue to work closely with the Routt County Health Department and all residents and team members have been re-tested to ensure the well-being of everyone who works and lives at Casey’s Pond. We currently have 66 resident’s and 179 team member’s test results pending.
We are vigorously cleaning the entire community multiple times a day with virus-killing cleaners and stringent virus mitigation protocols such as wearing masks, temperature and symptom checks, and good hand hygiene.
We will continue providing updates as we receive results.
Update 7/3/20
Positive Test Result for Team Member
In our continued commitment to full transparency with our Casey’s Pond family, we, unfortunately, must share that a team member has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus upon returning from being out of the local area. The team member last worked seven days ago and it is believed they contracted the virus during this time away.
The team member has not been back to work, however, this team member lives at the community. We are currently conducting extensive contact tracing to see what, if any, resident and associate exposures may have happened when the team member returned to the property. The team member has been in self-quarantine in their Casey’s Pond apartment since being tested on July 1st. They returned to the community on June 30th and we received the result of the rapid test today.
We of course are taking this situation very seriously and continue vigorous virus cleanings of the entire community daily as well as stringent virus mitigation protocols such as wearing masks, temperature and symptom checks, and good hand hygiene.
Out of an abundance of caution, we are cancelling weekend activities, plexiglass visits and communal dining for Veranda residents at this time. We are also working closely with the Routt County Health Department to determine what additional testing may be necessary.
The safety and well-being of everyone who lives and works at Casey’s Pond is our top priority, we will continue to do everything we can to combat the COVID-19 virus.
Update 7/1/20
Good News…Outdoor Visits, Life Enrichment and More!
Casey’s Pond number one priority is the health, safety and happiness of our residents. We are pleased to share some good news! Please note that this information is subject to change at any time in response to developments in county, state, or federal policy and the health conditions in our area.
Outdoor Visits:
Outdoor plexi-glass family visits are now available. They are by appointment only for up to 2 guests and can be scheduled online at www.signup.com/go/qFFoZcW. Guests will be asked screening questions, must have temperature checked and wear masks during the visits. Additionally, next week we have approval to pilot/test a couple of outdoor visits without the use of plexi-glass.
Casey’s Pond Salon and Spa:
Starting the week of July 13th, Casey’s Pond Salon re-opens to residents living in the Veranda neighborhood only. We will keep you informed as regulations permit salon visits for residents living in assisted living, memory support and skilled care neighborhoods.
Driving:
Residents that drive may drive their personal vehicles on scenic drives and to businesses for essential needs including salons and for pet care appointments. Stops for family visits are not permitted.
Life Enrichment:
Small group activities and events have restarted. Group size is limited and based on size of area to ensure social distancing and residents are required to wear masks. While no formal calendar has been published, communication within the community will ensure residents are aware of opportunities.
Testing as directed by the Routt County Health Department continues, however it is important to note that it has been nearly five weeks since our last positive result.
Please have a safe and wonderful July 4th weekend!
Update 6/24/20
Good News Testing Results and Outdoor Visits Coming Soon!
Casey’s Pond continues to partner with the Routt County Health Department and we are pleased to share the good news that we received negative COVID-19 test results for eight residents and 49 team members. Mass testing continues for all residents and staff (except for residents that live in Doak Walker skilled nursing neighborhood) and we are awaiting 27 residents and 82 associate test results. The total number of tests to date is 1,336.
Additionally, late yesterday afternoon the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment per Governor Polis’s direction released directives for outside visits with loved ones for people living in long-term care communities such as ours that include residential living, assisted living, memory support and skilled nursing. The directives require a new protocol be written by communities and that training take place before these outside visits can be scheduled. We are working through the directives and developing the protocols and trainings, this will take some time. We will update you on our community’s ability to host these visits as soon as we can.
Casey’s Pond continues to partner with the Routt County Health Department and we are pleased to share the good news that another resident and team member have recovered from COVID-19.
Additionally, we also receive more negative COVID-19 test results for 40 residents and 108 team members. Mass testing continues for all residents and staff (except for residents that live in Doak Walker skilled nursing neighborhood) and we are awaiting 31 residents and 79 associate test results. The total number of tests to date is 1,280.
While many states are in various stages of reopening, government restrictions have not changed for senior living communities. We are still under restrictive CDC status. However, CLC-Cappella has formed a Health and Happiness Committee to reevaluate our current procedures in order to strike a balance between the crucial need to maintain physical health with mental health leading to happiness.
We have some additional ways Casey’s Pond is responding currently. Please note that these measures are subject to change at any time in response to developments in the county, state, or federal policy and the health conditions in our area. Here are some of the measures available at this time, please contact us with questions or for complete details.
Essential Health/Business Visits and Scenic Drives: Residential Living residents may drive their personal vehicles on scenic drives and to businesses for essential needs including salons. Stops for family visits are not permitted. Stylists are not allowed to come to the community.
Scenic Excursions: Scenic drives for up to 4 residents with appropriate social distancing have started if you would like to participate please sign up with the Concierge.
Dining: The Veranda Dining Room is open for residents who live in Residential Living. Currently, communal dining for residents in assisted living, skilled nursing and rehab is still restricted by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
Move-ins: We are accepting new move-ins on a case-by-case basis in all levels of living so we can continue to serve older adults needing services.
Update 6/12/20
Testing Results and Community Updates
Casey’s Pond continues to partner with the Routt County Health Department and we are pleased to share more negative COVID-19 test results for four residents and 63 team members. Mass testing continues for all residents and staff (except for residents that live in Doak Walker) and we are awaiting 63 resident and 132 associate test results. The total number of tests to date is 1,217.
While many states are in various stages of reopening, government restrictions have not changed for senior living communities. We are still under restrictive CDC status. However, CLC-Cappella has formed a Health and Happiness Committee to reevaluate our current procedures in order to strike a balance between the crucial need to maintain physical health with mental health leading to happiness.
We have some additional ways Casey’s Pond is responding currently. Please note that these measures are subject to change at any time in response to developments in the county, state, or federal policy and the health conditions in our area. Here are some of the measures available at this time, please contact us with questions or for complete details.
Essential Health/Business Visits and Scenic Drives: Residential Living residents may drive their personal vehicles on scenic drives and to businesses for essential needs including salons. Stops for family visits are not permitted. Stylists are not allowed to come to the community.
Scenic Excursions: Scenic drives for up to 4 residents with appropriate social distancing have started if you would like to participate please sign up with the Concierge.
Dining: The Veranda Dining Room re-opens Sunday, June 14th for residents who live in Residential Living. Currently, communal dining for residents in assisted living, skilled nursing and rehab is still restricted by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
Move-ins: Starting, Monday, June 15th Casey’s Pond has been approved by Routt County to accept new move-ins on a case-by-case basis in all levels of living
Update 6/8/20
Casey’s Pond COVID-19 Status Update
Casey’s Pond is pleased to share negative COVID-19 test results for 23 residents and 58 team members. The Routt County Health Department has agreed that we do not need to continue testing Doak Walker residents due to continued negative test results. Mass testing will continue for residents in residential living, assisted living and all associates. We are awaiting 27 resident and 83 associate test results. The total number of tests to date is 1,065.
We continue all virus mitigation protocols and continue at this time to operate under the restricted CDC status for our community.
Our next Family Town Hall webinar is on Thursday, June 11th at 4 p.m. (MT), where you will hear from Christian Living Communities and Cappella Living Solutions organizational leaders on the latest information on what we are doing to combat COVID-19 in our community as well as new processes and procedures our community may soon be able to accommodate. Questions may be submitted in advance to Info@clcmail.org Register for the webinar on website at here.
In our continuing commitment to transparent communication, we will continue providing updates as we receive results here on our website.
FAQ
Q: What is being done to protect residents and staff?
A: We continue to implement rigorous virus sanitizing protocols daily. The county health department continues to direct our actions. Residents’ temperatures are taken twice daily and the team is vigilantly monitoring all signs and symptoms for everyone who lives and works at Casey’s Pond.
Q: Is Casey’s Pond Safe?
A: The COVID-19 Pandemic is a world-wide health crisis. While no place at this time is immune to the virus, we continue extraordinary precautions with the guidance of local health officials and the CDC.
Q: What are the ‘rules’ your respective communities follow to detect, contain and isolate COVID-19?
A: The health and safety of our residents and team members is our top priority and we will continue to practice all federal, and local mandated measures as well as our organizational procedures to limit exposure of COVID-19 in our communities.
Q: Who is allowed to visit your communities?
A: The community is scheduling video calls and courtyard visits (patio visits, lawn visits) with social distancing and plexiglass for family visitors.
For all licensed neighborhoods – assisted living and memory support are on ‘restricted status.’ We are adhering to visitation guidelines established by the state health department, CDC and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Visitation to assisted living community, or memory support community is limited to:
‘Essential Need Only’ visits. Essential need visits include support care and family visits in resident mental health and end-of-life situations.
Visits must be brief.
Q: How are visitors being screened?
A: We screen everyone entering the building everyday immediately, including team members and essential care providers. Screening includes:
Fever screening, we take temperatures of everyone, including team members
Cough and/or shortness of breath
Sore throat
Any travel outside of country or state
Identifying if they have visited another senior living community
Questions on purpose of visit
Once screening is complete, visitors must wash hands before visiting residents and after leaving the community
Q: What are residents doing to stay positive and connected
A: Maintaining a positive attitude is crucial. Positivity begets positivity. We encourage our team member to stay positive and imbue residents with positivity. We are also encouraging residents to:
Continue to be social and actively engaged at safe social distances – for example hallway BINGO, hallway exercising and trivia
Communicate with loved ones through texts, emails and social media. We’re encouraging community members to post photos on Facebook and tag everyone they want to see the photo
We’re leveraging technology (FaceTime, Zoom, Skype, Facebook, Instagram, emails and text) to connect residents with loved ones outside the community and with each other. Examples include:
Virtual visits
Bible study
Playing and listening to music performances
Message board photos
Reading books to children via Skype
For residents who don’t know how to use/unable to use technologies, families can sign up for a team member to assist their loved one to use virtual visit technologies.
We’re encouraging folks to drop off a favorite pre-packaged food item or card. These will be wiped with EPA-approved disinfectant wipes before being delivered. We’re also encouraging:
Writing notes to each other, to family and team members
Enlist internal and external groups/committees – church, book clubs, knitters to do a card shower for residents and team members
Continuing Pen Pals programs – letters and notes back and forth between students and residents
Musical performances/poetry outside resident windows
Q: Can you describe your training protocols?
A: CLC/CLS already conducts extensive yearly training for all team members in managing infections and preventing the spread of infectious diseases. These protocols are multi-disciplinary and prescriptive to prevention, containment and how to stop the spread of the disease should it occur.
All communities are following a special set of coronavirus-specific policies and procedures modeled after our very successful flu and norovirus protocols. Training and protocols include:
Provide training for all employees on infection control standards
Report and act quickly if any symptoms are reported in the community
Start isolation procedures immediately if COVID-19 is suspected
Notify State and/or Local Health Department which coordinates with CDC to transport resident or team member to hospital for testing
Follow state report guidelines for any confirmed cases
Q: What is done if a team member or resident shows symptoms?
A: If a team member has any symptoms, they are required to stay home and report symptoms to their doctor to determine if they meet COVID-19 test standards. If a resident exhibits symptoms, we are contacting the local health department and their doctor to determine the best plan for testing.
All residents and team members need to have their most current insurance cards. If you misplaced your insurance card please make sure you get a replacement card for yourself or your loved one as soon as possible, so the process moves forward as smoothly as possible.
Cappella (or CLC) President and CEO Jill Vitale-Assume recently hosted a FB live event with two clinical experts, CLC Medical Director Dr. Erick Gomer MD, and VP of Clinical and Compliance, Pat McBride, RN, BSN, MSN. Watch the video to hear these experts sort COVID 19 Vaccine fact from fiction.
