FAQ: the Continuum and COVID-19
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What is the current visitation policy?The Continuum's number one priority is the safety and well-being of our residents, employees, essential medical personnel, families and visitors. Our visitation policy is one that changes as the local and state requirements change. Please continue to monitor our website for regular updates on COVID-19 related information or feel free to contact Lori Jamison for DuBois Nursing Home Information at 814-375-9100 or Caroline Rockwell for DuBois Village Personal Care at 814-375-5483.
The Continuum has a two-part visiting plan. Visiting Plan #1: Visiting with a loved one by family and friends and Visiting Plan #2: Visiting the community as part of a decision making process. Plan #1 includes Virtual Hugs, Virtual Visits / Live Chat, Window Visits and Visiting Booths. Plan #2 includes Virtual Tours through a Community Tour Video, Click to View Virtual Tour and One-on-One Walk Through Tours. For complete details please take a look at our COMMUNITY VISIT GUIDE eBook.
Regular communication with your loved one is so important so we encourage families to take advantage of the Continuum's technological options (i.e. phone, FaceTime, Skype, Zoom) and are happy to assist any way we can. Just reach out to us: online @ duboisccci.com / by phone: DuBois Village 814-375-5483 or DuBois Nursing Home 814-375-9100 / and be sure to 'Like' our DuBois Continuum of Care Community Facebook page.
Yes, with the understanding there are certain limitations and circumstances where safety precautions require some restrictions. We have educated our residents to wear a mask, practice social distancing (6 feet), use appropriate hand washing, and have an awareness of touching surfaces. We will continue to offer activities as much as possible making sure we are maintaining a safe environment.
Yes, but they are being done a little bit differently for now. We offer Virtual Tours through a Community Tour Video, Click to View Virtual Tour and One-on-One Walk Through Tours. For complete details please take a look at our COMMUNITY VISIT GUIDE eBook.
Is the Continuum accepting new move-ins?
Yes. Our mission, from the very beginning, has been to provide premier health and living services based on the needs of our region and that continues to be our commitment even during this time. New residents will go through an assessment process along with the same procedures and screenings that our current residents do to enter our campus. As an additional precaution, we do ask all new residents to self-isolate in their personal residence.
Yes. The Continuum requires all new residents to be COVID-19 tested prior to admission. Tests can be done by the residents choice by contacting their primary care physician and schedule a test through their doctor's office or they can be tested by our Director of Wellness or Director of Nursing. A negative result must be reported prior to admission.
Yes. But this is an ever-evolving challenge. We know as a community we have to meet our employees needs so that they are able to meet our resident's needs. Staying on top of life's events such as school closings, day care, personal family constraints and so on, we are doing what we can in anticipation of these events, as they occur, if they occur.
As our nation, commonwealth and local Community continue to weather the Corona Virus Pandemic, we believe it is extremely important that accurate communication occur. We are doing what we can to limit the spread of COVID-19 within the facility. We are taking steps based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the local and state Health Departments and Emergency Management Agencies to reduce the spread and impact of COVID-19. For complete details please refer to OUR COVID RESPONSE eBook.
All Residents are strongly discouraged from leaving the Continuum, due to the high risk concerns reported by local and state Health Departments, unless they have a medical need or medical appointment. However, if a Resident chooses to leave the campus they will be screened prior to returning and will be required to quarantine upon return.
What if COVID-19 is reported at the Continuum?
If there is a case of COVID-19 within our Continuum campus, we will notify family and residents first, typically within 24 hours. We will then report those cases on our CMS Family Notification letter on our website.
What is the Continuum doing to help prevent employees from bringing in the virus?
All DuBois Continuum of Care Community employees and essential medical personnel are being screened each day prior to entry. Additionally, all employees are wearing masks during their entire shift. Employees are educated on CDC (the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) guidelines and infection control practices to avoid exposure to COVID-19.
How is the Continuum monitoring residents for signs of COVID-19?
Each and every resident is monitored daily for signs, symptoms and temperature.
Can medical health care professionals visit residents at the Continuum?
Yes, they will be screened prior to admittance to DuBois Nursing Home and DuBois Village Personal Care buildings. All essential medical personnel must meet our infection control requirements including wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Can my loved one keep their regular medical appointments?
The DOW (Director of Wellness) and DON (Director of Nursing) along with the care staff will discuss and coordinate with the resident, family and provider, to determine if the visit is essential or can be delayed temporarily or rescheduled. Appointments can also be done through Telehealth, Zoom or other virtual op-tions, in accordance to the direction of the provider's office.
Is my loved one able to receive supplies and care packages?
Items received from the outside are to be delivered the main entrances of DuBois Nursing Home or DuBois Village Personal Care and clearly labeled with the resident's name. As far as supplies, each building on our Continuum campus has a designated employee who makes a weekly shopping trip to purchase items requested by residents or their family members.
What about my loved one's medications? If I am currently setting up medications for my loved one may I continue to do so?
At the Continuum, there are medication administering options depending on the level of care. Village View Independent Living residents take care of their own medications, although Village View employees can provide medication reminders as needed and as requested. For DuBois Village Personal Care, residents are given the option to self-administer (must be approved through the resident's Primary Care Physician) or the care staff administer the medications. For DuBois Nursing Home, all residents are administered their medications by the trained care and nursing staff. Both levels of care have their own in-house pharmacy so medications can be delivered quickly and efficiently when needed.
Does the Continuum have the supplies to support my loved one's needs during this time?
Yes. The Continuum has longstanding relationships with a multitude of vendors to continue to meet the needs of our residents. We have procedures in place to ensure the continued supply and delivery of all essential items including food, medical equipment, incontinence products, etc. One designated employee has been given the responsibility to stay on top of the supply and demand of additional PPE needs when they arise.
Is the Continuum using a chemical disinfectant that will kill COVID-19?
Yes. The Continuum refined our long-standing cleaning and housekeeping protocols for infection control specifically to address the Corona Virus, known as COVID-19. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) recommended using ABHR (alcohol based hand rub) with 60-94% alcohol in healthcare settings.
Are Chaplains allowed to visit the Continuum?
The Continuum's visitation requirements have been initiated by required directives provided by the local and state Health Departments. Only personnel deemed essential have been approved for visiting at health care and senior care facilities in our local and state location. Chaplains, Pastors, Priests and other spiritual advisors are given the option to connect with residents and families virtually through the use of FaceTime, Skype and Zoom. Please reach out to the Continuum's leadership if you have questions on how to establish this connection.
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