Dear Residents, Families, and Associates of First Colonial Inn,
This past week we conducted our first round of ongoing bi-weekly surveillance testing of 25% of the FCI associates and employees of Silver Strands Salon and Genesis Rehab. We anticipate receiving results early next week. This ongoing surveillance testing will allow us to keep a “pulse” on any potential COVID-19 activity in the FCI community. If at any point we receive a positive result we will conduct a thorough review to determine if there is a need for wider testing. We greatly appreciate our residents’ and associates’ efforts in maintaining the safety protocols and practices as it attributes to the fact that our residents have remained COVID-free and we have had no new active cases among associates this week.
Each week we review our protocols and practices with our support team at Kisco Senior Living to determine what is working best and how we can do things differently in safe manners. The safety, health and well-being of our residents and associates will remain a priority, therefore we do not anticipate changing our shelter in place protocol for those residents who leave the community on their own, nor do we anticipate allowing non-essential visitors to enter into the community in the near future. We do, however, have plans to enhance and relocate the Visit Station to a different area in the middle courtyard which will allow for less background noise and a more comfortable setting for residents and families to enjoy visits with each other. This will also allow us to free up the patio located off the Dining Room so that we can make plans to offer an alfresco dining option. David is currently working with our landscaping vendor as we will need to relocate the inner courtyard “dog station” to the other side and add additional safe walking paths. I will keep you posted on the progress as we work through this transition.
With many residents now coming out of their apartments more and enjoying small group programs we have decided to reopen the resident mailboxes as of Monday, 8/31. If you need a mailbox key, please just let the Front Desk know so that we can make a copy for you. In addition, we will return to conducting the Independent Living daily temperature checks at the Health Screener table located in the Lobby. Beginning Monday, we ask that you come down for your screening between the hours of 10a-4p. Assisted Living resident temperature screenings will continue to be conducted door to door by the Assisted Living associates. And we have heard from many residents as to how you have appreciated the door to door happy hours, but you really miss being with each other. So, Brian and the Dining team are making plans to begin hosting “Wine Down Wednesdays” in the back courtyard beginning in mid-September. We hope to accompany these Happy Hours with live entertainment—more details coming soon! We appreciate your support and understanding as we navigate through the uncharted waters of this pandemic together. While these are small steps, they represent progress in our efforts to make life at FCI as enjoyable as possible! Below are details of other upcoming programs along with some of the “bright spots” of our week.
- The entertaining sounds of Lyle and Linda had residents tapping their toes this week as part of our outdoor Summer Concert Series. Juleah has been rotating the invites to 50 residents at a time so all may have a chance to attend as this has been a popular event. We look forward to our next concert tomorrow with the enjoyable sounds of Fond Memories!
- Talk Thursdays will begin on 9/3, and I look forward to hosting our first meeting. The department head leaders and I will rotate as hosts. These meetings will be a small-group version of our resident update and roundtable meetings hosted by myself and the leadership team. While we have to limit the size of the group, we will be videotaping them and then airing it on Channel 1960 for all residents to view. We also anticipated beginning Menu Mondays this week, but we realized that what was of more importance at this time is to gain further feedback from the recent Resident Satisfaction Survey in regard to the Dining Experience. Therefore, Dana and I have scheduled two Focus Groups to allow for us gain this feedback. A separate flyer was distributed to all residents this week with the details. If you need an additional copy, please just let the Front Desk know so we can get one to you.
- We had two parades this week at FCI! The families and friends of Paula Levy and Joan Carter surprised each of them with birthday drive-by parades this week. Happy tears, decorated cars and lots of honking brightened their days!
- “Spirit Days” brightened up the community once again this week! As you will see in some of the pictures, we shone bright in red (the color of love, pioneering spirit, energy, and motivation) this week. The associates also surprised the residents yesterday by dressing up as superheroes. We certainly shared plenty of laughs together!
Thank you for the continued support of FCI as we navigate this pandemic together. Our continued positive thoughts and prayers for everyone’s good health are with each of you. Please let me know if you have any concerns or questions. We appreciate your questions, feedback, and support. Sincerely,
Chrissy Driscoll
Executive Director