July 21, 2020
Dear Families,
I’d like to start by thanking you for your ongoing patience during this difficult time. I know you are anxious to visit your loved one and we as an Organization can’t wait to be able to open visitation at the Communities. I’m sure you’re all aware that the New York State Department of Health recently issued extensive guidelines and criteria that each Community must meet in order to reopen visitation. Unfortunately, we do not meet all of the criteria to open at this time.
Please know that all criteria that is within our control have been met. There are certain criteria involving positive cases (asymptomatic or not/resident or employee); even if only (1) case in the community, that prohibits us from opening up any type of visitation (even outdoor). A few of you have expressed your frustration and we absolutely understand and are not unsympathetic to your frustration.
I feel compelled to reiterate that we have no control over the mandates and what has been put in place by our governing body (NYS Department of Health), under the direction of the Governor of New York. Please keep this in mind when communicating with our staff as they cannot change that which has been mandated. To the absolute best of our ability, every measure possible and within our control has been taken in each Community to keep COVID out and keep our residents and staff safe. With this being said, this is a virus that we are still learning so much about and even in the best of communities and when taking every precaution possible, there could still be a resident and/or employee that tests positive for the virus. Our staff continues to get tested weekly and we have seen a significant decline in cases. Again, it only takes (1) positive case in any community and we are not eligible to reopen visitation at that particular community.
Please continue to reach out to our staff to contact your loved ones via FaceTime or Skype. Packages, letters and pictures are also a great means of staying in touch with your loved ones and we’re happy to accept and deliver on your behalf. We will continue to update you with any changes and you should reach out to The Executive Director at your specific community if you have any questions.
May 20, 2020
Dear Families,
It’s hard to believe May is half over. Today’s notification is to provide extra reassurance to you that we are actively and diligently following the Department of Health’s guidance on employee testing for COVID-19. As I’m sure you’ve seen in the news, the general public is testing at much higher rates than any Healthcare professional. That’s good news for you, us, and the individuals that matter most, our residents! That tells us that the proper use of PPE and aggressive cleaning measures are working to keep our residents and employees safe from COVID-19.
In my previous email, I stressed the importance of ongoing communication. I can’t reiterate enough how important it is to me and our entire organization that we maintain the transparency you need to stay well informed. I, along with the Case Manager and Wellness Director, remain available to you seven days a week to answer any questions or concerns you might have. We know many of you are concerned about isolation and loneliness, but our staff continues to provide entertainment and socialization to your loved ones while they remain in their rooms. Please also be advised that our Recreation Staff has regular daily activities set up that allow the residents to get outside and walk (with a mask on of course) either alone or with a staff escort. Our psychological services are available to the residents through Tele-health, yet just another means to help our residents through this difficult time.
I, as well with all of the other Executive Directors, have daily calls with our Regional Team to discuss new information, revisions needed to existing policies and procedures, and plans for the week and weeks ahead as we move towards our new “re-opening.” We are reviewing current policies and making revisions where necessary, especially as they relate to appropriate social distancing, in order to keep our residents safe when we finally get word that we can begin to socialize again.
Our Recreation Staff continues to think of active ways to engage our residents. Next week we have a “face mask challenge” planned and residents will be creating their own masterpiece! See our Facebook page for more details. Our staff continues to think of creative ideas to keep the residents engaged and communicating with us about how they are feeling. Nothing gives our staff more pleasure than hearing from our residents that we’ve made their day! Because the weather has been so nice, our residents that enjoy gardening have been participating in individual gardening classes and planting our very own vegetables and plants. Another activity that is becoming increasingly popular in our community is our “Cart Wars.” Our rolling carts are decorated with a theme to make our residents smile. Can you guess which cart is the favorite? Our rolling Ice Cream Sundae cart!
To close, we are keenly aware of the great concern you have for your loved one, we share that same concern and will continue to work daily to ensure we are doing everything possible to keep them safe. No matter what the situation, awareness on the “bright side” must be kept in the forefront of all of our minds to get through this challenging time. While it’s true we can’t do exactly what we did before, we CAN and will continue to create new ways to connect with our residents and keep them engaged. We are blessed to have staff with a passion for the population we serve and an intrinsic desire to please, no matter how difficult.
Please know that myself and my team are available for questions seven days a week. We remain committed to providing you with a level of customer service beyond any other, and a promise to exceed your expectations.
With sincere thoughts for continued health and well-being,
May 14, 2020
Dear Families,
In accordance with recent Department of Health regulations all employees will now be required to submit to COVID-19 testing two times per week. Please know that we continue to take every precaution possible to protect your loved ones. A resource list for testing has been given to all employees in an attempt to make this as easy as possible for them to obtain, and for us to maintain compliance.
I also want to take this opportunity to again remind all of you that I am here for you at any time to answer any questions or concerns you might have. Things change so much day to day and we realize this must be as unsettling for you as it is for all of us here at the community level. I can’t stress enough that any and all questions are welcome and I will make myself available to you always, at your convenience. Please know that our staff remains actively involved in visiting your loved one daily, not only making sure their essential needs are being met, but also offering that extra special attention they so need and deserve at this time. Our Recreation Staff specifically is constantly thinking of new and creative ways to keep all residents engaged and active during this difficult time.
Many of you have asked about family visitation. Unfortunately we have not received any updated correspondence from Department of Health, but we continue to reach out on your behalf to voice the very real concerns some of you have expressed to us.
Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
April 27, 2020
Dear Families,
In line with recent suggested guidelines for family notification from the New York State Department of Health, the purpose of this correspondence is to ensure you are aware that your community management, specifically The Executive Director and/or Case Manager, are available to give you any updated information you might desire regarding COVID-19 cases, possible related deaths and all other relevant information.
As an organization, we want to maintain the same transparency established since the start of this unfortunate occurrence, but feel it would be highly insensitive to transmit delicate information via email. Therefore, we have created this alternate system of communication to keep you updated and informed. Therefore, if you have any questions related to COVID-19 cases or any other relevant information, feel free to call the community your loved one resides in for specific details. As always, our staff can’t share resident specific information, but can provide you with overall number of cases, etc. Please know that if your loved one tests positive, or resides in a room with another resident who has tested positive for COVID-19, you will absolutely be made aware of this via telephone by community staff and will not have to call to obtain this information on your own.
As always, our everyday goal is to continue to provide a quality of life in our communities that your loved ones would not be able to achieve in their own homes. The COVID-19 Pandemic has certainly hit us unexpectedly, but it will not break us. The passion and love we put into the well-being of all our residents will ensure us overcoming these trying times.
If you have any thoughts, concerns or comments you’d like to share please do not hesitate to reach out. Also, if you’d like to get a message to our staff, send us an email. Your feedback is more than welcome, keeps staff motivated and is greatly appreciated.
April 20, 2020
We hope you and your families are doing well and staying healthy. We are continuing our strict adherence to the CDC and Department of Health guidelines for protecting our residents and team members. According to the guidelines, we will continue to restrict visitors until further notice. These are unchartered waters for us and our residents but we are continually creating new ways to keep our residents engaged and well during this challenging time. Using our new TV channel and technology to communicate and stay in touch with family outside, as well as personal visits with staff daily are helping. We understand this is a very challenging time being separated from family members and loved ones. We encourage you to send letters, phone calls, set up appointments to facetime, leave messages on our website; the residents look forward to hearing from you.
We are very sensitive to respecting our residents’ privacy and will not disclose any information about individual medical status to anyone other than a family member. The Executive Director at each community is in touch with family members of our residents, keeping them apprised of their family member’s well being and answering questions, maintaining full transparency.
The outpouring kind messages for our team members and residents have been overwhelming and are very much appreciated. Thank you to the many who have reached out to show your appreciation for what we are doing to keep your loved one safe. It remains our top priority.
We wish you and your families good health and happiness and we hope to see you soon.
March 21, 2020
As this unprecedented situation surrounding COVID-19 continues to evolve, I feel it is important for us to keep you well informed on what we are doing to keep your loved one safe.
In line with recent developments and new information available; as well as the feedback we have received from you, we have made the very difficult decision to ask that all of our residents remain in their rooms at all times. This is not a decision we have made lightly, but one we feel will give us all peace of mind that our residents are being protected from any potential exposure to COVID-19.
Communal dining and recreational activities will be suspended for at least the next two weeks. That being said, all meals will be delivered to each resident’s room three times daily and snacks will be provided upon request. Our Recreation Department will be coming up with games, contests and other activities that our residents can participate in from their rooms as a means of keeping them engaged. We will be providing daily updates to all of our residents and will continue to provide information and education as it relates to COVID-19.
A representative from your specific Community will be reaching out to you; if they have not already done so, to answer any additional questions you may have or discuss specific concerns relating to your loved one.
Thank you for your patience, cooperation and support as we implement these new procedures.
Be well and stay safe!
March 14, 2020
The New York State Department of Health has just informed us that effective immediately all visitation except when medically necessary has been suspended at all Adult Care Facilities in New York State.
In addition to suspending visitation at all of our Communities, we will be implementing health checks on all staff; regardless of whether they are providing direct care or not. The health checks will be done daily and at the beginning of their shift. Any staff member with a temperature greater than 100.0 F will be sent home. Any staff member exhibiting signs or symptoms of respiratory illness will also be sent home.
Please know that maintaining the health and well-being of our residents and staff is paramount to us. The measures we are taking in conjunction with the State and Local County Health Departments is what is deemed necessary to minimize the potential of transmitting COVID-19 throughout our Communities.
I know this is an incredibly unsettling time for us all. We are encouraging everyone to communicate via phone calls, facetime, skype, text and email. We will assist your loved ones in staying in communication with you however possible.
If you have any additional questions or concerns please feel free to contact the Executive Director, Case Manager or Wellness Director at your Community.
Thank you in advance for your cooperation, patience and understanding as we navigate these challenging times together.
March 13, 2020
At The Arbors, the health, safety and well-being of our residents, employees and families is always our number one priority. We understand the Coronavirus (COVID-19) has people feeling very unsettled and uncertain and we want to keep you informed of what we are doing to address your concerns.
Some of the actions we are addressing include:
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- Daily updates and communication with our residents and employees.
- Precautions recommended by The CDC and The Department of Health are in full effect.
- Questionnaire forms are being given to all visitors who wish to enter the community. Any visitor deemed a risk is being asked to refrain from visiting at this time.
- Hand sanitizers and anti-bacterial wipes are readily available throughout the communities.
- The daily cleaning rituals that have always been in place continue to be carried out with diligence.
- We’ve restricted all groups coming into the community and stopped all outside trips until further notice. Please be assured we have multiple activities for our residents in the community. They will not be disappointed!
As always our residents will continue to be our first priority and we will take all efforts necessary to continue to ensure their safety on a daily basis.
If you have questions or concerns please contact the Executive Director at the specific community listed below:
The Arbors at Westbury Executive Director: Howard Foster 516-333-6400
The Arbors at Bohemia Executive Director: John Giordano 631-567-3113
The Arbors at Islandia West Executive Director: Allison Menze 631-582-3600
The Arbors at Islandia East Executive Director: Debra La Rosa 631-232-3131
The Arbors at Hauppauge Executive Director: Jaqueline Osborne 631-582-3334