New Visitation, Community Life Guidance

On April 27, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services updated guidance for long-term care communities in response to COVID-19 vaccinations. The following key changes have been made:

• Residents and visitors may visit without distancing and masks if alone in the resident’s room and the resident and visitor are fully vaccinated. If the visitor is not vaccinated, they can visit with a fully vaccinated resident alone in the resident’s room without distancing while wearing a well-fitting mask.
• Communal dining and activities may occur without physical distancing if all residents are vaccinated.
• Vaccinated healthcare personnel no longer need to undergo routine testing, but should continue to be tested after exposure, during an outbreak or if experiencing symptoms.

As a community, we continue to follow the guidance mandated for infection control practices related to the mitigation and spread of COVID-19. The Glebe leadership has worked collectively as an organization to review and determine our course of action to help facilitate further independence and a sense of normalcy for our residents, families and team members. Below is an outline addressing the practice for meeting the new guidance in healthcare, assisted living, memory support and independent living.

New Guidance: Resident and visitors may visit without distancing and mask if alone in a resident room and the resident and visitor are fully vaccinated.

If the visitor is not vaccinated, they can visit with a fully vaccinated resident alone in the resident’s room without distancing while wearing a well-fitting source control mask.

• Family members and visitors will be screened at the healthcare receptionist desk prior to any admission into healthcare, assisted living and memory support.
• Screening will consist of temperature check and required screening questions related to COVID-19 exposure.
• Family members and visitors will be provided written guidance related to vaccinated and unvaccinated visitation process prior to entering health care, assisted living and memory support.
• The safest approach, especially if not vaccinated is to maintain a six-foot distance between individuals.
• If the visiting individuals have been fully vaccinated, they may visit in close contact without a mask.
• Hand hygiene should be performed by the resident and the visitors before and after contact.

At this time, we will not limit the number of visitors, however, due to limited space in the healthcare rooms we ask residents and visitors to be mindful of the allowance for any social distancing needed.

New Guidance: Communal dining and activities may occur without physical distancing if all residents are vaccinated.  Note: The CDC indicates that communities should continue to follow the infection prevention and control recommendations for unvaccinated individuals (e.g., quarantine, testing) when caring for fully vaccinated individual with an immunocompromising condition.

The Glebe continues to offer a full range of activities/programing in all levels of care to include day trips, music events, speakers and themed dining events. We understand the importance of residents participating in these activities and the dining rooms and continue to encourage choice by everyone based on their specific interests and needs. 

Because the guidance specifically designates vaccinated versus unvaccinated residents, The Glebe does not want to intentionally segregate residents in our activities and dining venues because of their vaccine status. Our mission is built on an all-inclusive approach and personal choice; therefore, to ensure the safety of all residents and team members, we will continue to wear masks and practice social distancing in our dining rooms and group activities.

New Guidance:  Vaccinated health care personnel no longer need to undergo routine testing, but should continue to be tested after exposure, during an outbreak, or if experiencing symptoms.

Routine Testing of Team Members

Routine testing of unvaccinated team members should be based on the extent of the virus in the community.

Fully vaccinated team members do not have to be routinely tested. Communities should use their county positivity rate in the prior week as the trigger for team member testing frequency.

This new guidance will dramatically reduce the number of tests we will perform and need to track on weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly basis. Beginning Thursday, May 6, we will only test non-vaccinated team members who work in the healthcare area and any team member who has had a direct exposure or symptoms of COVID-19. 

Directors will work closely with the administrator to ensure unvaccinated team members report to the clinic on Thursdays between 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. for testing. The Glebe will continue to offer the vaccine to team members and residents upon request. If you have any questions related to the new testing guidance, please contact Director of Health Services Stephanie Clower.

Independent Living Update

The updated guidance related to fully vaccinated individuals continues to support the allowance of visitors in your apartment/cottage. We do recommend following the CDC recommendations related to masks and social distancing for anyone visiting who is NOT fully vaccinated.

We would also like to reiterate your ability to make personal decisions and choice based on the CDC guidance related to vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. You may choose to sit beside other individuals without a face mask if all individuals are fully vaccinated. We encourage residents to plan appropriately so you may enjoy some much-needed socialization with your friends and family. If you have any questions related to decision-making, please reach out to anyone on the leadership team.