Latest letter from our Executive Director to Residents, Family, and Friends

26 August 2020

Dear Residents/Families,

As most of you are aware, hurricane Laura is expected to make landfall overnight along the TX/LA border. We have been tracking this storm for some time and feel well prepared to deal with any issues that may come up. Our generators have been tested and topped off. We have pre-stocked food, water and medical supplies; and made staff assignments to ensure continuity of care in every department.

According to the weather service we expect between 1-3 inches of rain with wind gusts that could exceed 50 miles per hour. Our biggest concern at this point is loss of electricity, however that can be somewhat mitigated with our generator capacity. We are also encouraging residents to store additional drinking water as a precaution.

On the COVID front, I am happy to report we currently have no residents in any level of care who are testing positive. Additionally, we are down to one (1) employee who is awaiting a negative test prior to returning to work. Weekly testing continues for Skilled Nursing residents and staff (over a hundred tests per week) and we recently acquired a testing machine of our own through the Center for Medicare/Medicaid services (CMS).

Environmental services is currently testing a UV light cleaning device that may enhance our ability to sterilize potentially infected spaces in a more efficient manner.

We are still requesting that independent living visitation be limited to immediate family and caregivers ONLY. All visitors are subject screening at the front entrance.

2020 has certainly been an interesting year, so adding a hurricane to the mix was no unexpected. Together we can make it though as always.

Sincerely,

Harold Ermshar

Executive Director