Dear Residents, Families, and Associates of First Colonial Inn,
Thank you for your continued support and understanding as we monitor the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. As we move into week two of Phase Two of the Governor’s Forward Virginia Safer at Home plan, we remain committed to adjusting and adapting to new ways as we move together thru this challenging time. I’m happy to share that since early April we have remained Covid-free at FCI, and in being so it allows us to continue to introduce more programs and reopen areas, such as the gym and laundry rooms, as detailed further below.
Moving Forward
While we move forward, we do so with safety at the forefront per the guidance put forth to us by the Governor, the CDC and our health department. While we know that the requirements aren’t easy, it is our responsibility to follow the guidelines put forth to us. As a continued reminder, for us to stay as safe as possible we do ask for your help and adherence to the following:
- We need all residents to continue to wear their masks when outside the apartment. The mask must always cover your nose and mouth. If you need a new mask, please let us know and we will deliver it to your apartment.
- Residents should wash their hands before leaving the apartment and when they return.
- Residents are asked to practice safe social distancing and to not congregate in groups. As a reminder there are “X” spots taped off in the breezeway and in the courtyard seating areas to indicate the proper distancing if residents choose to utilize their walkers as seats.
- We ask that all residents practice the Safer at Home method as our resident population is the most vulnerable to the horrible effects of this virus. Residents that leave the community for any reason, unassisted from our transportation, will still be instructed to self-isolate in their apartments for a 14-day period. It is important to note that these residents will not be able to utilize the beautician services, the Visit Station, laundry rooms, gym or any group programs during their self-isolation period.
- The visit protocols remain the same and are limited to essential visitors only. Family members and friends of residents are asked to utilize the Visit Station and/or a virtual visit to ensure safe measures are in place. In the next couple of weeks we will begin utilizing a new electronic sign in/sign out system, Accushield, for all residents, associates and essential visitors. This system will allow for more consistency in adherence to our sign in/out protocol and more streamlined and secure recordkeeping. In addition, it will assist us with temperature screening and in ensuring all Covid-19 screening questions (of associates and essential visitors) are reviewed and answered accurately at each and every sign in.
- Family members are asked to practice safe social distancing and to wear masks when coming to the community to drop off items and/or to utilize the Visit Station. Our front entrance, where the drop-off table is located, is our sole point of entry and exit. It is important that this area remain as clear and safe as possible. We ask people to not linger in this area and to ensure a mask is worn.
We thank you for your understanding with the protocols and for taking these steps with us
While it may not seem fast enough for some, we do remain in uncharted waters and working together has allowed us to continue to move forward while remaining healthy.
Below are some of the “bright spots” from this past week, along with further information regarding the use of the laundry rooms and gym and additional upcoming programs I hope you enjoy the details below:
- We’ve been able to expand our Visit Station hours to allow more people to enjoy. The Visit Station will be open daily from 9a-6:30p except for on Wednesday. Wednesday visits begin at 11am due to our weekly generator test. We ask that visits be kept to 20 minutes and we will only allow 2 family members (max) at the Visit Station. Just a reminder that we also have Google Duo and Zoom set up as an option for families and residents to have “face to face” virtual visits. We have tablets set up that we can drop off to residents to use for 30-minute increments between 1p-6p each day. To sign up for either the Visit Station or a virtual visit please call or email the front desk team at 757-428-2884 or reception@kiscosl.com.
- The laundry rooms located in Independent Living will reopen on Thursday, June 18 for resident use. We have heard from a lot of residents as to how much they miss doing their own laundry! For us to ensure social distancing is maintained and proper sanitization continues we will be requiring residents to sign up for a time slot ahead of time. The time slots will be available from 7a-7p and will rotate every two hours. To allow for all residents to have a time slot opportunity we ask that residents limit their sign up to 1x per week. The initial sign-up sheets will be posted on each laundry room door by the end of day tomorrow. We will continue to provide personal laundry services for those Independent Living residents who have selected the Diamond service package plan and for all Assisted Living residents. In addition, residents will have the option to utilize the At Your Service a la carte laundry service at $15 per load. Arrangements for this service may be made via the front desk. As a reminder, any resident who is required to self-isolate for 14 days due to leaving the community, unassisted from our transportation, will not be allowed to utilize the laundry rooms. These residents may utilize the At Your Service program and/or if a family member will be helping with this task during this time, we can assist the resident in getting their laundry placed at the pick-up table area and returned when completed.
- Bingo is back as of this week and it is as popular as ever! Residents have shared with us as to how much they missed this fun game. And more so the residents have shared how much they have missed getting together with their friends for the fun, so it’s been great to see some “reunions”. In addition to small group programs taking place we are now offering scenic rides. The residents who participated this week enjoyed their outing and are looking forward to more! If you would like to participate in any of the programs our scenic drives, we ask that you sign up via the Front Desk prior to the program to ensure there is a spot available.
- Live music and entertainment will be returning soon to FCI! Juleah, our Wellness Director, is making plans to offer outdoor entertainment in the back courtyard. The patio enhancement project in that area is due to finish around June 24th so be on the lookout for invites to these events later in the month.
- Also coming soon…the reopening of the gym! Juleah just needs a little more time to coordinate schedules to ensure we can provide staffing coverage during the open hours. More details will be provided very soon.
- The Tasty Tuesday special, Steak Diane, was enjoyed by many, but I have a feeling that this upcoming week might be even more popular. Don’t miss out on this week’s special: Seared Scallops with a Rosemary Cream Sauce. Enjoy!
Our continued positive thoughts and prayers for everyone’s good health and well-being during this pandemic situation are with each of you. While we continue to monitor the latest news and guidance, we commit to keeping you informed of any additional changes. Please let me know if you have any concerns or questions. We appreciate all of your questions, feedback and support.
Sincerely,
Chrissy Driscoll
Chrissy Driscoll, Executive Director
757-428-2884 (office) 757-292-0182 (cell) christina.driscoll@kiscosl.com
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/surveillance-and-investigation/novel-coronavirus/