We are now entering a new phase of community life, which will include opportunities to return to some activities and events. Team members, residents and family members are learning new ways to engage and connect as we continue to balance the need to maintain the physical health of residents with mental health that leads to happiness. Our teams are working hard to bring vital life enrichment activities, recreation, dining, and excursions back to Casey’s Pond, as long as there is a way to do so safely. We are celebrating this season and want to thank families and residents for their support as we continue to navigate the ever-changing COVID landscape.
On this page, you will find our latest COVID-19 updates, including testing results and status updates. In the Frequently Asked Questions section, you can read about our current measures related to in-person visits, driving and isolation protocols, excursions, dining, etc. This is where you will find links to all upcoming and past Town Hall Webinars, and we invite you to read a letter from our Interim CEO, Camille Burke.
At Casey’s Pond, our commitment has always been to be a forward-thinking community, evolving with the changing needs of residents. We are dedicated to improving the quality of life for older adults, and are proud to be a neighborhood of Christian Living Communities where aging is honored and celebrated.
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.
Past Updates
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.
View a status update letter from Christian Living Communities-Cappella Living Solutions Interim CEO Camille Burke here:
June 17, 2020
Dear Residents, Team Members, Families, Supporters and Friends:
We have collectively traveled a long road together as our world navigates the COVID-19 pandemic. From efforts in early March of preparing, implementing, and ensuring communication of our undeterred commitment to the health and welfare of everyone who lives and works in our communities; to now, navigating our “new normal” of continuing virus mitigation and restrictions; we have made every decision with our mission in mind, of dignity, love, respect, and compassion for each individual.
The decisions that had to be made were difficult. Living within the required restrictions has been, at times, heart-breaking for everyone. Our continued commitment is to do all that we can for everyone’s health and well-being; this includes efforts to promote mental and emotional health.
For the last four weeks, our team has been working to balance health and happiness. An organizational leadership committee, which includes residents, has worked towards finding creative ways to adhere to required restriction yet allow for more personal connections and personal freedoms for older adults.
We are now entering another phase, where each community will determine how and when protocols and procedures will change for them based on their county and state directives. As we have all seen, across the nation, the decisions are shifting from federal directives to local control. That is the same for all 23 communities in our CLC-Cappella family. Our leadership will continue to guide and support all community teams in navigating the ever-changing government and oversight directives as well as resident and family desires.
The journey will continue as we know that the COVID-19 virus will be with all of us for some time. Every day we will work hard with residents, families, and associates in mind, asking what we can do and how we can do it better. We will not stop asking those questions, and we will not stop until this journey is done.
