COVID-19 Past Information

Updates Shared with Residents and Families – January 15, 2021

Dear Resident and Family Member,

We shared this information with you a few days ago and want to share it with you one more time:

Morton Pharmacy will be here next week, Thursday, January 21 to administer the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
At this time we do not know which vaccine we will receive. Depending on what vaccine we receive, the second dose will be scheduled for either February 11 or February 18, we will be sure to let you know, once we know.

Consent Forms as well as both Pfizer and Moderna fact sheets are available for you to pick up at the front entrance of Valley VNA. Please take the time to read through both of the fact sheets. The Consent Form must be returned to us by Wednesday, January 20. We need this completed form on file before you receive the vaccine.

COVID-19 Testing
Working within the guidelines and recommendations of the CDC and Department of Health Services, we are reassessing our testing program. There will be no testing during the week of January 18 and we will notify you of the next COVID-19 test date.
Please contact me or Angela Franz if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Theresa Pichelmeyer
President and CEO

 

Updates Shared with Residents and Families-January 8, 2021

I am pleased to welcome Krystal Safranski who has joined the Valley VNA team as our new RN Clinical Consultant in Assisted Living. She comes to us with hospital, clinic, and long-term care experience. She shares that she enjoys connecting with, and getting to know the life stories of our older generation. We are excited to have Krystal on our team and she will have lots to learn about Valley VNA!

Vaccine Readiness Vaccines are beginning to arrive in Wisconsin, however, we do not have a definitive date for Valley VNA.
Current Insurance Cards All residents are eligible for the vaccine and once we have the official consent form we will be contacting you/POA. This is the time of year when you may be changing insurance carriers. If so, please make sure we have the correct insurance cards. The vaccinator organization (Morton’s pharmacy or CVS) will bill the insurance for the administration of the vaccine. There is no charge for the vaccine as the government has paid for this.

We recommend all residents receive the vaccine but are not mandating it. Staff will be receiving the vaccine at the same time.

Testing We are looking to schedule COVID-19 testing every other week with an anticipated start date of Monday, January 18.

Indoor Visits Julie Roh, Volunteer Coordinator, is working on a schedule for indoor visits to begin next week–we’ll keep you posted!

Please contact me or Angela Franz if you have questions.

Sincerely,

Theresa Pichelmeyer, President and CEO

 

 

Updates Shared with Residents and Families: December 18, 2020

We are winding down to Christmas and the end of 2020! Despite all that we have been through this year, remember to count your blessings for what you have and let’s look to 2021 with a renewed sense of possibilities.

Vaccine Readiness   We told you last week that we would be in Phase 1a of the vaccination process. Vaccines are beginning to arrive in Wisconsin, however, we do not have a definitive date for Valley VNA. The latest communication from the Department of Human Services estimates the middle of January for Assisted Living residents and staff. This will be for the first dose of vaccine, and then the second will follow around 28 days after the first.

All residents are eligible for the vaccine and once we have the official consent form we will be contacting you/POA.  This is the time of year when you may be changing insurance carriers; if so, please make sure we have the correct cards.  The vaccinator organization (Morton’s pharmacy of CVS) will bill the insurance for the administration of the vaccine.  There is no charge for the actual vaccine as the government has paid for this. We recommend all residents receive the vaccine but are not mandating it. Staff will be receiving the vaccine at the same time.

Leaving the Valley VNA Campus  If you will leaving the Valley VNA campus for a visit with family, we ask that you please indicate this ahead of time on the sign-out sheet at the front desk. This will help us to better plan our days for meals, meds, etc.

And, for safety measures: Please note that if you do leave the campus, we ask that upon your return:

• Quarantine in your apartment for 10 days
• Mail will be delivered to your apartment during your quarantine period
• We will continue to complete COVID-19 testing on residents in their apartment on Monday mornings

 We know that this is a lot to ask and we thank you for understanding.

Receive 50% Off Your Rent for Two Months We understand that this has been a difficult year for everyone. Perhaps you have a friend who is ready to make the move to enjoy the safety and comfort of the Valley VNA community. When you refer a friend to Valley VNA from January 1 – March 31, 2021 and they agree to call Valley VNA home, you/resident will receive 50% off your/their rent for two months after their move-in.

Merry Christmas and all the best for the new year!

Theresa Pichelmeyer, President and CEO

 

Updates Shared with Residents and Families: December 11, 2020

As indicated in recent news releases we are getting closer to a date when the COVID vaccination will be available. We have heard that we will be in Phase 1a of vaccination which includes an estimated 21 million health-care workers and 3 million residents and staff of nursing homes and other long-term-care facilities across the nation. We don’t know exactly what this looks like yet but we will keep you posted. We have been following closely the CDC and Department of Health updates.

Leaving the Valley VNA Campus
The holidays are here! If you will leaving the Valley VNA campus for a visit with family, we ask that you please indicate this ahead of time on the sign-out sheet at the front desk. This will help us to better plan our days for meals, meds, etc.
And, for safety measures: Please note that if you do leave the campus, we ask that upon your return:

• Quarantine in your apartment for 10 days
• Mail will be delivered to your apartment during your quarantine period
• We will continue to complete COVID-19 testing on residents in their apartment on Monday mornings

We know that this is a lot to ask and we thank you for understanding.

Indoor Visits are going well!
We are using SignUpGenius to manage the visit schedule. If you have questions or concerns in setting up an account, contact Julie Roh at julieroh@valleyvna.org or 920-624-6087 and she will be happy to assist you in scheduling your visit. Julie can be reached Monday-Friday 9:00 am-noon. Messages will be returned promptly.

Your visit could be canceled or delayed based on the current wishes/condition of the resident. We will do our best to notify you ahead of time, but that may not always be possible. In the event of a late cancellation, please contact the Shift Manager at 920-707-0047. Visit availability is based on the current conditions of our community. While we understand the importance of these visits, our top priority is the health and safety of residents.

Scheduled visits may be cancelled at any time if we have any residents or staff who become symptomatic and/or test positive for COVID-19.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me or Angela at 920-727-5544.

Sincerely,

Theresa Pichelmeyer
President and CEO

 

Updates Shared with Residents and Families: December 4, 2020

We are happy to welcome back loved ones (family and friends) to visit residents indoors at Valley VNA!

Since COVID-19 is still present in our communities, it is our main priority to be especially diligent to take all precautions necessary to keep our residents and staff healthy. By carefully adhering to the following guidelines, we believe indoor visits can be safe and beneficial for residents and those who miss seeing them in person.

We will use Signupgenius to manage the visit schedule. If you have questions or concerns in setting up an account, Julie Roh julieroh@valleyvna.org or 920-624-6087 will be happy to assist you in scheduling your visit. Julie can be reached Monday-Friday 9am-noon. Messages will be returned promptly.

•  We will start slowly with a two week visit schedule from Monday-Friday, December 8-22. Visits will begin on Tuesday, December 8, 2020.
• We can accommodate one visit per resident before Christmas. Thank you for your patience as we navigate the scheduling and frequency of visits.
• The scheduling link is being sent to each resident’s first contact on Saturday, December 5, 2020. If you have a large family, we will ask you to coordinate the visits among your family. For independent residents, if we do not have an email on file please have your family contact Julie Roh.
• Up to two guests (age 16+) will be welcome at each visit. Please include the guest name(s) in the comment section when you sign up.
• A face mask will be required for all guests. We also ask that guests maintain six feet social distancing during their visit.
• If anyone in your home is sick or you have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 within the past 14 days, please wait to schedule a visit. Screening questions and temperature check will be taken upon arrival. Temperature must be 100.4 or lower.
• Please refrain from sharing food or drink during your visit. (Dropping off items for your loved one
  is fine!)

Your visit could be canceled or delayed based on the current wishes/condition of the resident. Thank you for being patient with our staff. We will do our best to notify you ahead of time, but that may not always be possible.

In the event of a late cancellation, please contact the Shift Manager at 920-707-0047.

Visit availability is based on the current conditions of our community. While we understand the importance of these visits, our top priority is the health and safety of residents. Scheduled visits may be cancelled at any time if we have any residents or staff who become symptomatic and/or test positive for COVID-19.

We acknowledge that our visitor policy may seem overly cautious and restrictive, however at this time COVID-19 is very active in our community. We are firm in our determination as to what occurs on the Valley VNA campus and we ask that you please comply with these policies. Residents are allowed to leave the Valley VNA campus of their own will and we continue to recommend that you and your family wear a mask and practice social distancing when possible.

COVID-19 Testing
Testing previously scheduled for Monday, December 7, 2020 has been postponed. We are working with a new testing lab and we will keep you posted as our information becomes more definitive.

Sincerely,

Theresa Pichelmeyer
President and CEO

 

Updates Shared with Residents and Families: November 25, 2020

Thank you for allowing Valley VNA to be a part of your life. This has been a year like no other and we are honored to be at your side.

Thanksgiving Day:

•  If you are leaving the building for Thanksgiving, please sign out on the sheet at the front desk.
• There will not be a staff member at the front desk on Thanksgiving. Items being dropped off should be received by Wednesday afternoon.

Thank you, everyone, for helping to stop the spread of the coronavirus! With your help, results of our testing have been moving in the right direction! But, we’re not out of the woods, yet. Please continue to remain vigilant. If we can stay on this trend we can then consider ways to safely visit with friends and family.

COVID-19 Testing

• Assisted Living Residents will be tested next week
  Residents who have tested negative the previous week will be retested.
  Only those who have tested positive will be notified.
• Alex Residents will be tested Monday, November 30 from 9:00-11:00am. Please stay in your apartment during this time and a nurse will come to your apartment for the test.
• If your test is negative, you will receive a memo stating this.
• If your test is positive, a staff member will contact you directly.

We’re sad to see her go. Erin Kaskavitch, RN has accepted a position with another organization. Erin has been a valuable member of the Valley VNA team since 2018 and we wish her the very best in her new position. Erin’s last day at Valley VNA will be December 11.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me or Angela at 920-727-5544.

Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!
Theresa Pichelmeyer, President and CEO

 

Updates Shared with Residents and Families: November 20, 2020

Thanksgiving is here and our natural tendency is to gather together with our loved ones for lazy pumpkin pie filled afternoons and football. However, the reality is, we are in a crisis and gathering with loved ones is not a good idea—for anyone. To prepare for better tomorrows, we (each one of us) must do what we can to stop the spread of the coronavirus. What that means is only going out for essential things, like: medical appointments, picking up prescriptions, or grocery shopping. I know this has been tough. But, please remember that you live in a community based facility and everyone should do their part to create a safe community.

With that said, Independent Residents, if you do choose to go out during the Thanksgiving weekend:

• By Tuesday, please indicate on one of the sign out sheets (at front desk or second floor of Alex) that you will be going out for Thanksgiving.
• Be prepared to quarantine for 14 days upon your return. (You should have enough groceries and medicine for the 14 days.)

Thanksgiving Day Note: There will not be a staff member at the front desk on Thanksgiving. Items being dropped off should be received by Wednesday afternoon.

A few reminders about our protocols at Valley VNA:

• Wear a mask when outside your apartment.
• Right now, it’s not a good idea to drop in another person’s apartment for a visit
• When someone comes back from a hospital stay, they are automatically put on isolation for 14 day as a precaution. If you see an isolation cart outside an apartment, it does not necessarily mean that person has coronavirus.

COVID-19 Testing

Assisted Living Residents will be tested next week

• Residents who have tested negative the previous week will be retested.
• Only those who have tested positive will be notified.

Alex Residents will be tested Monday, November 23 from 9:00-11:00am. Please stay in your apartment during this time and a nurse will come to your apartment for the test.

• If your test is negative, you will receive a memo stating this.
• If your test is positive, a staff member will contact you directly.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me or Angela at 920-727-5544.

Theresa Pichelmeyer, President and CEO

 

October 30, 2020: UPDATES Shared with Residents and Families

Our community, and our state, continues to rank among the highest in the nation for positive COVID-19 cases. Until recently we have been able to keep it out of our facility. We do have residents who have tested positive and we are doing our best to support them through this illness. We also had staff who have tested positive and most have gone through their isolation and have returned to work. This week we have retested any residents who have not tested positive previously and we are doing the same with staff. We hope to have the results over the weekend.

On Monday, November 2 and Tuesday, November 3 we will be testing any of our Alex (Independent and Residential Care Apartment Complex) residents who have agreed to be test for coronavirus. For Independent residents who are not getting tested at Valley VNA, please contact one of our Registered Nurses to let them know, if and when, you have been tested. This is critical so we may  follow proper procedures of isolation while waiting for test results.

As we approach the holidays we are hearing more in the media about the impact of social isolation on the elderly. We have had questions from family members asking about our isolation procedures and what is being done to keep our residents from failing due to emotional and physical isolation. In our current environment we first have to address any clinical needs such as a positive COVID-19 diagnosis and manage the symptoms. This results in what we call individual isolation precautions: the resident must stay in their room (if possible), and all staff wear full PPE when entering the room and remove the PPE before leaving. If you hear that a “court is in isolation” that means there are more individuals who require isolation and we limit any unnecessary activity and travel through the court. Staff are in full PPE at all times in this scenario.

More one-on-one time is being scheduled to meet the emotional needs of our residents. Some activities that we can do on an   individual basis include: visiting with the resident, sitting with them, Namaste in their room, reading to those who enjoy this activity, making sure they have access to any music they may enjoy, and assisting them with prayer. We are not able to bring residents together for group activities at this time, and we are eager for when that will once again be possible, as well as getting back to scheduled visits indoors. We know it’s not the same as a hug, but our Life Enrichment team will help you connect with your loved one by Zoom and FaceTime. 

Contact Joelin Mueller, Life Enrichment Coordinator at 920.727.5544 ext. 1060 or joelinm@valleyvna.org.

We will continue as we have been doing with the following:

• Suspending all visits except for compassionate care
• Limiting activities
• Staggering meals for greater social distancing for those residents who need to eat outside their apartment
• Limiting social contact: Only those who share an apartment should sit together at a table
• Masks: Masks must be worn whenever outside your apartment

We strongly recommend that you reconsider and reschedule any outings other than necessary medical appointments and think of what is best for everyone as you plan your holidays.

Any questions, please be sure to contact us.

Theresa Pichelmeyer, President and CEO

 

 

August 21, 2020: UPDATES Shared with Residents and Families

As we begin to wrap up the lazy days of summer and prepare for autumn, we should keep in mind that this winter we will  have to contend with COVID-19 as well as the flu virus. As in previous years, we will be offering flu vaccinations for each resident. We anticipate the vaccine will be available to us around October—and we will keep you posted. I highly recommend that everyone receive a flu shot this year.

 A Few Things We Are Working On

•  Visits: With the weather changing we are looking at ways to continue visits with family and friends while following Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines to keep everyone safe.
• Dining: We will continue to follow CDC guidelines for safety and not offer communal dining at this time.
•  Evening Rickshaw Rides: Julie Roh, Volunteer Coordinator, is working with volunteers and staff to coordinate rides in the early evening hours.
• Reminder: If you are using Valley VNA services to go to and from appointments, please notify us as soon as you can so staff are able to make these arrangements.

I know there have been many changes over the last several months and just when you get used to something one way, it might change again. We are so grateful for your patience and understanding as we navigate these uncharted waters.

Sincerely,

Theresa Pichelmeyer, President and CEO

 

August 14, 2020: UPDATES Shared with Residents and Families

Caring for Generations

You may have heard me talk about the capital campaign or the campus upgrade project. The name of the campaign is Caring for Generations. And, in a nutshell, the campaign will raise money for improvements, which are:
 Additions to residential and common areas, which include new apartments to meet increased demand
 Renovations to existing areas for increased visibility and safety
 Adapting spaces to changing care needs

The campaign has been years in the making and we have done our homework with a feasibility study, market analysis, and consultations with professionals in transforming senior living communities.

This is a major undertaking and we have assembled a team of eight (volunteers who are VVNA board members, and community members) to help us achieve these goals. The team has been working behind-the-scenes to lay the groundwork, and in the coming weeks there will be a public phase rolled out and will include social media and email.

If you have questions please contact me or Wendy Lloyd, Director of Marketing and Development, who is coordinating the team and the campaign.

• Theresa Pichelmeyer
  theresap@valleyvna.org
  920.727.5555 ext. 2201
• Wendy Lloyd
  wendyl@valleyvna.org
  920.727.5555 ext. 3002

To learn more about the campaign, watch the Caring for Generations video.

The safety, well-being, and quality of life for our residents are the heart of Valley VNA. We are excited about the possibilities ahead of us and hope that your are, too!

Sincerely,

Theresa Pichelmeyer
President and CEO

 

August 6, 2020: UPDATES Shared with Residents and Families

Residents and rickshaws are rolling! Thank you to Julie Roh, our volunteer pilots, and   everyone who worked together to make this happen. The process is working and we are hearing some good things from residents and families. Thank you!

You might see our rickshaws out and about—even without our residents. We are offering the use of them to our community partners: Fox Valley Memory Project, and Memory Care Respite Partners in both Neenah and Oshkosh. We hope more people will be able to take advantage and enjoy the outdoors.

When Picking Up Your Family Member

Please remember to mask up when you arrive at Valley VNA. All staff, residents, and anyone entering the building must wear a mask.

As a reminder, Governor Evers announced on July 30, 2020 the executive order:

“…mandating face coverings indoors or in enclosed spaces, other than when at home. We know that face coverings are an effective tool in fighting COVID-19, and we encourage you to do your part in protecting the health and safety of your fellow Wisconsinites by wearing a face covering and encouraging others to do so.”

“Staying home, limiting interactions, practicing physical distancing, and washing your hands thoroughly are still the most effective ways to stop the spread,” said Dr. Ryan Westergaard, Wisconsin’s Chief Medical Officer and the State Epidemiologist for Communicable Diseases. “But we learn something new about this virus every day. A growing number of scientific studies tell us that face coverings, when used correctly and consistently by a large percentage of the community, are extremely effective for preventing the spread of COVID-19 through respiratory droplets.”

Thank you for working with us to create a safe and healthy environment for everyone.

Theresa Pichelmeyer, President and CEO

 

July 31, 2020: UPDATES Shared with Residents and Families

We are happy to announce the Cycling Without Age program hits the road the week of August 3!

Julie Roh, volunteer coordinator, has spent time with some of our pilots this past week to ensure that everyone is up to speed on additional safety measures to ensure a safe ride for both our residents and volunteer pilots. Overall, the process followed in years past is the same with a few minor changes. One of the changes: the pilot will not have direct contact with our residents, so staff will need to be sure the resident is secure in the rickshaw and ready to go. We have added a clear plexiglass barrier between the pilot and rider, and the pilot will remain seated on the bike while the Resident Assistant assists the resident on and off the rickshaw. We are very excited to get this program rolling so residents can spend more time enjoying the outdoors!

You may have already heard about the recent mandate from Governor Evers. If you would like to read more, the full press release is available at evers.wi.gov.

Governor issues new executive order

July 30, 2020 Today Governor Evers announced a new executive order mandating face coverings indoors or in enclosed spaces, other than when at home. We know that face coverings are an effective tool in fighting COVID-19, and we encourage you to do your part in protecting the health and safety of your fellow Wisconsinites by wearing a face covering and encouraging others to do so.

Over the last month, Wisconsin has seen a surge in cases. This increase in cases cuts across the entire state with a significant majority of counties at high COVID-19 activity levels. Statewide action is necessary to protect the health and well-being of Wisconsinites.

Please know we continue to take the necessary precautions against COVID-19 to keep all of us safe and healthy at  Valley VNA.

Thank you for patience, support, and understanding.

Theresa Pichelmeyer, President and CEO

 

July 24, 2020: UPDATES Shared with Residents and Families

We have been trying our best to keep you informed on updates and changes in our county and state regarding COVID-19. It’s a lot of information to take in and it seems to be a moving target. If you can, I encourage you to follow the updates on the Winnebago County Health Department and the Centers for Disease Control web sites so you can stay up-to-date.

On Friday, July 24, Wisconsin Health News reported:

Evers considering mask mandate

Gov. Tony Evers told reporters Thursday that the recent record increases in daily COVID-19 case counts “have accelerated our consideration” of a statewide mask requirement. “The Supreme Court left this a very messy state and created chaos,” Evers said, referring to the court’s action to knock down his reopening plan in May. “Frankly, folks can, right now, put on a mask.”

Five CEO leaders of health systems that are part of AboutHealth – Aspirus, Bellin Health, Gundersen Health System, ProHealth Care and ThedaCare – sent a letter to Evers Wednesday asking for the mandate.

“There is overwhelming scientific proof that wearing face masks reduces the spread of this virus,” they wrote. “To do this most effectively, however, we must all do our part.”

The takeaway from this: We all should continue to wear a mask and take precautionary measures.

A few updates for you:

Rickshaws  We have had several inquiries about Rickshaw rides and when we will be up-and-running. Julie Roh has been working on a process that will provide safety measures for riders as well as our volunteer pilots. For the most part, the Rickshaws are ready to roll and have recently been tuned-up by the pedal pros at Cranked Bike Studio in Neenah! We will keep you posted.

Outdoor Visits  Just to clarify: We have been calling these “family” visits, however, the visits are for family and friends! Some have asked why the visits are 45 minutes. The reasoning behind this is, if all went well with Outdoor Visits, we could schedule another 45 minute visit in the morning and afternoon. We will keep you posted on this as well. Also, a gentle reminder: At this time, pets are not allowed during Outdoor Visits.

As always, thank you for your patience, support, and understanding.

Theresa Pichelmeyer, President and CEO

 

July 17, 2020: UPDATES Shared with Residents and Families

I need to share with all of you the direction that Wisconsin is taking with COVID-19. We are at a critical stage and EVERYONE needs to do their part so we can turn this around. Please read below:

WISCONSIN HEALTH NEWS

July 15: State officials, health experts say Wisconsin at critical point in fight against COVID-19

Wisconsin officials and health experts warned Tuesday that the state is facing a critical juncture in its fight in COVID-19, asking the public to double down on behaviors like staying at home, social distancing and wearing face masks.

Department of Health Services Secretary-designee Andrea Palm told reporters there’s “significant community spread” of the virus in the state. She said Wisconsin has a “window of opportunity” to avoid the surges seen in other states that are straining healthcare systems. “If we wait until we are in that situation, we will have waited too long,” she said. “Now really is the time to double down on our work together.”

Please continue to protect yourself—and others—when you are in public. Think twice about the activities you are participating in and if it is worth the risk. I want all of you to be safe and healthy—for yourself, your family, our residents, and all of us who are here together at Valley VNA every day.

Quality Visits As we continue to schedule outdoor visits, and look for ways to add additional visiting times, please consider what time is best to visit with your loved one. Is the morning or afternoon a more appropriate time to have a quality visit? If you’re not sure, our staff can help you determine what might be best.

This has been a long road and we still have a journey ahead of us. It has been an incredible learning experience and we will continue to do our best to provide a safe and healthy home for our residents, and a safe work environment for our staff.

As always, thank you for your patience, support, and understanding.

Theresa Pichelmeyer, President and CEO

 

July 17, 2020: UPDATES Shared with Residents and Families

I need to share with all of you the direction that Wisconsin is taking with COVID-19. We are at a critical stage and EVERYONE needs to do their part so we can turn this around. Please read below:

WISCONSIN HEALTH NEWS

July 15: State officials, health experts say Wisconsin at critical point in fight against COVID-19

Wisconsin officials and health experts warned Tuesday that the state is facing a critical juncture in its fight in COVID-19, asking the public to double down on behaviors like staying at home, social distancing and wearing face masks.

Department of Health Services Secretary-designee Andrea Palm told reporters there’s “significant community spread” of the virus in the state. She said Wisconsin has a “window of opportunity” to avoid the surges seen in other states that are straining healthcare systems. “If we wait until we are in that situation, we will have waited too long,” she said. “Now really is the time to double down on our work together.”

Please continue to protect yourself—and others—when you are in public. Think twice about the activities you are participating in and if it is worth the risk. I want all of you to be safe and healthy—for yourself, your family, our residents, and all of us who are here together at Valley VNA every day.

Quality Visits As we continue to schedule outdoor visits, and look for ways to add additional visiting times, please consider what time is best to visit with your loved one. Is the morning or afternoon a more appropriate time to have a quality visit? If you’re not sure, our staff can help you determine what might be best.

This has been a long road and we still have a journey ahead of us. It has been an incredible learning experience and we will continue to do our best to provide a safe and healthy home for our residents, and a safe work environment for our staff.

As always, thank you for your patience, support, and understanding.

Theresa Pichelmeyer, President and CEO

 

July 10, 2020: UPDATES Shared with Residents and Families

Thank you to all who participated in Outdoor Family Visits this week! We scheduled 32 visits from Monday through Friday and hope to have the calendar filled in the weeks ahead. We have received a few inquiries about expanding times to include evenings and weekends—and we would love to do this. However, at this time, our staffing does not support    evening and weekend visits. We will continue with the current schedule and consider additional times if possible. Please remember to take precautions against the heat and humidity before and during your visits by staying hydrated, wearing appropriate clothing, and using sunscreen.

As a reminder, below is information on how to schedule your visit:

Julie Roh, Volunteer Coordinator, is helping to schedule and you may contact her with questions at:

julieroh@valleyvna.org or 920.624.6087.

Visits will be Monday-Friday morning from 10:00–10:45 am and afternoon from 1:30–2:15 pm.

Process for scheduled Outdoor Family Visits:

CBRF Residents: Your first contact will receive an email detailing the visitation process and a direct link to the Sign Up Genius calendar. NOTE: We must have an email address on file for the first contact so we can send the sign up link.

Independent Residents: You are responsible to share the information with your family as we do not have primary contacts for everyone. If you want us to send an email out, you will need to provide that information to Marian at the front desk.

• Two guests (age 16+) will be allowed at each visit.
• Each guest will need to be screened and temperature recorded before start of visit
• Each guest is required to wear a face mask the entire visit and maintain 6 foot social distancing during their visit. We have placed a bright green X with tape on the ground with the chairs in place, seating needs to be kept like this to ensure social distancing. Residents should wear a face mask as well.

As always, thank you for your patience, support, and understanding.

Theresa Pichelmeyer, President and CEO

 

July 2, 2020: UPDATES Shared with Residents and Families

Happy Fourth of July weekend!  We are a few days away from beginning outdoor visiting and, again, sharing the process for scheduling. We can’t stress enough the importance of following the procedure for safe visits and we are counting on everyone involved for the success of the program.

Julie Roh, Volunteer Coordinator, is helping to schedule and you may contact her with questions at:

julieroh@valleyvna.org or 920.624.6087.

Outdoor Family Visits will begin July 7

• Visits will be Monday-Friday morning from 10:00–10:45 am and afternoon from 1:30–2:15 pm.

Process for scheduling Outdoor Family Visits:

CBRF Residents: Your first contact will receive an email detailing the visitation process and a direct link to the Sign Up Genius calendar. NOTE: We must have an email address on file for the first contact so we can send the sign up link.

Independent Residents: You are responsible to share the information with your family as we do not have primary contacts for everyone. If you want us to send an email out, you will need to provide that information to Marian at the front desk.

• Two guests (age 16+) will be allowed at each visit.
• Each guest will need to be screened and temperature recorded before start of visit
• Each guest is required to wear a face mask the entire visit and maintain 6 foot social distancing during their visit. We have placed a bright green X with tape on the ground with the chairs in place, seating needs to be kept like this to ensure social distancing. Residents should wear a face mask as well.

As always, thank you for your patience, support, and understanding.

Theresa Pichelmeyer, President and CEO

 

June 26, 2020: UPDATES Shared with Residents and Families

The Department of Health Services (DHS) on Thursday released their Visitation Guidance for Assisted Living Communities. We continue to be guided by their expertise and are now ready to move forward and implement Outdoor Family Visits. We have included the DHS  Safer Visits  recommendations in the program and its success is dependent upon the compliance of all participants: visitors, residents, and staff.

Outdoor Family Visits will begin July 7.

Visits will be Monday-Friday morning from 10:00 am – 10:45 am and afternoon from 1:30 pm – 2:15 pm.

Process for scheduled Outdoor Family Visits:

CBRF Residents: Your first contact will receive an email detailing the visitation process and a direct link to the Sign Up Genius calendar. NOTE: We must have an email address on file for the first contact so we can send the sign up link.

Independent Residents: You are responsible to share the information with your family as we do not have primary contacts for everyone. If you want us to send an email out, you will need to provide that information to Marian at the front desk.

• Each court has its own calendar to help eliminate confusion and keep visits separate per court:

Coral Court visits will be held outside Door 7 (Coral Entrance).

Emerald visits will be held outside Door 5 (Emerald Door).

Amber visits will be held outside Door 3 (Amber Entrance).

Sapphire visits will be held on the patio to the left of the front entrance (outside Angela’s office).

Alex will have two family visit areas in the Alex Courtyard by the statue of St. Frances.

• Two guests (age 16+) will be allowed at each visit.
• Each guest will need to be screened and temperature recorded before start of visit
• Each guest is required to wear a face mask the entire visit and maintain 6 foot social distancing during their visit. We have placed a bright green X with tape on the ground with the chairs in place, seating needs to be kept like this to ensure social distancing. Residents should wear a face mask as well.

Julie Roh, Volunteer Coordinator, is helping to coordinate Outdoor Family Visits. You may contact her at  julieroh@valleyvna.org or 920.624.6087.

Visits are based on several criteria: the prevalence of the virus in the community, Valley VNA continues virus free, the weather, and that all visitors and residents follow the guidelines for safe distancing and wearing of masks. We reserve the right to cancel scheduled visits if it is in the best interest for the health and safety of residents and staff. 

As always, thank you for your patience, support, and understanding.

Theresa Pichelmeyer, President and CEO

 

June 18, 2020: UPDATES Shared with Residents and Families

As we have shared in previous communications, we have developed a process for outdoor visits, while keeping the safety of residents, staff, and visitors in mind. We understand the frustration of not being able to spend time with family and friends and want to implement this as soon as it is safe to do so. However, with the rise in

positive cases of COVID-19 in Winnebago County, and the risk of spreading the virus within our Valley VNA community, we are going to keep the start of outdoor visits on hold.  As we have said, we need to be vigilant for the safety of residents and staff. This isn’t a decision that was made lightly. The Valley VNA Executive Team had a lengthy discussion with the bottom line being: safety.

Valley VNA continues to follow guidelines from the Department of Health Services (DHS) for health and safety. DHS is currently reviewing the guidelines for outdoor visits and we are waiting (quite anxiously) to hear their recommendations. We struggle with knowing the pain that all of this is having on our residents, family, and friends. Please know that we are listening and hear your concerns. As soon as we are able, we will begin scheduling outdoor visits.

This is Father’s Day weekend and a time for family and friends to spend time with one another. I know it’s not the same as a hug, but please consider contacting our Life Enrichment team, they are here to help you connect using FaceTime, Skype, email, or even a phone call.

We have staff who can help make the connection.

Contact:  Joelin Mueller, Life Enrichment Coordinator

920-727-5544 ext 1060

joelinm@valleyvna.org

Thank you for your patience, support, and understanding.

Theresa Pichelmeyer, President and CEO

 

 

June 12, 2020: UPDATES Shared with Residents and Families

As we have shared recently, we are working on a process to support outside visits with residents and family. We understand the anxiety and frustration that both our residents and family members are experiencing for not being able to have the same level of communication and closeness with each other before the shut down. The process we are working on depends on two things: the weather (since the visits are outside only), and the cooperation of the resident and visitors to follow the  process. We will have designated spaces for outside visits that adhere to: the six-foot social distancing guidelines; the requirement to wear, at minimum, a cloth masks during the visit;  and not sharing items such as food or drinks. We feel confident that if these processes are followed, we will reduce the risk to our residents.

Our intent is to share the process with you next week with the goal of starting visits the week of June 22nd. Whether families are picking up residents for appointments, rides, etc.,  please wear a mask along with the resident to provide a additional level of safety and protection. We are aware there have been some family visits on the weekends and evenings which are currently outside of our Centers for Disease Control and Department of Public Health guidelines. We are asking for your patience and to please follow our guidelines and restrictions. There has been a recent increase in COVID-19 cases in Winnebago County and we are watching this closely. And, depending on what occurs in the next week may or may not alter our goal. Safety of our residents (and staff) is our number one priority.

You have entrusted us—and we take your safety and care very seriously.

Michelle will be back in the hair salon starting Monday, June 15.  Salon visits with Michelle will be a bit different from how she used to operate before COVID-19:

• Michelle will screened, have her temperature taken daily, and will wear a cloth mask like all staff members.
• Michelle will be making appointment and share her weekly schedule with shift managers, and managers will share daily salon schedule at shift report.
• Staff will assist residents to and from salon if they need help, as Michelle will not be leaving the salon.
• Michelle will have a walkie-talkie in the salon to notify staff when a resident is ready to be helped back to their room, if necessary.
• Michelle will use the Emerald salon for our residents in the back courts.

As always, thank you for your patience, support, and understanding.

Theresa Pichelmeyer, President and CEO

 

June 5, 2020: UPDATES Shared with Residents and Families

One of our constants throughout the last several months has been the variety of ways that the Life Enrichment team has kept residents busy and engaged. Staying active—physically and mentally, and staying connected with family and friends helps to keep everyone in a healthier place. In fact, staying  connected just got a little easier thanks to a generous donation to purchase iPads!

We have staff who can help make the connection.

Contact:  Joelin Mueller, Life Enrichment Coordinator

920-727-5544 ext 1060

joelinm@valleyvna.org

Each week a calendar of upcoming activities is available so everyone knows what to expect and residents can participate if they wish. The calendar is also available on the Valley VNA website.

From the Eagle’s Nest It’s true, from my office I have a bird’s-eye view of the parking lot and can see those of you who are driving far too fast. For the   safety of everyone, please, please, please slow down!

We mentioned last week that we were working on opening the hair salon as well as looking at ways to accommodate outside visits.

This is where we are at:

Hair Salon We anticipate Michelle returning to the salon in the coming weeks and we encourage residents to use our salon instead on going off-site. Each time someone leaves the Valley VNA campus for outside appointments it  increases the chances of bringing COVID-19 in the building. Michelle will be making the appointments herself, and the exact process for residents and staff will be communicated to you.

Outdoor Visits There will be designated Visiting Areas in each of the courts. Scheduling of visits will be similar to the way that Rickshaw rides are scheduled. Julie Roh will create an online calendar where visitors can sign up for a visiting time. Visits will be scheduled Monday-Friday. Visitors will be screened, need to wear a mask, and only two adult visitors will be allowed per visit. We will share the process with you when we have it finalized.

As we have said, these plans are subject to change.

Again, thank you for your patience and support.

Theresa Pichelmeyer, President and CEO

 

May 29, 2020: UPDATES Shared with Residents and Families

This is our 13th message to you with updates. I know what you are thinking, and I can’t believe it has been this long either. We are going to keep you informed as long as we are fighting this battle.

Wear a Face Mask in Common Areas We couldn’t agree more! Wearing a face mask is not comfortable or  convenient. And, no matter the pattern, it really isn’t a fashion accessory. BUT, it does help stop the spread of COVID-19. We are reminding everyone—staff, residents, and clients: please wear a mask when you are in common areas. Let’s continue to stay healthy and look out for each other!

Essential Visits By limiting the number of places you visit and the number of people you come in to contact with in the community, you decrease the chance of contracting the COVID-19 virus. The threat of the virus is still real. Please consider limiting your visits away from the Valley VNA campus to those that are essential.

U.S. Census We have received a few inquiries regarding the status of the Census. The 2020 Census has been completed and submitted for all residents in both our Assisted Living and Apartments. No additional action is necessary.

A few things we are working on Long-term care facilities such as Valley VNA are operating under the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control,  Department of Public Health, and Bureau of Assisted Living. The safety and  operating recommendations have not changed even though the State of  Wisconsin may be starting to reopen many businesses.

You may be aware that there are several facilities in the area that have reported positive  cases of COVID-19 for staff or residents. These are well-run    organizations which demonstrates how difficult it is to keep residents and staff safe. The reopening of many businesses in the state and local communities makes the risk of spread even greater. That being said, we are looking at areas that may be possible to implement in the near future:

Hair Salon We are currently discussing having Michelle return to the hair salon. We are looking at what that process and timeline might look like.

Outside Visits for Residents and Families We know that residents and their families are anxious to spend time together. We are working on a process that would allow for family visits outdoors while practicing social  distancing. The guiding agencies do not have a formal position on this either way but urge the need for social  distancing and masking if determined to proceed.

Please know that while it is our intent to get these processes underway, we recognize that circumstances may change, and therefore plans are subject to change. Again, thank you for your patience, support, and understanding. We are still in this together.

Theresa Pichelmeyer, President and CEO

 

May 21, 2020: UPDATES Shared with Residents and Families

The grass is green. Flowers are in bloom. Businesses are opening, and people are out and about. It may seem like we are getting back to normal, but we must acknowledge what science tells us: that COVID-19 still remains a threat—especially to you, our residents and clients. Because of this, we will continue to follow the policies and procedures currently in place. You are our top priority, and each decision made is to ensure safety and well-being our residents, clients,  and staff.

We know you want to get outdoors, spend time with family and friends, and we are looking at safe ways for you to visit with your loved ones. As soon as we have this process in place, we will share that information with you.

Thank you for your patience, support, and understanding. We are still in this together.

Theresa Pichelmeyer, President and CEO

 

 

May 14, 2020: UPDATES Shared with Residents and Families

Last year at this time we were planning picnics, scheduling rickshaw rides, and prepping the soil in flower boxes. While we are excited about getting outdoors, and spending time with family and friends, we are still taking precautions to keep everyone safe and healthy.

On May 13, the Safer at Home restrictions were loosened, and people are now moving around more freely in the community. And, many are not wearing masks. We must remember that the threat of COVID-19 is still real and the responsibility to care for, and protect our residents and  clients remains our top priority. At this time our policy  remains the same. We are looking at conditions and  recommendations closely and will communicate any  changes.

Our staff is committed to continue the necessary precautions to protect residents and clients, themselves, and their family.

We are still in this together.

Thank you for your patience, support, and understanding.

Theresa Pichelmeyer, President and CEO

 

May 8, 2020: UPDATES Shared with Residents and Families

We said Happy Spring in our last letter, and, just like that we have a chill in the air. So, I will say it again: Happy Spring!  This week we honored our nurses for National Nurses Week (May 6-12). We can’t thank them—and all nurses—enough for the work they do. Especially now.

As in our last letter, there are no significant changes in how we are observing the Governor’s Safer at Home order and recommendations from the Department of Health Services.

Nutrition Reminder  If you are an independent  resident on the Pick Meal Plan, please remember to let us know what meals you would like. If you are going to be gone during meal time and would like us to place your meal in your refrigerator, please let us know. Or, if you are going to be gone and would like to cancel your meal, please give us a 24-hour notice or you will still be charged.

Thank you for your patience, support, and understanding.

And, for the moms, Happy Mother’s Day!

 

Theresa Pichelmeyer, President and CEO

 

 

May 4, 2020: UPDATES Shared with Residents and Families

There have been no big changes here in how we are observing the  Governor’s Safer at Home order and reco

mmendations from the Department of Health Services. We are watching closely, as all of you are, to learn about the careful and slow roll out of the reopening of the state. Because of our vulnerable population, I don’t anticipate major changes in the near future. Staff continue to engage with our residents as allowed, and with the warmer weather we will be taking  residents into the courtyards and outside for walks when possible. Thank you for your patience and understanding during these stressful and challenging times!

From the Office of Governor Tony Evers Governor Evers  announced on  April 29, 2020 that dozens of organizations, which collectively represent more than one million Wisconsinites, voiced their support for the extension of Safer at Home in briefs filed with the Wisconsin Supreme Court on April 21, 2020. In addition, Wisconsin healthcare organizations representing healthcare providers and professionals throughout the state wrote in strong support of  extending Safer at Home.

Before the Safer at Home order, the number of people testing positive for COVID-19 was doubling  every 3.4 days, a rate similar to Italy and Spain, which have been devastated by COVID-19. With Safer at Home in place, the number of people testing positive for COVID-19 has doubled every 12.4 days. This “bending of the curve” has prevented Wisconsin hospitals from becoming overrun, and the first three weeks of Safer at Home is estimated to have saved at least 300 lives and perhaps as many as 1,400 lives in the fight against COVID-19. Continued adherence to science and advice of health  professionals has the potential to save thousands more in Wisconsin alone.

 

Mother’s Day Family members are invited to schedule a virtual Mother’s Day visit. With the Safer at Home order, and visitation still restricted, we want to assist family members who would like to schedule a time to visit.

Contact Joelin Mueller in Life Enrichment to set up a time to share via Facetime, Skype, Google Duo, or Facebook Messenger.

Joelin Mueller, Life Enrichment Coordinator

920-727-5544 ext. 1060

joelinm@valleyvna.org

If you plan on bringing a gift for a resident, please bring it to the front entrance by the afternoon of Friday, May 8. We do not have staff available to check the front entrance on Sunday. As the weather continues to improve we are hopeful that we will be able to accommodate outside visits. Our team is working on a plan that will safe for everyone.

We would like to wish all the wonderful mothers in our community a Happy Mother’s Day. Again, thank you for all the support for our staff, we are grateful and  appreciate all that you do for us and your loved ones!

 

Theresa Pichelmeyer, President and CEO

 

 

 

April 24, 2020: UPDATES Shared with Residents and Families

Valley VNA Senior Care is concerned for the ongoing welfare, safety, and health of our residents. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is monitoring the outbreak due to a new virus, COVID-19. The people that are most likely to become severely ill from COVID-19 are older adults and those with underlying medical conditions.  Governor Tony Evers has declared a public health emergency due to COVID-19. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared this a pandemic.

 

March 16, 2020: Cancellation Update

We will continue to post updates as these dates may change.

 

March 15, 2020: UPDATE – No Visiting Guidelines

Current guidelines from the Department of Health Services and CDC for Long Term Care facilities recommend NO VISITING except for times of end of life support and visits essential for the emotional well-being of residents. It is also strongly recommended that residents do not leave the facility unless it is a medical emergency or necessity.

Effective March 16, 2020 Valley VNA will be following these guidelines. Decisions for visit exceptions will be made on an individual basis based on the recommendations.

We understand the value of family visits both for the family and the residents and did not make this decision lightly. We will help to facilitate any communication you would like to have through the use of technology, for example: Skype, FaceTime, email, or phone calls. If you would like to bring items for your family member, you may drop them off at the front desk and we will be sure to deliver to the resident.

Each of our staff members continue to follow the CDC’s recommendations to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19. These include strict hand washing procedures, and in many circumstances, wearing a face mask, gown, and gloves when interacting with residents who are sick.

We will continue to monitor the CDC and Department of Health Services and their recommendations.  If there are changes we will provide updates, so check our website frequently.

If you have any questions, please contact Angela Franz, Administrator or Theresa Pichelmeyer, President and CEO.

For the most up to date information on this topic, please visit the CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov/covid19

Thank you for your understanding and patience.

Sincerely,

Theresa Pichelmeyer, President and CEO

 

March 15, 2020: Cancellations

For the health and safety of our residents, staff–and everyone–the following programs and events have been cancelled.

• Job Fair: March 17
• Lyrics and Laughter: Cancelled until further notice
• Volunteer Program activities cancelled until further notice
• Foot Care Clinics at Valley VNA: Cancelled until further notice                                                                                                                                                  

Information for Valley VNA Visitors

Valley VNA Senior Care is concerned for the ongoing welfare, safety, and health of our residents. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is monitoring the outbreak due to a new virus, COVID-19. The people that are most likely to become severely ill from COVID-19 are older adults and those with underlying medical conditions. Governor Tony Evers has declared a public health emergency due to COVID-19. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared this a pandemic.

We do not have any cases locally and are diligently working on preventing the spread of this illness in our facility.

To reduce the potential introduction of this virus into our facility, we are limiting visitation and actively monitoring admissions and all staff entering the facility.

If you will be visiting please follow these guidelines effective March 14, 2020:

• Monday through Friday: All visitors will need to enter the building at the Main Entrance on Lyon Drive from 8:00am until 6:00pm
• Saturday and Sunday: All visitors must arrive between 9:00am and 1:00pm at the Main Entrance.
• You will be asked to sign in, respond to several questions, and have your temperature taken.
• Once you have been screened during the hours listed you may visit as long as you like.
• We request that only immediate family visit and no more than two at a time.
• No one under 18 years may visit.
• No pets are allowed.
• We are recommending that visitors not wear masks.
• Consider if your visit is essential. Visit frequency should be limited to reduce possible introduction of COVID-19.
• We request that residents not leave the building unless medically necessary.
• We encourage the use of technology like Skype and FaceTime, or phone calls to connect with residents.
• Key fobs of residents will remain active and all others will be deactivated until further notice.

We want to ensure that you are kept well-informed of this situation. For your information, we have enclosed a fact sheet from the CDC. For the most up-to-date information on this topic, please visit the CDC website  at https://www.cdc.gov/covid19