5/7/23
Good afternoon,
Today we had two residents test positive for COVID. Per our protocol this is your courtesy notification.
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns,
Sarah Koch, LNHA
3/6/23
Good afternoon,
Today we had one resident test positive for COVID and one staff member over the weekend test positive for COVID. Per our protocol this is your courtesy notification.
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns,
Sarah Koch, LNHA
3/1/2023
Good afternoon,
Cuyahoga county continues to be a red county. The Welsh Home currently has 11 residents and 4 staff members who have active restrictions due to COVID. This is your courtesy notification.
Please let me know if you have any questions,
Sarah Koch, LNHA
2/27/23
Good afternoon,
Cuyahoga county is now a red county again. The Welsh Home currently has 10 residents and 4 staff members who have tested positive for COVID. This is your courtesy notification.
Please let me know if you have any questions,
Sarah Koch, LNHA
2/24/23
Today we had one resident new test positive for COVID. Per our protocol this is your courtesy notification.
Sarah Koch, LNHA
2/23/23
Good afternoon,
Over the last 24 hours we had three residents test positive for COVID. Cuyahoga county had returned to being an orange county according to the CDC but we are still requesting that everyone wear a mask until the outbreak has subsided. Please be responsible mask wearers and conscientious that if you are not feeling well to please delay your visit.
Per our protocol this is your courtesy notification.
Thank you,
Sarah Koch, LNHA
2/21/23
Good afternoon,
Over the past couple of days we had three residents and one staff member test positive for COVID. Cuyahoga county had returned to being an orange county according to the CDC but we are still requesting that everyone wear a mask until the outbreak has subsided. Please be responsible mask wearers and conscientious that if you are not feeling well to please delay your visit.
Thank you,
Sarah Koch, LNHA
2/17/23
Yesterday we had one resident test positive for COVID. Per our protocol this is your courtesy notification.
Sarah Koch, LNHA
2/14/23
Good afternoon,
Today we had two residents and one staff member test positive for COVID. Cuyahoga county had been orange according to the CDC map for the last couple of weeks, as of today Cuyahoga County is Red again. Please be responsible mask wearers and conscientious that if you are not feeling well to please delay your visit.
Thank you,
Sarah Koch, LNHA
2/6/23
Good afternoon,
Today we had one staff member test positive. To be extra cautious we test all residents potentially exposed and they were all negative.
Sarah Koch, LNHA
2/1/23
Good afternoon,
Today we had 1 staff member test positive for COVID. Per our protocol this is your courtesy notification.
Please let me know if you have any questions,
Sarah Koch, LNHA
1/2/23
Yesterday we had one resident test positive for COVID. Per our protocol this is your courtesy notification.
Sarah Koch, LNHA
12/30/22
Today we had one resident test positive for COVID. Per our protocol this is your courtesy notification.
Please have a happy and healthy New Years.
Sarah Koch, LNHA
12/26/22
Over the weekend we had 3 residents test positive for COVID. We will continue to test all staff and residents through the next two weeks. Per our protocol this is your courtesy notification.
Sarah Koch
11/22/22
Good afternoon,
We had one additional staff member test positive yesterday. We currently have 2 residents still in isolation and 2 staff members out due to COVID.
On a brighter note, I just want to make sure everyone knows about our upcoming Resident and Family Holiday party. This will be held on Tuesday, December 13th from 5:30 to 7:30. Sheryl and her team have some exciting new themes this year and we are looking forward to Santa’s visit! Please RSVP to Sheryl if you and your family are planning to attend with the number of guests.
I hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Sincerely,
Sarah Koch, LNHA
11/10/2022
Good afternoon,
Since my last communication we have had 4 additional staff members and one resident test positive for COVID. We continue our heightened infection control protocols and testing strategies. Please let me know if you have any questions,
Sarah Koch, LNHA
11/8/2022
Good afternoon,
Today we had 1 staff member and 3 residents test positive for COVID. In reporting to ODH (as we have been since March of 2020) we included the following precautions that we have been taking and factors around this most recent outbreak.
Please let me know if you have any questions,
Sarah Koch, LNHA
11/7/2022
Good afternoon,
In the last 24 hours we had 6 staff members test positive for COVID. If you are not feeling well, please delay your visit. We will continue our contact tracing and testing strategies as appropriate.
Sarah Koch, LNHA
11/5/2022
Good afternoon,
In the past 24 hours we had one staff and one resident test positive for COVID. Per our protocol this is our courtesy notification. With the greater community’s rates on the rise we have a tendency to see the same within our community. If you are not feeling well, please delay your visit. We will continue our contact tracing and testing strategies as appropriate.
Sarah Koch, LNHA
11/1/2022
Good afternoon,
We currently have 3 residents and 4 staff members who have tested positive for Covid. If you are not feeling well, please schedule your visit for another time. Also, Cuyahoga County's Covid transmission rate has increased and all staff and visitors need to wear a surgical mask again. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you,
Jonnette Weimer
Social Services
**This message only went to families of residents who were exposed
Good afternoon,
If you are receiving this message your loved one was exposed to one of our staff members who tested positive for COVID. Our new protocol is to test any staff member or resident who was exposed 24 hours after the exposure, 48 hours after that, and a third time, 48 hours following the second test. Essentially days 1, 3 and 5. While visiting we would encourage your loved one, if able, to wear a mask. It is optional for you to wear a mask but if you would like, masks are available for you at the front desk when you check in. Please share with other friends and family.
Please let me know if you have any questions,
Sarah Koch, LNHA
10/5/2022
Good afternoon all,
Great news! Cuyahoga County is now an Orange County on the CDC map for transmission rate. This means masks are not required and are now optional in most circumstances. Please check the sign when you check in for the most up-to-date guidance on if masks are required or optional. If you are feeling under the weather, have had a high risk exposure or are just more comfortable Please ask for one.
Attached is some additional education for your review.
Please let me know if you have any questions,
Sarah Koch, LNHA
9/9/2022
Good afternoon all,
Today we had 2 staff members test positive for COVID. Per our protocol this is our courtesy notification. We will continue our testing protocols.
Sarah Koch, LNHA
9/6/2022
Good afternoon all,
Over the weekend we had one staff member test positive and one resident test positive today. We do not believe they are related. We will continue our testing strategies with all residents and staff.
Sarah Koch, LNHA
8/30/2022
Today we had one resident test positive for COVID. We will continue our testing strategies to catch any concerns going forward.
Sarah Koch, LNHA
8/26/2022
Good afternoon,
Within the last 24 hours we had one staff member and one resident test positive for COVID. This is just your courtesy update. We are continuing to test all staff and residents twice a week. Any questions please let me know.
Thank you,
Sarah Koch, LNHA
8/22/2022
Good afternoon,
We currently have 5 residents who are Covid positive. We will continue testing residents and staff until everyone tests negative for 14 days. Please wear the masks provided in the reception area for the duration of your visit in the facility. Also, if you are not feeling well, please schedule your visit for another time. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you,
Jonnette Weimer
Social Services
8/18/2022
Good Afternoon,
Today we had 2 residents test positive for COVID. We will be testing staff and residents over the next 14 days. This does not affect visitation, but please continue to wear the masks provided and if you aren’t feeling well please schedule your visit for another time. Any questions please let me know.
Thank you,
Jonnette Weimer
Social Services
8/5/2022
Good afternoon,
Today we had one staff member report they tested positive. Because this is an isolated case we are able to contact trace and minimize the impact on our daily routine.
Please let me know if you have any questions,
Sarah Koch, LNHA
7/25/2022
Good afternoon,
We had two additional staff members test positive for COVID. We will continue our testing strategies until all staff and residents test negative for 14 days. Today we tested all residents eligible to be tested and they were all negative. In addition we currently do not have any residents on isolation for COVID.
Please let me know if you have any questions,
Sarah Koch, LNHA
7/18/2022
Good afternoon all,
Over the weekend we had 3 staff members test positive. As I shared in the last email we have staff returning to work but I appreciate your patience as we currently have a total of 6 staff out with COVID. On a VERY happy note we tested all the residents today and they all came back negative. We will continue to test all staff and residents through this week.
Sarah Koch, LNHA
7/15/2022
Good afternoon,
Unfortunately we had two additional staff and two additional residents test positive in the last 24 hours. We’ve been contact tracing each case and there is not one specific source. Since the onset of this outbreak to the time I’m writing this email we have had 1,002 visitors, the holiday and an overall greater community increased positivity rate. We feel that there are several factors to what continues to add to our positive numbers but the good news is that some of our residents and staff are coming out of isolation and returning to work respectively.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Sarah Koch, LNHA
7/12/2022
Good afternoon all,
We unfortunately are experiencing additional staff members and residents that have tested positive for COVID. We are working with the Ohio department of health, contact tracking, testing strategies, increasing our education and infection control efforts. We are asking all of our visitors stay home if you don’t feel well and during your visit please wear your mask and if appropriate your loved one as well. As it has been in the past The Welsh Home seems to mimic increased number of positive cases when the numbers in the greater community are more prevalent. In an effort to maintain transparency I’ve kept this link current since March of 2020 if you ever have any questions about current positivity rate(s) at The Welsh Home. https://welshhome.com/cp/covid-positive-numbers
We appreciate the quick response the clinical staff and medical team has taken to ensure appropriate protocols and attention to these patients needs during this time for our positive patients.
On a different subject. Starting Saturday, July 16th though Tuesday July 19th, weather permitting, we will be sealcoating and restriping the parking lot. You may need to use alternate entrances. We are asking the staff to park at the bank next door, but I know there may be some parking issues so I am asking preemptively for your patience and understanding during this project.
Sarah Koch, LNHA
7/7/2022
Good afternoon,
Today we had one additional staff member and one resident test positive for COVID. We continue to find that the cases are not directly or indirectly related to each other. Amongst all of our infection control protocols we will continue our diligence in testing all residents and staff every 3 to 7 days until we have cleared 14 days without a positive case.
Sarah Koch
7/6/2022
Good afternoon,
In the past 24 hours we had one additional staff member and one resident test positive for COVID. When doing our contact tracing and found that none of the cases are not directly or indirectly related to each other. Amongst all of our infection control protocols we will continue our diligence in testing all residents and staff every 3 to 7 days until we have cleared 14 days without a positive case.
Sarah Koch
6/29/2022
Good afternoon,
In the past 24 hours we had 2 staff members test positive for COVID. For those of you new to The Welsh Home, it’s a requirement to let you know about any positive staff member or resident. At this time we will do contact tracing and will be testing all residents and staff regularly over the next 14 days. This does not affect visitation, but please continue to wear the masks provided and if you aren’t feeling well please schedule your visit another time. Any questions please let me know.
On a fun note we have a outdoor Welsh Language Scavenger Hunt now available for our residents and visitors. The slabs are located through the grounds. Booklets are located at the front desk to help guide the activity for your loved one and your family. Along the way you will also learn about interesting Welsh traditions. Can you find them all?...
Best regards,
Sarah Koch
5/23/2022
Today we had one employee and one resident test positive for Covid-19. We will be continuing to test all residents and staff and following proper infection control procedures. This does not affect visitation, but please continue to wear the masks provided and if you aren’t feeling well please schedule your visit another time.
Please let us know if you have any questions.
Thank you,
Jonnette Weimer
Social Services Designee
The Welsh Home
22199 Center Ridge Road
Rocky River, Ohio 44116
P: 440.331.0420
F: 440.799.4957
www.welshhome.com
5/16/2022
Today, unfortunately, we had 2 residents test positive for COVID. We have enacted setting up our isolation unit and will continue diligent infection control protocols and testing strategies.
Please let me know if you have any questions,
Sarah Koch, LNHA
4/22/22
Good afternoon,
Today we had one employee test positive for Covid-19. At this time we will do contact tracing and next week we will be testing all residents and staff. This does not affect visitation, but please continue to wear the masks provided and if you aren’t feeling well please schedule your visit another time.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you,
Jonnette Weimer
Social Services Designee
The Welsh Home
22199 Center Ridge Road
Rocky River, Ohio 44116
P: 440.331.0420
F: 440.799.4957
www.welshhome.com
3/3/22
Good afternoon all,
I’m happy to report that we have not had any additional staff or residents test positive for COVID. We are continuing to test and are staying vigilant.
Visitation hours. I’m also happy to report that starting this Saturday 3/5 our visiting hours will be from 9:30am to 8:00pm. As always if someone has an end of life situation or if there is a circumstance that visitation needs to happen outside of those hours please just reach out and let us know how we can help accommodate. Please make sure you are screening in before your visit. I would also ask that you continue to avoid visiting during meal times, as this is when the residents who wear masks aren’t wearing masks. If you do visit during a meal time we would ask that you visit in the room.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Sarah Koch, LNHA
2/28/22
Good afternoon all,
Yesterday, unfortunately, we had two residents test positive for COVID. We have enacted setting up an isolation unit and will be testing all residents and staff, at minimum twice a week.
We tested all residents today and everyone else came back negative. So far we have not had any additional staff test positive.
Please let me know if you have any questions,
Sarah Koch, LNHA
2/25/22
Good afternoon all,
Today we had one staff member test positive for COVID. For those of you new to these email updates, it is protocol to inform our residents and families that someone has tested positive. We are enacting contact tracing and testing strategies to see how we proceed. So far everyone that has been tested has come back negative.
This will not affect visitation. I am excited to announce that I will have an update about expanding visitation hours coming next week. More to come!
Have a warm and healthy weekend,
Sarah Koch, LNHA
1/6/2021
Good afternoon,
Today we had two additional staff members test positive. We are continuing our testing strategies and monitoring residents for symptoms twice a day. Please let us know if you think your loved one has been exposed. For example someone visited feeling completely healthy and two days later starts to feel il l and subsequently test positive. We just keep this on file so we can more closely monitor the situation. Please feel free to share this email with your friends and/or family that may visit. As always please stay healthy and safe.
Sincerely,
Sarah Koch, LNHA
1/4/2021
Good afternoon all,
I am happy to let you know that we did not have any residents test positive today. We did have one staff member test positive. On a bright side 6 team members who tested positive in December have returned to work in the last couple of days with an additional 6 more coming back by the end of the week.
Best regards,
Sarah Koch, LNHA
1/3/2021
Good afternoon all,
Today we had 5 staff members test positive. We will be testing all residents tomorrow. I will update you with the outcome of that testing.
If you aren’t feeling well and/or have been exposed please refrain from visiting at this time. Please feel free to share that sentiment with friends and family that might visit.
Sincerely,
Sarah Koch, LNHA
12/31/2021
Good morning all,
The resident PCR results from Wednesday 12/29 came back early this morning and are ALL NEGATIVE! We will continue our protocols to minimize the opportunity for COVID to spread. Thank you again to all of our TEAM members for ALL that they do. EVERY hour, of EVERY day. Please have a safe and healthy New Year!
Sincerely,
Sarah Koch, LNHA
12/30/2021
Good afternoon,
In the last 24 hours we had an additional four staff members test positive. We should receive the results for the residents late tonight/early tomorrow am. We will continue testing residents and staff through next week.
I want to personally thank the Welsh Home TEAM members who are picking up shifts, working long hours, and are dedicated to the care they are able to provide during these (I know I’ve said it before, but I mean it now more than ever) unprecedented times. Going into the holiday weekend we are fully staffed and have each shift covered to meet our desired staffing patterns. Things change quickly and want to reassure you that we have a team both onsite and offsite to support staffing concerns and challenges. While I wouldn’t expect major issues I am asking preemptively for your patience and grace if it’s needed. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Wishing you and your families a safe and healthy New Year!
Sincerely,
Sarah Koch, LNHA
12/29/2021
Good afternoon,
In the last 24 hours we have had an additional 3 staff members test positive. All the staff members that have been positive did not receive it at the Welsh Home. We tested all residents today with PCR test. The PCRs have to go out to the lab and we get the results in 24-48 hours. While we don’t believe we have a concern with the residents having positive test results we are creating a isolation unit in the event we would need to care for positive patients in-house. This is a precautionary measure only at this time, but we would rather be prepared. We will continue our testing strategies and heightened vigilance.
Please stay safe and healthy,
Sarah Koch, LNHA
12/27/2021
Good afternoon,
Today we tested all residents and all staff. All of the residents were negative but we did have three staff members test positive. We will continue our testing strategies and heightened vigilance. We will test all residents and staff again this week.
Stay healthy and safe,
Sarah Koch, LNHA
12/26/2021
Good afternoon all,
In the past 24 hours we had an additional 2 staff members test positive on rapid tests. We have sent out PCRs to confirm the rapid tests. We will continue to test all residents and staff next week to stay vigilant.
Please stay safe and healthy,
Sarah Koch, LNHA
12/23/2021
In the last 24 hours we have had 4 staff members test positive on rapid tests. We will be sending out PCRs to confirm the rapid results. We are still testing all staff twice a week and all staff or residents who display any symptom immediately. We will be testing all residents again on Tuesday and are continuing our due diligence to minimize the opportunity spread. I would ask the same for our visitors. Cuyahoga County is currently 3rd in the NATION for most COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population. Please don’t visit if you’ve been exposed or have any cold like symptoms. Sanitize and wash your hands. Utilize the PPE provided. Minimize contact and keep your mask on even when in the room.
While we can’t, and don’t want to, limit visitation we appreciate your help in making contentious decisions as we move through this holiday season. It is much appreciated,
Sarah Koch, LNHA
12/21/21
Good afternoon all,
This morning we had an additional staff member test positive. We tested all residents today and they were all negative. We will continue testing strategies and have increased our infection control cleaning practices.
As a reminder please share with your friends and family to stay safe and not to visit if they don’t feel well or feel they have been exposed. Wash your hands often, use hand sanitizer as appropriate, and please keep your mask on while visiting.
Moving into Christmas weekend we ask for your increased vigilance to help minimize the opportunity for COVID to get in a spread. Monitor yourself, postpone your visit if needed, and wash and sanitize your hands: https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/pdf/HandSanitizer-p.pdf
Please forward this email to anyone you feel might visit over the next couple of weeks. Much appreciated. Thank you for doing your part in helping stop the spread,
Sarah Koch, LNHA
12/20/201
Good afternoon,
Today we had one staff member test positive.
For reference CDC holiday flyer: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/HolidayTraditions.pdf
Please stay healthy and safe,
Sarah Koch, LNHA
12/17/2021
Good afternoon all,
Today we had one staff member test positive. For those of you that may be newer to the Welsh Home we communicate with all of our residents and families whenever anyone tests positive. In an effort to have continued transparency we keep all of our communication up-to-date here: http://www.welshhome.com/cp/Letter-to-the-families
We are currently testing all staff twice a week. Thursday we tested all staff and residents and everyone was negative. We will continue to utilize contact tracing and testing strategies to minimize the opportunity for COVID to spread.
Best regards,
Sarah Koch, LNHA
12/6/2021
Good afternoon all,
Yesterday we had one staff member test positive. This does not affect visitation but I would kindly remind everyone to please continue to wear the provided and if you aren’t feeling well please don’t visit. If you have not provided a copy of your vaccination card please do so when checking in. We continue to test all residents and staff twice a week.
For your review from Ohio Department of Health:
Sarah Koch, LNHA
12/3/2021
Good afternoon all,
Yesterday we had one staff member test positive. This does not affect visitation but I would kindly remind everyone to please continue to wear the provided and if you aren’t feeling well please don’t visit. We continue to test all residents and staff twice a week.
For your review from Ohio Department of Health:
Sarah Koch, LNHA
11/29/2021
Good afternoon all,
Yesterday we had one staff member test positive. We will continue our testing and strategies to minimization the potential for spread.
On a non-COVID related update we will be getting a new hairdresser. Carika has been with The Welsh Home for many years and we have appreciated her specialty and wish her the best of luck in her upcoming ventures. I am working on a replacement for her but there will be a couple of weeks to get someone new in and acclimated. Once I have more information on the matter I will let you know.
Thank you again for your continued support and patience,
Sarah Koch, LNHA
11/23/2021
All,
Today we had one resident test positive for COVID 19. We are in the process of contact tracing and will be increasing our testing strategy based on the outcome of this exercise. We will also be increasing our vigilance in regards to infection control, PPE protocols and reimplementing social distancing dining and activities.
While this does not change our current visitation policy I would greatly encourage your to sincerely think about your visiting plans especially during the upcoming holiday and holiday weekend. We would appreciate minimizing visitation activities to necessary visits, wearing PPE as prescribed (even when in the room), delaying visits and/or minimizing the number of visitors. This does not cause a change in our visitation times and will continue to try to provide access and flexibility on an individual basis. As always we have door date opportunities and virtual visits as alternatives and also would encourage you to utilize these if appropriate.
Unfortunately as we’ve moved through almost two years of COVID-19 our numbers reflect what is happening in the greater community, and if you’ve been watching the numbers, they’ve been increasing as well.
We appreciate your continued support of The Welsh Home team and all the efforts we have taken and will continue to take to minimize the impact of COVID on all involved.
Sincerely,
Sarah Koch, LNHA
11/19/2021
Hello Residents, Families and Friends,
Today a staff member tested positive. When conducting contact tracking it’s noted that the staff that have tested positive over the past few weeks are not related in any way. Also, this WILL NOT affect visitation at this time. We will continue testing of all staff and residents per our guidelines and notify you of any changes.
Sincerely,
Sarah Koch, LNHA
11/18/2021
Hello Residents, Families and Friends,
Today we were notified that an outside vendor tested positive. This WILL NOT affect visitation at this time. We will continue testing of all staff and residents per our guidelines and notify you of any changes.
Sincerely,
Sarah Koch, LNHA
11/15/2021
Hello Residents, Families and Friends,
Today we had one additional staff member test positive but this WILL NOT affect visitation at this time. We will continue testing of all staff and residents per our guidelines and notify you of any changes.
Sincerely,
Sarah Koch, LNHA
11/14/2021
Hello Residents, Families and Friends,
Yesterday we had one staff member test positive but this WILL NOT affect visitation at this time. We will continue testing of all staff and residents per our guidelines and notify you of any changes.
Sincerely,
Sarah Koch, LNHA
11/10/2021
Hello Residents, Families and Friends,
Today we had one staff member test positive but they were not in the building for 13 days prior to their initial test. This WILL NOT affect visitation at this time. We have two other staff members that we are monitoring for non-facility based exposure. We will continue to monitor all staff and residents to minimize the potential for a more serious problem. We will continue testing of all staff and residents while we are considered to technically be in ‘outbreak’ status.
Sincerely,
Sarah Koch, LNHA
11/4/2021
Hello Residents, Families and Friends,
Great news! We are back open for indoor visitation!
Sarah Koch, LNHA
11/2/2021
Hello Residents, Families and Friends,
Today we had one staff member test positive. We will be conducting the first round of testing of all staff and residents. Once we complete this testing and conduct contact tracing we will have more information on visitation. Please continue to sign up for virtual visits and door dates by contacting Sheryl at Skinser@welshhome.com. Lunch may be dropped off on Wednesdays from 11am to Noon. Please email questions@welshhome.com to let us know if you will dropping off lunch for your loved one. As always, please refer to our website with the most up to date information.
We appreciate your patience, support and understanding during this time,
Sarah Koch, LNHA
10/4/2021
Residents, Patients and POA Families of The Welsh Home,
The opportunity to receive booster shots is approaching. Our next clinic is scheduled for mid/late October. As of right now all of our residents are eligible to receive a booster vaccine. Please find attached the consent form. Right now if your first two vaccines were Pfizer and the second one was completed over 6 months ago you are eligible for a booster shot. If you are the patient and want to receive a booster or your are the POA of a patient and want them to receive it please make sure to fill out a consent form and return it to the front desk by Friday October 15th.
If you received Moderna and/or it’s been less than 6 months since your second shot we will continue to hold clinics and stay up-to-date on what the next steps are per each individual’s situation.
Due to a staff member testing positive over the weekend we will be continuing to have door dates, virtual dates and outdoor visits. To schedule door dates or outdoor visits please contact Sherly. On Friday all staff and residents tested negative and today all of the residents tested negative again today. We will continue to test all residents and staff every 3-7 days.
Sarah Koch, LNHA
Executive Director
10/3/2021
Families and residents,
We had a staff member test positive yesterday. I will send out an update on visitation, booster shots and continued testing strategies tomorrow.
Sarah Koch, LNHA
9/30/2021
Good morning,
We unfortunately had one staff member test positive late yesterday. We are currently suspending indoor visitation and starting our testing cadence for all residents and staff to be tested every 3-7 days. Door dates and virtual visits are available. Please call Sherly at (440) 331-0420 to set up a door dates and you can sign up for virtual visits here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040848aea72fa1ff2-facetimeskype.
Please stay tuned for updates.
Sarah Koch
September 22, 2021
Residents, Families and Friends of The Welsh Home,
Indoor visitation can resume! -starting tomorrow 9/22/21
All residents and staff have been tested twice a week for the last 14 days and all have come back negative. Visiting hours will resume 9:30-11:30 & 12:30-5:30. Visitors will still need to wear masks, be screened, visit in the room and limit the number of people visiting to two at a time. Please bring your vaccination card so we can keep a copy on file. Virtual visits can be signed-up for here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040848aea72fa1ff2-facetimeskype
Flu Vaccine:
Flu season is quickly approaching. Please find attached Influenza Vaccine educational flyer from the CDC. We plan to administer flu vaccine October 6th to our patients and residents. Please review this information and if you do not want to receive the flu vaccine or if you are the POA of a resident and do not want them to receive the flu vaccine please notify Cassie Porter at (440) 331-0420.
COVID Vaccine:
I’ve been getting a lot of questions about the president’s order that mandates all of our workers receive the COVID vaccine. This has been said but there hasn’t been any official guidance on how and when to implement the mandate. We are watching CMS, CDC and ODH for the guidance and once it’s been defined we will implement appropriately.
Booster Shots:
Yes booster shots will be provided. This is another topic that has been announced with several steps of mandate and guidance yet to be released. Once we receive the guidance we will be able to provide booster shots.
Thank you again for your patience and let me know if you have any questions about the information provided today.
Sarah Koch, LNHA
Executive Director
September 8, 2021
Hello Residents, Families and Friends,
Today we had one staff member test positive. We are currently testing staff and residents twice a week and continue to follow all infection control policy and procedures. In order to resume in person visitation we need to have 14 days with no positive cases, With today's positive case we will need to start the 14 day countdown over. Please continue to sign up for virtual visits and door dates while we ride out this bump in the road. Lunch may be dropped off on Wednesdays from 11am to Noon. Please email questions@welshhome.com to let us know if you will dropping off lunch for your loved one. As always, please refer to our website with the most up to date information.
We appreciaite your patience, support and understanding,
Jonnette Weimer
Social Services
September 3, 2021
Families and Friends of The Welsh Home,
We will be working hard to keep you connected over the next couple of weeks. As I mentioned before we have door date and virtual visit opportunities. We again appreciate your patience as we get organized, especially over the holiday weekend.
As a reminder, other ways to stay connected:
When will visitation resume? ODH requires us to have 14 days without a positive resident or staff member for in person visitation to resume. We will be testing all residents and all staff twice a week to monitor our COVID status. We will continue to communicate with you as we move through this process.
Also, we will continue to keep our website up-to-date with current numbers and copies of all communications. http://www.welshhome.com/cp/covid-positive-numbers
Thank you for your continued understanding and support,
Sarah Koch, LNHA
September 2, 2021
Due to one staff member testing positive we must suspend indoor and outdoor visitation for a minimum of 14 days.
We will still be offering door dates and virtual visits.
How do I sign up for a visit?
Sign up genius:
Google: sign up genius
Click the search button (looks like a magnifying glass). Click on the magnifying glass
Then “search by creator’s email address” enter: questions@welshhome.com
Click on “virtual visit sign up”.
Select a day and time.
-and/or-
Email Sheryl: skinser@welshhome.com
-and/or-
Call the building and ask for Activities. If you need to please leave a voicemail. We will get back with you.
We apologize for the inconvenience but we appreciate your patience as we start to implement our protocols to reduce the potential for spread for covid which includes but is not limited to increased testing for all staff, testing all residents and increased utilization of PPE and other enhanced precautions.
Sarah Koch, LNHA
8/12/2021
Letter to all visitors:
The Delta variant is becoming a threat we are watching closely. We may need to make changes to visitation. Cuyahoga County is a green county currently. When we become yellow county- Initially you will be required to wear a face shield and your surgical mask. We may need to limit or change visitation to door dates and/or virtual options with in-person visits being for end of life situations only. If and when this becomes a reality we appreciate your cooperation and understanding while we button down the hatches as this next wave passes, quickly, hopefully.
Questions or concerns please reach out to Jonnette jweimer@welshhome.com, (440) 331-0420 or myself.
PLEASE sanitize your hands, keep your masks on, and for the most part keep your distance.
Sincerely,
Sarah Koch, LNHA
6/18/2021
Families and Residents:
As you may be aware the Governor spoke yesterday and said he was going to rescind his orders addressing the pandemic. While he can rescind Ohio Department of Health’s orders this does not change what is mandated to us by Centers for Disease Control and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
What does this mean for visitation?
We are still held to the Core Principles of COVID-19 Infection Prevention which include, but are not limited to:
We will be maintaining hours of visitation. They will be as follows starting MONDAY:
9:30a- 11:30a
12:30p- 5:30p
This is to avoid meal times when all the residents are gathered and unmasked and are the times we have the availability to do the necessary screening for all who enter the building.
Virtual visits appointment can still be made at: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040848aea72fa1ff2-facetimeskype
We will be maintaining copies of your vaccination cards for those of you that are fully vaccinated. Bring your card and we will make a copy and keep it on file.
Education on the vaccine can be found here:
Additional Vaccine Resources:
Ohio Department of health: https://gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov/
Contact your primary care provider
CVS on Detroit- (440) 356-1999 https://www.cvs.com/immunizations/covid-19-vaccine?icid=cvs-storelocator-service-covid-44116
Google: Vaccines near me for the most up-to-date information.
Please let us know if you have any questions,
Sarah Koch, LNHA
6/4/2021
Good Afternoon Families and Friends!
The great news that we have been patiently waiting for has arrived! We can open up for in-person visitations starting Monday, 6/7/2021!!!!
Additionally, starting Monday, you may take your loved one outside if weather is agreeable. If you wish to go outside, please give us a heads up before coming, so we can have them up front for you.
Reminder of the rules:
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Sarah, Iuliana or myself.
We look forward to seeing everyone again. YAY!!!
Mandi
5/28/21
Good Afternoon Everyone!
We are so excited that we have completed two rounds of testing this week and have had no additional positive residents or staff! This means we are able to resume door dates effective tomorrow, Friday 5/28/21.
Door Dates are going to look a little different than they have before, as we are still in “outbreak mode” and everyone has to stay on the units they are living on. South stays on south, north stays on north, west stays on west (if no longer in isolation).
We have designated areas that you will be directed to when you come to visit.
To schedule a door date, please call Sheryl 440-331-0420, or you can email her skinser@welshhome.com. We are asking that everyone please only schedule one door date, per resident over the weekend so that everyone can get an opportunity to see their loved one. We are anticipating a big turn-out of door dates (and looking forward to this excitement) over the holiday weekend and we want to make sure everyone is able to get an opportunity to get a door date that wants one.
Virtual visits will continue as they have this whole time. To sign-up for a virtual visit please visit signup genius at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040848aea72fa1ff2-facetimeskype.
About In-Door visits. With us still being considered in “outbreak mode” there is a little more time that we need to wait until we can open the doors for those. It is our prayer and wish that we can make the good news announcement late next week for those. Same as taking your loved ones outside. We are looking forward to a great announcement next week, so long as we continue in the direction we are going with no more positive residents or staff.
LOA’s, we are asking that we hold off on leave of absences and going out of the building, except for medically necessary doctor’s appointments until we are able to open up for in-door/face to face visits, please. Prayers for the great news announcement next week!
I can’t say this enough, thank you all so much for your continued love and support! It means more than you will ever know, to have such a wonderful army of families and friends behind us as we have navigated these truly unprecedented times.
Thank you!
Mandi
5/21/21
Good afternoon,
With our cadence testing continuing to be every three to seven days during this outbreak period we had all staff test negative yesterday but unfortunately we had 3 residents test positive today with rapid tests. We will be confirming these results with PCRs. This mean we will continue virtual visits opportunities through next week and you can sign up for those here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040848aea72fa1ff2-facetimeskype We’ve continued to increase our infection control vigilance and are working toward the positive cases subsiding and eventually ceasing as all of our residents recuperate.
We will continue to keep our website updated with real time information here: http://www.welshhome.com/cp/covid-positive-numbers
Thank you for your continued support and patience as we continue to navigate through these truly unprecedented times.
Sarah Koch, LNHA
5/19/2021
Family and Residents:
Today we had an additional staff member test positive with a PCR test and another test positive on a rapid test. We will be confirming the rapid test with a PCR in the next 48 hours. On a better note we tested all of the resident who are not on our isolation unit yesterday and they were all negative. We will continue to be testing all staff and residents every 3-7 days and as needed until we have 14 days without either testing positive.
We keep this part of our website updated with current COVID status of all residents and staff: www.welshhome.com/cp/covid-positive-numbers
Through this week we will have virtual visits and reevaluate opening for door dates the very beginning of next week. You can sign up for a virtual visit here: Welsh Home: Virtual Visit Sign Up (signupgenius.com)
Thank you for your continued patience and prayers as we navigate through all of this,
Sarah Koch, LNHA
5/14/20201
Good afternoon Families and Friends,
I am writing to inform you that we have re-tested all of our residents using our rapid testing procedures. We discovered an additional 5 residents that are to be considered probable-positive. Those residents are being moved to our isolation area and we are going to be re-testing them using a PCR test to confirm. I am pleased to share that as of right now, everyone is doing well, of course we are going to keep a very close eye on them!
For most current data, updated numbers, and COVID education please feel free to visit our website: http://welshhome.com/cp/welsh-home-preparedness.
We are asking, please, that we take a pause on ALL visitations, including door dates, until Tuesday morning, so we may make our safety adjustments and get our infection control practices in full swing for our entire building.
VIRTUAL VISITS: if you have a door date set up, we are asking for those to flip to a virtual visit option. If you want a virtual visit, please email Sheryl at skinser@welshhome.com or call her to get on the schedule for a virtual visit.
Leave of Absences/Going out of the Building: We are asking, that all LOA’s take a pause at this time, and residents please only go out for medically necessary doctor’s appointments. Of course, we can’t hold people hostage, but if we can please not go out this weekend, that would be appreciated.
As many of you are aware, this is a very strange occurrence here at the Welsh Home. Thank you so much for your patience and prayers with and for us. We really couldn’t get thru this without your love and support. We will continue our transparent communication, as we journey thru this storm.
Thank you!
Mandi
5/12/2021
Hello families and friends,
We have been made aware that we have two staff members test positive for COIVD-19. Therefore, we must extend our in-door visitation suspension until Monday morning, 5/17/21. We will be continuing our testing efforts, per guidelines. As well as following our diligent infection control policies.
As shared before, if we are to get one employee or one staff member test positive, we are to suspend in-door visitations until we are able to complete a full round of all staff and resident re-testing. We should get our results from this next round-we are hoping-by no later than Monday morning, (5/17/2021). If everyone comes back negative, then-great, we are able to resume our visitations, as we have been doing. If anyone comes back positive, then the suspension of in-door visitation will continue until we are no longer in “Outbreak Mode” more details to come for that, if we have to go there.
What doesn’t have to be suspended: Door Dates, Virtual Visitations (Face Times/Skypes), or compassionate visits. Please, reach out to Sheryl, at skinser@welshhome.com or call the facility 440-331-0420. We will need to schedule those on the calendar, so please be patient with her to accommodate scheduling and meeting the anticipated demand. Mandi will continue to schedule compassionate visits for the residents that meet the qualifications for those, mwille@welshhome.com or call me at the facility.
We will keep everyone posted and continue our full transparency practices, as we have been doing. As always, thank-you for being our biggest partners thru these times. Your love and support mean the world to us!
Mandi
5/11/2021
Good Morning Friends and Family of The Welsh Home,
We have been made aware that we have 2 residents that have tested probable-positive for COVID-19, using our rapid testing procedures. We will be completing a full round of PCR testing of all residents and staff for confirmation, per guidelines. While this is being completed, we are suspending all in-door visitation and reinstating our “Outbreak Mode” procedures.
As we have shared before, if we are to get one employee or one staff that tests positive, we are to suspend in-door visitations until we are able to complete a full round of all staff and resident re-testing. We should get our first results-we are hoping-by no later than Friday morning, (5/14/2021). If everyone comes back negative, then-great, we are able to resume our visitations, as we have been doing. If anyone comes back positive, then the suspension of in-door visitation will continue until we are no longer in “Outbreak Mode” more details to come for that, if we have to go there.
What doesn’t have to be suspended: Door Dates, Virtual Visitations (Face Times/Skypes), or compassionate visits. Please, reach out to Sheryl, at skinser@welshhome.com or call the facility 440-331-0420, if you were planning an in-door visit to flip your visit to a door date, or virtual visit. She will need to schedule those on the calendar, so please be patient with her to accommodate scheduling and meeting the anticipated demand. Mandi will continue to schedule compassionate visits for the residents that meet the qualifications for those, mwille@welshhome.com or call me at the facility.
We will keep everyone posted and continue our full transparency practices, as we have been doing. And, as always, thank-you for being our biggest partners thru these times. Your love and support mean the world to us!
Mandi Wille, BASW, LSW
5/5/2021
Good Morning Friends and Family of The Welsh Home,
We have been made aware that we have an employee that had tested positive for COVID-19. Per CMS guidelines, this does lead us to being in “Outbreak Mode.” As we had shared before, if we are to get one employee or one staff that tests positive, we are to suspend in-door visitations until we are able to complete a full round of all staff and resident re-testing. We should get our first results-we are hoping-by no later than Monday morning (5/10/2021). If everyone comes back negative, then-great, we are able to resume our visitations, as we have been doing. If anyone comes back positive, then the suspension of in-door visitation will continue until we are no longer in “Outbreak Mode” more details to come for that, if we have to go there.
What doesn’t have to be suspended: Door Dates, Virtual Visitations (Face Times/Skypes), or compassionate visits. Please, reach out to Sheryl, at skinser@welshhome.com or call the facility 440-331-0420, if you were planning an in-door visit to flip your visit to a door date, or virtual visit. She will need to schedule those on the calendar, so please be patient with her to accommodate scheduling and meeting the anticipated demand. Mandi will continue to schedule compassionate visits for the residents that meet the qualifications for those, mwille@welshhome.com or call me at the facility.
We will keep everyone posted and continue our full transparency practices, as we have been doing. And, as always, thank-you for being our biggest partners thru these times. Your love and support mean the world to us!
Mandi Wille, BASW, LSW
4/14/21
Good afternoon residents and families:
As a follow-up to our letter on Monday we conducted a full round of testing of all of our residents and staff and they call came back negative. This means we can restart in room visitation as of tomorrow, Thursday, 4/15.
Restarting in room visitation we will, again, no longer be requiring appointments in advance to visit a patient/resident in their room - as long as the patient is not in quarantine. (We still have to quarantine new residents who are not fully vaccinated for precautionary purposes.) Door date and fireside visits still need to be scheduled with Sheryl skinser@welshhome.com 24+ hours in advance. Virtual visits can be scheduled here: Welsh Home: Virtual Visit Sign Up (signupgenius.com).
The in room visitation rules are as follows:
The basic concept of minimizing close interaction with other residents and staff remains the same. Please only visit in the room and call back to talk to the staff once you’ve departed.
No visitation at meal times.
Visitation time is start: 9:30am- exit the building by 11:30am & restart time: 1:00pm- exit the building by 5:30pm
If there is another guest checking in we ask that you stay 6 feet apart in line. There will be decals on the floor. Your patience is appreciated.
Want to visit outside? Please call us a hour ahead so we have your loved one up front.
There continues to be a limit of two visitors at a time when visiting inside.
Food. You can bring food and the resident can eat in the room but visitors must stay masked at all times.
Thank you again for your patience as we continue to navigate through balancing our regulatory obligations and wanting to increase your accessibility.
Sarah Koch, LNHA
4/12/21
Good morning friends and family of The Welsh Home,
We have been made aware that we have an employee that had tested positive for COVID-19 using a rapid test. Per CMS guidelines, this does lead us to being in “Outbreak Mode.” As we had shared before, if we are to get one employee or one staff that tests positive, we are to suspend in-door visitations until we are able to complete a full round of all staff and resident re-testing. We should get our first results-we are hoping-by Wednesday afternoon. If everyone comes back negative, then-great, we are able to resume our visitations, as we have been doing. If anyone comes back positive, then the suspension of in-door visitation will continue until we are no longer in “Outbreak Mode” more details to come for that, if we have to go there.
What doesn’t have to be suspended: Door Dates, Virtual Visitations (Face Times/Skypes), or compassionate visits. Please, reach out to Sheryl, at skinser@welshhome.com or call the facility 440-331-0420, if you were planning an in-door visit to flip your visit to a door date, or virtual visit. She will need to schedule those on the calendar, so please be patient with her to accommodate scheduling and meeting the anticipated demand. Mandi will continue to schedule compassionate visits for the residents that meet the qualifications for those, mwille@welshhome.com or call me at the facility.
We will keep everyone posted and continue our full transparency practices, as we have been doing. And, as always, thank-you for being our biggest partners thru these times. Your love and support means the world to us!
4/8/21
Good afternoon:
Liberalizing the opportunities to visit and/or take a resident/patient out of the building increases your responsibility to adhere to the rules. We take the responsibility to keep all of our residents, staff and now visitors healthy, very seriously. Please review the following information below and attached to explain how we will be expanding the opportunity to visit and leave the facility in a safe manner for all.
Visitation:
Starting Monday, 4/12/21 we will no longer be requiring appointments in advance to visit a patient/resident in their room - as long as the patient is not in quarantine. (We still have to quarantine new residents who are not fully vaccinated for precautionary purposes.) Door date and fireside visits still need to be scheduled with Sheryl skinser@welshhome.com 24+ hours in advance. Virtual visits can be scheduled here: Welsh Home: Virtual Visit Sign Up (signupgenius.com).
The in room visitation rules are as follows:
The basic concept of minimizing close interaction with other residents and staff remains the same. Please only visit in the room and call back to talk to the staff once you’ve departed.
No visitation at meal times.
Visitation time is start: 9:30am- exit the building by 11:30am & restart time: 1:00pm- exit the building by 5:30pm
If there is another guest checking in we ask that you stay 6 feet apart in line. There will be decals on the floor. Your patience is appreciated.
Want to visit outside? Please call us a hour ahead so we have your loved one up front.
There continues to be a limit of two visitors at a time when visiting inside.
Food. You can bring food and the resident can eat in the room but visitors must stay masked at all times.
Trips out of the building:
While we encourage you to visit your resident/patient here at The Welsh Home if you choose to take them out the following protocol will be followed. Infection Prevention and Control Practices including source control, physical distancing, and hand hygiene will need to be reviewed and then verified upon return. It is our responsibility to review the adherence of those around the resident/patient to the recommended infection prevention and control practices. If uncertainty exists for potential exposure the resident/patient may be potentially deemed to need to be quarantined upon return; the length of time to be determined by our clinical team. Attached is the education and form that would need to be completed by there resident or responsible party before leaving and after return.
Please feel free to reach out to me for questions or clarification on the information provided.
Best regards,
Sarah Koch, LNHA
4/2/21
Good afternoon Residents and Families of The Welsh Home:
I’ve received a lot of questions about meals.
Update to the rule:
When you are here for an in room visit or fireside visit the resident can eat but you must stay masked. We do not have the ability to manage leftovers or refrigerate perishable items.
The other time you can have a meal delivered or dropped off is on Wednesday’s between 11am and Noon. Please email questions@welshhome.com if you plan to do this.
I apologize I know there have been some mix messages. I literally just changed the rule. I hope this helps straighten things out.
I hope everyone has a nice weekend and festive Easter,
Sarah Koch, LNHA
4/1/21
Good afternoon all,
I’ve been excited to see all of our visitors coming and going, safely. I appreciate your continued patience as we continue to take steps to increase in-room visits and continue the fireside, virtual and door date opportunities.
This past week we’ve asked that one visit per family member for in-room visits during the hours between 9 and 6. Next week we are upping this to two times a week per family member for 1 hour visits. There is a maximum of two guests for any visit that happens indoors. If you have a larger group door dates is the best was to accomplish this. We will continue the hours next week between 9 and 6 and will going forward as we have the mandate for all visitors to be screened in and escorted when in the building. My goal is for the week following to continue to expand the opportunities. The other question I’ve been getting is, “Can we leave the building for fun, for lunch or things like that?” I’m asking that for the most part that outing are limited to doctor’s appointment but I will have more information on this next week.
We are still held to the standard that if there is an outbreak, defined as one resident or staff member who would test positive, to suspend indoor visitation. This would be both in room visits and fireside visits. We would still be able to do door dates and virtual visits. This is why it’s important for everyone to socially distance, maintain masks and continue proper infection control practices while in the building.
This Easter we will be having special gifts for all the residents, dyed Easter eggs at breakfast, Deviled Eggs, Baked Ham, Augratin Potatoes, Green Bean Casserole topped off with dessert of an Easter Cupcake and balloons, balloons, balloons! It will be a fun day!
We look forward to seeing more of your smiling eyes throughout the building.
Sarah Koch, LNHA
3/24/21
Good afternoon all!
We are excited to formally announce our plans to expand our visitation options to include the opportunity to visit in the resident’s room. This will start Monday, March 29th.
In room visitation:
We expect there to be a high volume of requests for these visits. For that reason, the first week (March 29th - April 4th) we are limiting the in room visitation to one per family, for one hour, with start times every 15 minutes, equaling 21 visit opportunities a day. Our goal is to expand this but we want to make sure all of our residents and families have the opportunity to visit in the room.
We will not be limiting virtual visit opportunities and the fireside visits and outdoor dates we will offer to the capacity we are able.
We are excited to continue to get back to normal. Please find attached our Welcome Back packet. It outlines the rules and emphasizes some of the challenges we will face with this new opportunity. CDC, ODH and ODA have- for the last year- spelled out what we can and cannot do to minimize the risk of the spread of COVID for all Nursing Homes across the state and county. While I know things are loosening up in the greater community we are still held to guidelines and orders put out by these regulatory entities. Opening our doors to visitors means you are now part of that responsibility. Conducting your visit in a way that aligns with the rules and ensures the safety of our residents and staff will help us fast forward to more opportunities for in room visits. Please review the welcome packet and let me know if you have any questions in regard to the expectation of you during your visit.
We are trying very hard to meet everyone’s needs and appreciate your patience, if needed, preemptively.
To schedule virtual visits: Welsh Home: Virtual Visit Sign Up (signupgenius.com)
To schedule in room visits, fireside visits and door dates please email Sheryl at : skinser@welshhome.com or call (440) 331-0420.
Best regards,
Sarah Koch, LNHA
3/23/21
Good afternoon all,
I just wanted to let you know that I’m working diligently to put the final touches on our visitation policy and process.
The quick update is that we will be allowing in-room visits starting Monday. Please don’t call or email quite yet to make an appointment- I will have more information and instruction out as soon as possible.
Also with the weather being nicer on a more regular basis if you want to change your already scheduled indoor fireside visit to an outdoor visit (weather permitting)- please do let Sheryl know by email, skinser@welshhome.com. You will still need to be screened at the front desk and will be responsible for transporting your loved one to and from the outside area.
Thank you for your patience as we continue to implement the new orders in a fair and safe manner.
Best regards,
Sarah Koch, LNHA
3/19/21
Good Morning,
The residents and staff have all tested negative this week during on Monday and all the staff again today.
Update on Visitation
ODH has not issued an order to revise visitation but is expected to in April. CDC and CMS has provided updated guidance for visitation at nursing homes. Since we are surveyed by the Ohio Department of Health and will be held to whichever standard is more stringent we will be conservatively adjusting our visitation guidelines for now, until ODH issues their orders.
Starting Friday 3/19/22 the following changes will go into effect for indoor visitation:
The following restrictions remain in place:
To schedule a visit or change your door date to an indoor fireside visit please contact Sheryl at skinser@welshhome.com or (440) 331-0420.
Update on 3 day Quarantine
The practice of quarantining items dropped for three days will be discontinued. The table at the Front Lobby will be gathered and distributed twice a day. We will not be taking the items back the moment they are dropped off. Please do NOT send food any other time, other than the 11am-Noon on Wednesday (and send us an email the day before- questions@welshhome.com).
Vaccine Clinics Continue!
Starting March 23rd we will be offering additional opportunities for our staff and residents to receive the vaccine. Our next clinic date is 3/24/2021. We will be approaching anyone who is eligible for the vaccine who has not been fully vaccinated for this opportunity. From what we’re being told by ODH weather a resident or staff member is vaccinated will determine testing cadences and the extent of visitation limitations.
Sarah Koch, LNHA
3/10/21
Good afternoon,
We had two staff members test positive. One was not in the building the previous 5 days of testing positive. The second is currently asymptomatic and has completed their vaccinations. The previous staff member that tested positive was deemed false positive.
We will continue to test all the staff and residents twice a week.
I’m currently evaluating the 3 day quarantine policy for items that are being dropped off for residents. As of now the policy stands as it has been since last March. Meals and perishable foods can be dropped off on Wednesday between 11am-Noon. Please don’t put the staff in the position to throw away the food you drop off. I know it probably doesn’t seem like much to just drop off a meal but the back end logistics if dozens of people are randomly dropping off meals, keeping them at the appropriate temperature, coordination with our meal service and someone having to drop everything to get it back to the residents, creates more of a challenge than it outwardly appears. If you plan to drop off a meal on Wednesday please email questions@welshhome.com by 5pm the Tuesday before.
The governor has been talking a lot about visitation in assisted livings and nursing homes. He announced on Monday that he would have news for assisted livings about expanding their visitation abilities. He hasn’t published his orders as of yet, but this is exciting because it’s another step closer to getting back to normal. I’m wishful that that the guidance for nursing home swiftly follows suit. I appreciate your patience with us as we are literally going on a year of modified visitation opportunities. Believe me, keeping friends and loved ones physically apart is not what I signed up for but following the regulatory mandates is something I have to do. We will continue to follow closely the changes in these rules come to fruition and look forward to the day we can say “come on in!”
Sincerely,
Sarah Koch, LNHA
3/5/21 Family and Resident Update- visitation
Good afternoon Residents and Families of The Welsh Home,
We continue to test our staff twice a week and the residents. We’ve been utilizing our general lab for testing as well as rapid testing for both the staff and residents. We have had what we believe have been 2 false positives with the rapid tests. The last true positive test result was 2/16 therefore we are now able to add indoor fireside visits to the options we’ve been providing. Here are your visitation options:
Virtual Visits:
Availability is Monday and Tuesday 9:30- 7:00, Wednesday through Sunday 9:30- 5:30
How to sign up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040848aea72fa1ff2-facetimeskype
Door Dates:
Availability is Monday and Tuesday 9:30- 7:00, Wednesday through Sunday 9:30- 5:30
How to sign up: Call and ask for Sheryl (440) 331-0420
These take place on the North side of the building (toward Center Ridge Rd) and you do not need to be screened for COVID symptoms prior to your appointment.
Indoor Fireside Visits:
Availability is Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday 9:30- 5:30 (no indoor fireside visits due to staff testing on Mondays and Thursdays)
How to sign up: Call and ask for Sheryl (440) 331-0420
You must report to the front desk 5-10 minutes prior to your appointment and be screened for COVID symptoms and will be given access to Cymry Hall where you will meet your loved one. Both parties need to maintain social distancing and wear your masks throughout the visit.
Special Visits:
These visits are designated for end of life situations. These may occur in our special visit room in the front lobby or if the person is bed bound in their room.
Availability is as needed and scheduled typically with Mandi our social worker or the nurse supervisor on duty.
You must report to the front desk and be screened for COVID symptoms and will be provided the appropriate PPE that needs to be maintained throughout the visit.
If you or your loved one is a new admission or recently returned from the hospital and is on quarantine, virtual visits are available for the first 14 days. Door dates and indoor visits are available after the quarantine requirement is completed.
There have been a lot of questions about now that residents have been offered the vaccine and I’m sure some of our families have received all or portions of the vaccine how this affects our visitation policy. Unfortunately CDC and ODH do not recognize the vaccine as part of the decision tree used to provide guidance at this time. We are being told that even with the vaccine that while you won’t get sick from COVID you could still be a vector. Therefore the above mentioned visitation guidelines are what we are able to offer.
Friendly reminder that if you want to drop off a meal on Wednesday, between 11am and Noon, please email questions@welshhome.com by 5:00 the Tuesday before.
Sarah Koch, LNHA
2/3/2021
To all families and residents:
Today we had one staff member test positive from Monday’s testing. All other staff were negative and all residents are negative. The last time we have a true positive staff or resident was December 18th. (We determined that the two positives from 1/22 were false positives)
NEW CHANGE to door dates and virtual visits sign up (revised after my 1/22 email).
I understand that everyone wants to have access to your loved one via our door dates or virtually. To be completely transparent we are struggling to meet the demand for the number of requests we are receiving. I know some of you have been on this journey with me for almost a year, some are newer to The Welsh Home. Since the concept of doors dates was brought to fruition in March we have been 100% booked. This takes a dedicated person, sometimes more than one, to make sure these visits happen. In an effort to try to accommodate more door dates we are going to implement the following:
I would ask you to PLEASE consider your Welsh Home neighbors, new and old, and consider utilizing the virtual options in lieu of several door dates in one week. If you have several family members visiting throughout the week coordinate to one visit a day per resident. This allows for other residents to share in ability to see their loved one. I really don’t want to get to the point where I’m cancelling visits to help accommodate every family to have a chance to see their loved one so I appreciate in advance some flexibility in your scheduling.
Thank you again for your understanding as we continue to manage this journey of protecting our residents,
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Date we will Update Sign-Up Genius |
Dates that will be added |
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Thursday, Feb 4 |
February 8 - 15 |
*no door dates on Feb 9th due to Vaccine Clinic |
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Thursday, Feb 11 |
February 16 - 22 |
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Thursday, Feb 18 |
Feb 23 - March 1 |
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Thursday, Feb 25th |
March 2 - 8 |
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Thursday, March 4th |
March 9 - 15 |
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Thursday, March 11th |
March 16 - 22 |
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Thursday, March18th |
March 23 - 29 |
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Thursday, March 25th |
March 30 - April 5 |
Welcome Chaplin Abraham! In asking him to share a little bit about himself he had this to share:
“I came here from India at the age of 20, chasing my American Dream. After two bachelors degrees and two masters degrees, I ended up in healthcare administration for 20 plus years. The last three years has been the most rewarding as a Certified Chaplin. I now get to unconditionally love on people that are facing life challenges beyond their control. I get to comfort them though music, spiritual enrichment of often sitting with somebody or holding their hand, in the midst of their fear and anxiousness. My concentration has been with Alzheimer’s and Dementia patients, though I love them all. Every day my goal is to make at least every day make 2-3 people smile. It is my honor to be part of the Welsh Home, for such a time as this. Gratefully, Chaplain Abraham.”
If you feel you or your loved one would benefit from visits from Chaplin Abraham, please let Sheryl know.
We are excited to continue to offer this amenity and look forward to all of his interactions with our residents!
Mobil Care Group
I am excited to announce that we have a new ancillary services provider, Mobil Care Group, that will come to our building to provide audiology/hearing care, dentistry/oral care, optometry and podiatry, in house!
Please contact Mandi to sign up for these services at (440)331-0420 or awille@welshhome.com.
1/22/21
Families and Residents:
From Monday’s testing we had one resident and one staff member test positive. Neither have symptoms and we believe the resident might be a false positive. We’ve received one negative test since the original positive result on the resident and two negative results for the staff member. We are continuing to test all residents and staff twice a week and have placed the resident in our isolation unit per our policy.
I understand that everyone wants to have access to your loved one via our door dates or virtually. To be completely transparent we are struggling to meet the demand for the number of requests we are receiving. I know some of you have been on this journey with me for almost a year, some are newer to The Welsh Home. Since the concept of doors dates was brought to fruition we have been 100% booked. This takes a dedicated person, sometimes more than one, to make sure these visits happen. In an effort to try to accommodate more door dates we are going to implement the following:
I would ask you to PLEASE consider your Welsh Home neighbors, new and old, and consider utilizing the virtual options in lieu of several door dates in one week. If you have several family members visiting throughout the week coordinate to one visit a day per resident. This allows for other residents to share in ability to see their loved one. I really don’t want to get to the point where I’m cancelling visits to help accommodate every family to have a chance to see their loved one so I appreciate in advance some flexibility in your scheduling.
The good news is the door date area now has heat!
Thank you again for your understanding as we continue to manage this journey of protecting our residents,
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Date we will Update Sign-Up Genius |
Dates that will be added |
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Thursday, Feb 4 |
February 8 - 15 |
*no door dates on Feb 9th due to Vaccine Clinic |
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Thursday, Feb 11 |
February 16 - 22 |
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Thursday, Feb 18 |
Feb 23 - March 1 |
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Thursday, Feb 25th |
March 2 - 8 |
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Thursday, March 4th |
March 9 - 15 |
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Thursday, March 11th |
March 16 - 22 |
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Thursday, March18th |
March 23 - 29 |
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Thursday, March 25th |
March 30 - April 5 |
Sarah Koch, LNHA
Executive Director
1/15/21
Good afternoon Families and Residents:
I am happy to share that this the last two rounds of testing the staff and residents were all negative. We will continue to test the staff twice a week and the residents once a week. As long as we continue to be a red county on the CMS positivity charts we are not allowed to offer indoor visitation and will be, at minimally, testing the staff twice a week. We will continue to offer the door dates and virtual visits. Good news, Brian is working on getting heat to the vestibule area where are families and friends gather. While we have used Cymry Hall as an overflow during the holidays, going forward we will strictly only be using Cymry Hall as an emergency backup for special occasions.
To get us all though the holidays we established the Communication Buddy program for some of our residents. If you were part of that program, I hope you were able to receive some heartfelt updates. I’m going to formally conclude the program but you can always reach out to anyone of us and we will be creative in how we engage with each other and celebrate special moments.
We will continue to accept family lunches brought in on Wednesdays between 11AM and 12Noon. Please email questions@welshhome.com or call and let Mandi know by no later than 5PM the Tuesday before if you plan to bring a lunch for your loved one. It is important that we have good accounting for who needs a meal or who is waiting for a lunch to come. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Our second vaccine clinic is set for Tuesday, the 19th for residents and staff, with our final clinic date set for Tuesday, February 9th for residents and staff that will be getting their 1st dose on the 19th and be ready for their 2nd dose. In my last update, I shared resources for the greater community in phases 1a and 1b to get the COVID Vaccine. I believe this is an even better resource if you or someone you know is interested in getting vaccinated in the state of Ohio https://vaccine.coronavirus.ohio.gov/.
Best regards,
Sarah Koch, LNHA
1/11/21
Good afternoon Families and Residents:
I’m happy to announce that the one staff member that we thought tested positive last week ended up being a false positive. I’m also glad to share since then we have tested all residents and staff twice and everyone has come back negative.
Next Tuesday we have the second vaccine clinic. If your loved one did not participate in the 1st clinic there is still time to sign up. If you are a resident, or the family of a resident who is here for short term rehabilitation, the resident may be vaccinated with us next Tuesday and return for our third clinic date on 2/9 to receive their second dose in the event they are discharged home prior to that date.
It was brought to my attention that in my previous letter it incorrectly sounded like I was going to be able to offer the vaccine to family members. While that is not the case, the governor did announce this website last week. If you are a Cuyahoga County resident and would like to register for a vaccine please take a look at this link. It does focus on the 1b phase, which is primarily the 65 and older population. I had my parents sign up and their feedback was that it did not give you an actual appointment date but put you on the list for notification when clinics are set up. https://www.wkyc.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/cuyahoga-county-covid-19-vaccine-registration-website/95-ca9b4838-7d02-46ab-9674-f7bd0fc78eab?fbclid=IwAR2TSloXACxLPCLWJNJgahM4QMiczqzQB_5G7mro3VJJ-INqmpB8iJOuRIQ
Medina County Residents: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/here-s-how-you-can-register-for-the-covid-19-vaccine-in-medina-county/ar-BB1cEHdw?ocid=hplocalnews
Lorain County Residents: https://www.loraincountyhealth.com/signup
Best regards,
Sarah Koch, LNHA
12/30/2020
Good afternoon all,
Yesterday marked an event we’ve been longing for- the first does of the vaccine against COVID-19. We had almost all of our residents who were eligible get the vaccine and about 1/3 of our team. I expected those percentages and expect in the next opportunity to get the get vaccine that more will join. While I respect each individual’s right to choose whether they want to vaccine or not, for me, the opportunity to have a large portion of our resident and staff vaccinated is the first step toward regaining some normalcy. We will continue our testing strategies, heightened infection control process and wearing of PPE past the three vaccine clinic dates but I’m hoping that as we move forward ODH and/or CDC provides guidance on how we can slowly open back up and get closer to what used to be our normal.
Our last group testing on 12/28 all of the residents and staff who were tested came back negative except for one staff member, who’s last day worked in the building was 12/21. We will continue our testing strategies into 2021. As always we keep these numbers updated daily here: http://www.welshhome.com/cp/covid-positive-numbers
New Years Day we will be accepting food drop offs from 11am-Noon. Please email questions@welshhome.com by 5:00 tomorrow 12/31 if you plan to do so.
Our next vaccination clinic is scheduled for January 19th. If you or your loved received your first dose yesterday the second does will be administered on January 19th. If you did not get the first does yesterday you can get your first dose on January 19th and get your second dose on February 9th.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Have a happy and healthy New Year.
Sincerely,
Sarah Koch
12/23/20
Good morning Families and Residents:
Early this morning we received results for all residents and staff who were tested for COVID on Monday, 12/21/20, and ALL were NEGATIVE. We are testing all residents and staff again today in accordance with our policy in efforts to identify and minimize the spread of COVID at The Welsh Home. We currently still have 4 residents in our isolation unit being monitored closely. We hold all our residents and their families in our prayers this holiday season, especially those diagnosed. We sincerely thank the team that are by their side, taking care of them during their time with this diagnosis. For daily updates please see our website: http://www.welshhome.com/cp/covid-positive-numbers
We wish all of our residents, families and team members a safe and healthy Christmas,
Sarah Koch, LNHA
12/21/2020
Residents and families,
Yesterday we received the results of 3 of our residents who tested positive for COVID. We immediately moved them to our Isolation unit and updated the website but I wanted to wait until all families were communicated with and questions answered until send out this letter. Our Medical Director and CCF nurse practitioner have been highly involved and are closely monitoring the situation. We tested all residents and staff again today. We are hoping this is isolated but continue to monitor through our testing strategies and heighten infection control processes to contain and minimize the risk for continued spread.
This will not change anything for the holidays as we were planning on one on one visits and continued social distancing. If you haven’t already please return your consent form for the vaccine before Christmas Eve, by the latest. I don’t want any of them to be misplaced. If you have questions about the vaccine please let me know.
Any other additional questions please let me know,
12/16/2020
Families and Residents:
Today we had another resident test positive. This resident has been and quarantine since their admission and has been moved to our isolation unit. We continue to test all of our residents and staff twice a week and will continue this strategy as appropriate. Our website is kept up-to-date daily with the current numbers of current and cumulative staff and resident numbers and can be found here: http://www.welshhome.com/cp/covid-positive-numbers
We received great news that we are scheduled for our first vaccine clinic on 12/29/2020. Attached is the Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine EAU Fact Sheet for your review. We will be reaching out to answer any questions and obtain consent forms in the near future.
As Christmas approaches I wanted to share some of the exciting things we have planned. We will have extended door dates and virtual visit opportunities. If you would like to visit (I am aware sign-up genius is full) please reach out to Sherly our Life Enrichment Director for a time. We will be accepting meal deliveries from 11am-5pm. Please notify us in advance if you plan on dropping of a meal and what time so your loved one can enjoy your meal and we can let the kitchen know not to serve them. We are planning to have a “Breakfast with Santa” and distributing our annual gifts to the residents that day as well. We have leadership staff here to help out with all the event. It should be jam packed with a lot of holiday cheer and fun.
Please feel free to reach out to me with any specific questions about the vaccine once you’ve had a chance to review the EAU fact sheet and I will be happy to answer as able.
12/10/2020
Good afternoon,
Since my last letter (12/4) we have tested all staff twice and all residents once. A total of 271 tests. We did have one staff member come back positive today, but all of the remaining 270 tests have been negative. We test the staff again tomorrow, repeating our cadence next week. We keep our website updated daily. http://www.welshhome.com/cp/covid-positive-numbers
I’m sure you’ve been hearing in the news the upcoming vaccine for COVID-19 is coming soon. I had a conversation with our pharmacy yesterday and I am confident that we will be close to first in line for the opportunity for all of our staff and residents, who choose so, to receive the vaccine. Until the vaccine is approved we don’t have a specific FAQ sheet and consent form. As soon as these are available, and all other relevant information, I will be sharing with everyone. We are organizing ourselves to be able to strike once the vaccine is available to us. Once the consent form is available the one thing we will need your assistance on is getting them signed and returned to us ASAP, for those residents who cannot do this themselves. In the meantime here is some initial education as provided by the CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/vaccine-benefits.html#:~:text=Based%20on%20what%20we%20know,severe%20illness%20from%20COVID%2D19.
As part of our preparations for the COVID vaccine distribution I’ve created a survey monkey asking for your feedback. It is anonymous so if you have specific questions or concerns please email me directly. Right now we have very little confirmed information other than we think it’s coming soon. I will continue to keep everyone updated as I receive confirmed information. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SQWZFBL
For those that are dropping off lunches on Wednesdays. Please email questions@welshhome.com the Tuesday before and let us know so we don’t serve your loved one lunch. Drop off times are between 11am and Noon.
Have a good afternoon,
P.S. We are aware we’re having some issues with Sign-up Genius. We’re not exactly sure what the issue is but thank you for your patience as we work on the problem.
12/4/2020
Good afternoon all,
I wanted to remind you that we are keeping our website up-to-date with any current positive staff or employee, along with the cumulative positive cases since the end of July here: http://www.welshhome.com/cp/covid-positive-numbers. This is updated daily.
I created the testing calendar for the remainder of the year. We will be testing the residents, at minimum, 4 more times and the staff 8. That’s approximately 3,000 tests in the next four weeks. We are expecting and experiencing some false positives. I feel that with the process we have in place in conjunction with our testing strategy we will continue to minimize the potential for spread. As of today a little over 10,000 people in Ohio we diagnosed with COVID and the 21 day average is 8,306 testing positive. We will be continuing our vigilance going into 2021.
The outpouring of support and thanks over the past few weeks has been wonderful to hear. Please take a moment to check out our video of all of us giving thanks as we move from Thanksgiving into the Christmas season: https://fb.watch/2arzVmmwrc/
12/4/2020 (part 2)
Hello all,
I wanted to mention one other thing: As a reminder if you would like to drop of a meal for your loved one we are accepting meals every Wednesday’s between 11am and Noon. Please no leftovers. Just shoot us an email the Tuesday before so we can let the kitchen know not to serve your loved one lunch and so we have the staff ready to take it right back to them. We will be accepting meals on Christmas. It will be the same process and hours as Thanksgiving.
Have a wonderful weekend,
11/30/2020
Family and Residents:
Last week we tested our residents once and the staff twice. This week we will be testing all residents today and Thursday and all staff Tuesday and Friday. As we have seen in the greater community the numbers rising, so do we in the numbers of positive cases we encounter. We are keeping our website updated on a daily basis with updated information on current positive staff and resident. Please see for daily updates: http://www.welshhome.com/cp/covid-positive-numbers. We are confident that our testing strategies are allowing us to keep a close eye on our population’s health and minimizing the potential for the spread of COVID.
On a brighter subject we’ve welcomed Rachel Toth to the team, amongst other things, she will be keeping our Facebook page up-to-date with the going-on’s at The Welsh Home. If you aren’t already, I would encourage you to follow us at: https://www.facebook.com/thewelshhomerockyriver. Thanksgiving updates will be posted soon!
Thank-you to all of our friends and families who visited virtually, joined us for door dates, dropped off food and supported us in keeping your loved ones at The Welsh Home. With the rates in the greater community continue to climb and break l records I would encourage you to also plan ahead on your plans for Christmas. We will have similar opportunities available for virtual visits, door dates and opportunities to drop off goodies. Santa and/or his elf will be dropping off presents the day of and our leadership team will be here to support the team that’s working the holiday to make it extra special for everyone.
During one of our Thanksgiving projects we were gathering some of the kind feedback from our families to share with our team. Here are a few of those comments:
“Though we are new to the beautiful bunch of residents and staff, I am thankful to such a loving group. I cried seeing this picture of my mom - the tears were of joy. She looks so much better. It has been a long road and decline, but I'm glad to see she is on the up and up and is in the right place with loving people. - Stacy, daughter of Sandra
“The Welsh Home is doing a remarkable job taking care of our mom and keeping covid out of the facility . We are very grateful! - Mary, daughter of Louise
“Thank you so much for reaching out. The picture of mom is absolutely beautiful. I appreciate all that your team is doing to make life as normal as possible for Theresa and the other residents.” - Maria, daughter of Theresa
“We are also grateful that god gave us her! And all of you!!” - Margaret, niece of Marian
Thank you for your continued support as we navigate day by day through these unprecedented times.
11/25/2020
Good Thanksgiving Eve,
It came to my attention that in my previous letter I had missed reporting to you a couple staff members. The correct number of staff to date since the end of July that have tested positive for COVID is 15. We tested the staff yesterday, the residents today and will test the staff again on Friday. For daily updates keep on eye on our website under the COVID tab. We also had another resident test positive who was here in isolation for a short period of time and was home when we received the results. This is also noted on our website.
I’m excited all of the door dates and virtual visits for tomorrow. There are a lot of you that are dropping off your homemade meals. This is great! Keep an eye on our facbook and potentially a special email. We’ve got some fun things planned and may even do some “hunting.
I wish you and your family a very happy and healthy Thanksgiving,
11/20/2020
Families and Residents:
As the numbers of COVID cases continues to set records in our greater community we are seeing the effects of that at The Welsh Home. We continue to see isolated incidents of our staff testing positive. Since the end of July we have had 9 staff members test positive. This week we also had one asymptomatic resident test positive that we believe is potentially a false positive. We will we be taking all precautions as if this individual were positive until we’re able to determine the legitimacy of the test results.
These types of letters are never fun to write which is why we continue to educate the staff of our internal infection control protocols, encourage safe behavior when not at work, and are asking the same of them- minimize their holiday plans- as we are of you. I am aware sign-up genius is full for Thanksgiving. Please call us and ask for Sheryl if you need to still make plans to visit or drop off food. County is now considered a red county by CMS. Until that changes we will not be able to offer indoor visitation. For door dates you do not have to limit your numbers of visitors to two. The room isn’t huge so keep that in mind, but you can have more than two visitors during a door date.
Thank you for those that have supplied suggestions on how we can best meet not only your loved ones needs, but your needs as well. Please continue to share. We are taking all of them into consideration as we move into the end of 2020 and into 2021.
I hope you have a safe and healthy Thanksgiving,
11/13/2020
Good Afternoon All!
During our last testing of all staff we had another staff member test positive. This again was an isolated instance. All the residents tested negative on Wednesday. We are not finding where these cases have spread internally and will test all residents and staff again next week as we are regulatory required to do. We will continue our stringent infection control process and I am excited to share that this week we had our HVAC systems upgraded to ionization filtration systems that will constantly purify the air and minimizes the opportunity for any contaminated air to spread.
Our lunch drop off this past Wednesday was success. We had 9 drop offs. If you would like to participate next week, as a reminder: on Wednesday’s, we will be accepting food to be delivered and taken to your loved one from 11:00am-Noon. Whatever is dropped off will need to be a single serving, we will not be able to accommodate leftovers and unfinished portions will be discarded. Please communicate with your families to avoid multiple drop off for one person. Please email questions@welshhome.com by the end of the prior Tuesday if you plan to bring a meal and any pertinent details (for example if you are using door dash, what we need to look out for) and so we can keep track and let the kitchen know not to serve your loved one lunch. We will also be accepting food drop offs on Thanksgiving from 11am-5:00pm. Please email questions@welshhome.com if you plan to do so.
I encourage you to start planning on how to celebrate the holidays during these unpresented times. I would ask that you consider the risk to your loved one, our residents and team members, of taking your loved one home and bringing them back. I would ask that you consider virtual options and we have a plan to increase the indoor and door date opportunities. We’ve take great lengths to minimize the potential for exposure and/or spread of COVID and will continue these efforts though the holidays.
11/10/2020
Good afternoon all,
Sign-Up Genius has been updated though the week of Thanksgiving. We will not be using Sign-Up Genius for the day of Thanksgiving. Instead, a schedule internally will be kept to help address everyone’s visit request. Thank you for your flexibility as you make your plans and we attempt to honor everyone’s requests, it is appreciated. To request an indoor date, door date or virtual visit please email skinser@welshhome.com or call (440)331-0420 and ask for Sheryl.
We will be accepting food from 11am-5:00pm on Thanksgiving day; someone here will be available to take food back to be served at the time of delivery. Please email at questions@welshhome.com if you plan on dropping off a meal Thanksgiving day and include the resident’s name and time you plan on dropping it off. If you specifically don’t want your loved one to be served our meal(s) for the day because you are bringing food, please note that as well.
As a reminder for indoor dates, both parties need to be masked and stay six feet apart. If you want to share a meal please organize this activity so it is done virtually.
Thank you all for your patience during these times.
11/6/2020 Update Regarding Visitation and the Upcoming Holiday Season
To Our Residents and Families:
Good afternoon everyone. I wanted to share some updates and talk about the upcoming holidays.
My first update is that the Ohio Department of Medicaid has clarified their interpretation of the regulation on how and when we can provide visitation opportunities for our families, friends and loved ones. The clarification is that we must suspend indoor visitation if either of two scenarios occur. The first scenario is IF we have an outbreak. An outbreak is defined as 1 resident or team member testing positive for COVID. The second scenario we would have to suspend indoor visitation is if Cuyahoga County turns red based on the CDC positivity rate map. Cuyahoga County is currently yellow (one step away from red) on the CDC map. Note: This is NOT the color-coded map by county that ODH publishes and that Governor DeWine references in his press conferences. The reality is with the greater community’s rate climbing, becoming a red county or an individual staff member testing positive is a real possibility. This could mean at some point in the future we will have to suspend indoor visitation. If you are signed up for an indoor visit and we have to suspend indoor visitation your visit will be changed to a door date.
I’ve had a lot of requests to be able to drop off food for your loved one. Logistics have made this it difficult to allow for drop offs of fresh food. Some of the hurdles include the inability to store and track leftovers, managing the volume, delivering timely and maintain proper temperatures, to name a few, but I’m excited to announce a way we are able to overcome those concerns. Starting next week on Wednesday’s, we will be accepting food to be delivered and taken to your loved one from 11:00am-Noon. Whatever is dropped off will need to be a single serving, we will not be able to accommodate leftovers and unfinished portions will be discarded. Please communicate with your families to avoid multiple drop off for one person. Please email questions@welshhome.com by the end of the prior Tuesday if you plan to bring a meal and any pertinent details (for example if you are using door dash, what we need to look out for) and so we can keep track and let the kitchen know not to serve your loved one lunch. We are also planning on allowing for meal drop offs 11am-5:00pm on Thanksgiving and Christmas. More information to come on those days.
We encourage you to start planning on how to celebrate the holidays during these unpresented times. I would ask that you consider the risk of taking your loved one home and bringing them back. That being said, I cannot and will not forbid our residents to leave our home. I would ask that you consider virtual options and we will be working on a plan to increase the indoor and door date opportunities. If you decide to have your loved one leave our home we will need to know in advance and the protocol will be that the resident will need to bathe and change their clothes upon return, disinfect the wheelchair and will have a required 14 day quarantine in their room where staff will be donning and doffing PPE upon entering and exiting. We’ve take great lengths to minimize the potential for exposure and/or spread of COVID and will continue these efforts though the holidays.
For Thanksgiving and Christmas we will have our leadership team on hand to help with connecting you to your loved one. While I would highly encourage utilizing virtual options we have available, we will provide more detail of the options we will have available on and round the upcoming holidays. Do you have any ideas on how we can better allow access to your loved one on a day-to-day and especially during the holiday season? The regulations I have to follow for indoor visitation are that they cannot exceed 2 visiting people and cannot exceed 30 minutes. Your feedback is welcome and would be helpful as we plan for the upcoming season.
Sincerely,
Sarah Koch
Executive Director
10/22/2020 Update Regarding Positive Staff Member, Indoor Visits and Thanksgiving
10/22/2020
To Our Residents and Families:
The Welsh Home has had two more staff members test positive for COVID-19. Both cases appear to be unrelated, meaning, we don’t believe one had given to the other, they had no contact with each other. The Welsh Home continues to practice our infection control measures and will continue testing all staff and residents regularly to keep a pulse on the health of everyone.
The Welsh Home is not going to stop visitation at this time due to these positive team members, but we do reserve the right based on further testing results and the greater community’s positivity rate.
To give an update regarding Thanksgiving plans, we will have extra hands on deck to make the day special. While we won’t be able to share the meal, we are trying to figure out a way to still help to make family memories.
If you have any questions or concerns, please email us at questions@welshhome.com. As the numbers in our state continue to rise we want to remind everyone to wear their masks and continue practicing social distancing precautions.
Kind Regards,
Sarah Koch
Sarah Koch, LNHA
Executive Director
10/14/2020 Update-Indoor Visitation & Communication Buddy Program
10/14/2020
Good afternoon,
We have a couple updates to share regarding Indoor Visitation at The Welsh Home and the sign up process:
We are excited to be able to offer this opportunity to our residents and their family and friends. If you have any questions, please let us know at questions@welshhome.com.
Kind Regards,
Sarah Koch
Sarah Koch, LNHA
Executive Director
10/13/2020 Update-Indoor Visitation & Communication Buddy Program
10/13/2020
Good afternoon,
As most of you are aware the governor has put out guidance on how we are allowed to offer indoor visitation. The Welsh Home has been offering access to your loved on in various ways since March and we are excited to start offering an indoor option as of Monday 10-19-20. I wanted to provide you with a summary of our requirements and how we intend to implement them as we move into this new option.
These are the guidelines that CDC and CMS have put forth as requirements as we create our visitation policy for in person visits (indoor or outdoor):
Other considerations:
In order to meet the requirements and the needs and requests for in person visitation, The Welsh Home will be implementing the following:
By 5:00 tomorrow, October 14th we will publishing the next set of opportunities to sign up for all variations of visitation, indoor, outdoor, door dates or virtual visits.
In response to our communication survey and in an effort to have an additional avenue of communication with your loved one this week starts a new program named “Communication Buddy”. Each of our leadership staff are assigned a few residents and families with the intent to have an extra insider to help share what’s going on day-to-day with your loved one. Keep an eye out for that communication.
Best regards,
Sarah Koch
Sarah Koch, LNHA
Executive Director
9/19/2020 Update on Testing, Flu Vaccine and Visits
9/19/2020
To Our Residents and Families:
All residents’ results from Monday’s testing came back negative for COVID-19. Our employees were all tested on Tuesday and Thursday and we are waiting for those results to be able to provide more information regarding outdoor visits beginning again.
Flu season is right around the corner, and this year more than ever, it is important to protect our residents from the flu. The Welsh Home will be administrating flu shots on October 2nd to residents. Please see attached letter and education for more information.
CMS has issued guidance for nursing homes allowing indoor visitation. The Ohio Department of Health has not provided the guidance for Ohio nursing homes. We continue to work with our partners at the Ohio Department of Health and OHCA to stay on top of Ohio’s policies and once guidance is provided, we will work to implement those policies here at The Welsh Home. As we know more, we will keep you informed.
Thank you to everyone who has provided their feedback on our family survey. If you have not, please consider completing our survey so we can learn what we are doing well, and where we can improve. Click here to complete the survey: Welsh Home Family Survey
We have added sign up slots for FaceTime/Skype/Door Dates for this weekend. To sign up for one of these visits, please sign up here: Visit SignUp Genius
We hope you all have a nice weekend. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at questions@welshhome.com
Sincerely,
Sarah Koch
Sarah Koch, LNHA
Executive Director
9/3/2020 Update on COVID Positive Employee and Outdoor Visitation
9/3/2020
To Our Residents and Families:
Today, we are notifying you a Welsh Home Employee has tested positive for COVID-19. After performing contract tracing on this positive employee, we are considering them low-risk for spread to other employees or residents.
In following National and State mandates, The Welsh Home will test all residents for COVID-19 within the next 24-48 hours and again next week. We will also be increasing the frequency of the staff testing.
Part of Governor DeWine’s order on outdoor visitation states the facility must be COVID free for 14 days before allowing outdoor visitation. Due to not meeting that requirement, we are suspending all outdoor visits until further notice. We understand the disappointment this causes, but the safety and health of the residents continues to be the number one priority. Our hope is to offer outdoor visitation as soon as possible, and we will keep you posted regarding when you can sign up for this type of visit.
In the meantime, we have sign ups available for FaceTime, Skype and Door Dates. To sign up for one of those, click here.
We appreciate your support and patience during this time. This is not news we like to share with you, but we will continue to remain transparent. If we receive additional test results that are positive, we will keep the COVID Numbers Tab on our website current for your review. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at questions@welshhome.com.
Sincerely,
Sarah Koch
Sarah Koch, LNHA
Executive Director
9/2/2020 Update on Family Survey and Communication Sign Ups
9/2/2020
To Our Residents and Families:
The Welsh Home continues to have no new cases of COVID-19. We are working closely with the Ohio Department of Health and OHCA to stay informed regarding new testing protocols and policies for our employees. Our next employee testing date is tomorrow, September 3.
We have tried to maintain a high level of communication and transparency with everyone from the beginning of this pandemic, and we would like your feedback. We have put together a Family Survey to see what we are doing right, what we can improve on and what else you may need from us. Please take a minute to fill out this survey so we can better serve everyone. Click here to take the survey: Welsh Home Family Survey.
Next week, we are making a change to our signups for FaceTime/Skypes, Door Dates and Outdoor Visits. The FaceTime and Skype will be on one sign up, and the Door Dates and Outdoor Visits will be on another. This will allow us to seamlessly move Outdoor Visits to Door Dates when we have inclement weather. Those signups will be available on 9/3.
Our team continues to work hard to provide quality programming for our residents. This week, our Life Enrichment team has started taking small groups out for bus rides. We can socially distance residents on the bus, all while getting them out to enjoy a change of scenery. These rides have been a huge hit!
If you have any questions, please let us know at questions@welshhome.com. We hope everyone has a nice Labor Day weekend, and we look forward to reading all your feedback from the Family Survey.
Sincerely,
Sarah Koch
Sarah Koch, LNHA
Executive Director
8/28/2020 Update on Staff Testing and Family Survey
8/28/2020
To Our Residents and Families:
We are happy to report that we have completed our second round of staff testing and all staff tested negative for COVID-19. The State of Ohio and CMS has new guidance we are monitoring as far as how often our staff needs to be tested, and as of now, our next testing date for staff is 9/3/2020.
Next week, you will receive a survey regarding our communication and response, and we would really appreciate you taking the time to complete it and provide us with any feedback. From the beginning of this pandemic, we have tried to maintain regular, transparent communication, and we look forward to hearing how we can improve and what we are doing well.
We have had our first week of outdoor dates, and aside from a couple weather cancelations, they have been wonderful. The residents have enjoyed the fresh air and seeing their family members.
I hope you have a nice weekend, and as always, please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns at questions@welshhome.com.
Sincerely,
Sarah Koch
Sarah Koch, LNHA
Executive Director
8/11/2020 Update on Outdoor Visits and Beauty Services
August 11, 2020
To Our Residents and Families:
The Welsh Home will complete its initial baseline testing for all employees next week and continue to have no more cases of COVID-19. Since we will meet the requirement for employee testing, we are able to start offering outdoor visitation beginning 8/24/2020. In order to sign up for an outdoor visit, please click here: Outdoor Visitation Sign Up. Please review policies regarding outdoor visitations.
We are all happy that Carika is back and able to provide beautician services for our residents. Carika is taking extra precautions to ensure the safety of the residents through enhanced infection control and social distancing. Due to these changes, Carika will be raising her prices for beautician services. For an updated Beauty Shop Menu, please click here, Beauty Shop Services Menu.
If you have any questions or concerns, please email us at questions@welshhome.com. Thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Sarah Koch
Sarah Koch, LNHA
Executive Director
8/6/2020 Update on Staff and Resident Testing
August 6, 2020
To Our Residents and Families:
The Welsh Home wants to provide you with an update from Ohio National Guard Employee Testing date on 7/29 and resident testing day on 8/3. We have received results from both of those testing days and all employees and residents tested, tested negative!
We felt it important to get a baseline of where we were at after having one staff member test positive after being tested due to exhibiting symptoms. Our staff testing will be ongoing per federal orders.
There were few staff members who were unable to be tested on the Ohio National Guard testing date, and we are working with them to have those tests submitted. Once all those tests are submitted, we will be able to give a better update on outdoor visitation.
While all these negative results are great and encouraging, we are committed to the infection control and vigilance we have observed thus far. Thank you for your support in this ongoing effort. If you have any questions, please email us at questions@welshhome.com.
Sincerely,
Sarah Koch
Sarah Koch, LNHA
Executive Director
7/30/2020 Resident, Family and Team Letter Regarding Positive COVID Employee
7/30/2020
To Our Residents, Family Members and TEAM,
The Welsh Home has a staff member who has tested positive for COVID-19. Due to confidentiality considerations, we are limited in the amount of information we can share with you, but we want to be as transparent as possible on this matter.
We have been monitoring all residents, since March, twice a day for symptoms and we have not and currently don’t have any residents exhibiting symptoms.
When any staff member starts showing symptoms of possible COVID-19, The Welsh Home follows the CDC guidelines, and the following steps were taken to prevent the spread of infection:
Once the test was confirmed positive, The Welsh Home took the following steps to protect other residents and staff members to reduce the chance of spread:
We know that this news is concerning and we want to reassure you that The Welsh Home is taking all precautions to stop the spread of this virus and will continue to hold the well being and safety of our residents as our number one priority We will continue to update our webiste daily if new cases are found. As you know, we are testing all staff and residents and as we receive these results please see our website daily for any new confirmed cases. I continue my weekly communications that will be sent via email to the #1 emergency contact that will also contain this information.
If you have any questions, please contact us at questions@welshhome.com. This is news we were hoping to not have to deliver, but we have been preparing for this reality. Thank you for your continued patience and support.
Sincerely,
Sarah Koch
Sarah Koch, LNHA
Executive Director
7/28/2020 Resident and Family Letter Regarding Employee National Guard Testing and Resident Testing
7/28/2020
To Our Residents and Families,
Tomorrow, July 29th, the Ohio National Guard will be at The Welsh Home to test all employees for COVID-19. This is the beginning of a 4-week process. We are anticipating testing most of The Welsh Home employees tomorrow but have three weeks to complete testing. Currently, results are taking 5-7 days to come back from the date the employee is tested.
With the level of community spread in our county and surrounding counties, we are realistic in anticipating receiving positive COVID results on asymptomatic team members. We have been testing symptomatic team members and to date, all those results have come back negative. We will update you if we receive any positive team members. Please remember though we will not be able to provide specific detail to protect the HIPAA rights of our employees.
On Monday, we will be testing all residents. The lab we are using for this is estimating results between 24 and 72 hours after testing. Each resident and family will be notified of the results. We are required to test all residents and we are orchestrating the resident testing to coincide with the staff testing to evaluate the whole house.
To share some good news, Carika has been very busy the last 6 days and has seen all the residents who requested a hair appointment. Everyone around here is looking extra good!
Please remember to sign up for FaceTime, Skypes and Door Dates. The residents really enjoy spending that time with their loved ones.
If you have any questions, please email us at questions@welshhome.com. Have a nice week and stay healthy!
Sincerely,
Sarah Koch
Sarah Koch, LNHA
Executive Director
7/15/2020 Update Regarding Outdoor Visitation
7/15/2020
To Our Residents and Families:
We have received updates and clarification regarding outdoor visits from The Ohio Department of Health and OHCA. The earliest skilled nursing facilities may allow outdoor visitation is July 20th, however, the clarification was made, by the Ohio Department of Health, that the results of the Ohio National Guard testing of all employees needs to be completed before skilled nursing facilities can allow outdoor visits. As of now, our Ohio National Guard Testing has not been completed.
Based on this requirement we must postpone the introduction of the outdoor visits. We will be taking down the sign-up genius and we will communicate the new start date once we have more information to better decide on when we will be able to offer outdoor visitation. We recognize how disappointing this is, but we must make sure we are following the guidance to keep our residents safe. We have FaceTime, Skype and Door Date times available.
We encourage everyone to tune in to Governor DeWine this evening at 5:30 PM as he addresses the State of Ohio on the current state of the Coronavirus pandemic and the recent increases in cases and virus spread. The broadcast will be carried live at http://ohiochannel.org. You can also check your local listings for television/radio options.
Have a nice week and continue to stay healthy. If you have any questions, please let us know at questions@welshhome.com.
Sincerely,
Sarah Koch
Sarah Koch, LNHA
Executive Director
7/3/2020 Update Regarding Staff Testing, Visitation and Admissions
7/3/2020
To Our Resident and Families:
The Welsh Home continues to have no positive cases of COVID-19. The National Guard has not scheduled their testing date, but we expect this to be done in the next 1-2 weeks.
After hearing guidance from Governor DeWine, ODH, CMS and OCHA, outdoor visitation will begin July 20th. The outdoor visitation will be limited to two family members at a time. To see what the volume of requests is going to be, and so we can appropriately accommodate, please email questions@welshhome.com with “outdoor visit” in the subject line, the resident’s name and a preferred time of day by Wednesday July 8th. We will maintain a list and get back with you once we work out a schedule. Eventually we will use sign up genius but for the first couple of weeks we will monitor the requests manually. We will compile this list while we put the finishing touches on the outdoor visitation process. A quick overview of what to expect per ODH’s guidelines:
We are averaging over 250 door dates, facetimes and skypes per month to keep our families and residents in touch with you, their families and friends. We are excited to offer the outdoor visits as an added opportunity and appreciate your patience as we figure out how to work this into our offerings.
Another exciting announcement by the Interim Director of Health, Lance Himes, is that the beauty salons in the nursing homes can open as of July 20th as well. All our residents will be seen initially. If you have a special request for your loved one please email questions@welshhome.com with “beauty salon” in the subject line, the residents name and your request, we will compile these as well and create a schedule. I will be working with Carika on a procedure that creates the opportunity to disinfect between residents, provide social distancing and other safety measures.
With opening visitation up to outdoor visits, we have also made the decision as of July 6th, to begin accepting admissions from the hospitals. We will be slow, thoughtful and safe about who is admitted into the building and will require a COVID negative test as part of our admissions process. New admissions will be under a 14-day quarantine and isolated to their rooms during that 14-day period.
If you have any questions and/or concerns, please contact us at questions@welshhome.com. Have a Happy 4th of July!
Sincerely,
Sarah Koch
Sarah Koch, LNHA
Executive Director
6/26/2020 Update Regarding Staff Testing, Visitation and Admissions
To Our Residents and Families:
The Welsh Home continues to have no cases of COVID-19. We have been contacted by the National Guard and they will be at The Welsh Home in the next couple of weeks to test our entire team. When we have more information, we will update everyone.
We have had a lot of questions regarding visitation and beautician services. Currently, we are still restricting visitation and beautician services. Governor DeWine on Tuesday said he would hopefully touch on nursing homes sometime next week. We will continue to monitor the guidance from the State and update you regarding these policies as we know more.
The Welsh Home team continues to prepare to start accepting admissions from the hospitals. We feel confident in our ability to isolate these individuals for 14 days after admission. We have enough PPE and our team has been trained thoroughly on infection control procedures. We plan to do this thoughtfully and safely.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at questions@welshhome.com. Have a nice weekend!
Sincerely,
Sarah Koch
Sarah Koch, LNHA
Executive Director
6/19/2020 Update Regarding Doctors Appointments and Testing
6/19/2020
To Our Residents and Families,
To start off, The Welsh Home continues to have no positive cases of COVID-19. We kicked off Father’s Day this week with some outdoor golf and we have some fun activities planned this weekend to honor and celebrate Father’s Day for our residents. Happy Father’s Day from The Welsh Home to all our family members who are fathers!
Based on information from the CDC, ODH and OHCA, we have made the following adjustment to our policy regarding doctor appointments. Starting 6/19/20 we will be allowing only essential outside doctor’s appointments without having to be quarantined for 14 days upon return, if the following is in place:
The Ohio National Guard started testing all employees in skilled nursing facilities across the state. We do not know when the National Guard will be at The Welsh Home for testing. They will give us 1-2-week notice. When we have a date for testing, we will notify everyone.
We hope everyone has a nice weekend. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at questions@welshhome.com.
Sincerely,
Sarah Koch
Sarah Koch, LNHA
Executive Director
6/4/2020 Update Regarding Staff Testing, Visitation and Yard Signs
6/4/2020
To Our Residents and Families:
To start off, The Welsh Home continues to have no confirmed cases of COVID-19. There has been a lot of information in the news regarding skilled nursing facilities and Ohio Department of Health. We received clarification this week that the National Guard has begun testing all employees in skilled nursing facilities. We do not know when the National Guard will be at The Welsh Home for testing. They will give us 1-2 week notice. When we have a date for testing, we will provide that update.
Governor DeWine recently announced outdoor visitation for Assisted Livings is allowed as of June 8th. The Welsh home will not be allowing outdoor visitation until the Governor announces outdoor visitation is allowed for our whole facility. We are working on a plan for when these visits are allowed in skilled nursing facilities, so we are ready when that time comes.
We are making plans to expand resident life enrichment and start doing small group activities. During these activities, we will be practicing strict social distancing and asking resident to wear face masks. We believe these life enrichment programs can be done in a safe way, while helping increase social interaction.
Our team and all nursing homes are working tirelessly during this crisis to maintain the quality of life of nursing home residents across the country. We want to honor this dedication and let nursing home workers know, We See You. We Appreciate You. The Welsh Home purchased yard signs that display this message for all nursing home workers. If you would like a yard sign, please stop up and pick one up. They are in the front lobby vestibule for any family who would like to display the sign in their yard.
If you have any questions or concerns, as always, please email us at questions@welshhome.com.
Sincerely,
Sarah Koch
Sarah Koch, LNHA
Executive Director
5/29/2020 Update to Residents and Families Regarding State Survey and Testing
5/29/2020
To Our Residents and Families
The Welsh Home continues to have no positive COVID cases for residents or staff members. This week The Welsh Home was surveyed by the Ohio Department of Health in the areas of Infection Control and Life Safety. We are proud and happy to report that The Welsh Home passed both surveys with no deficiencies in either area. We have been confident in our daily infection control training and plans for a COVID-19 isolation unit, if one is needed, but it is reassuring to know the State approves with confidence of our training and plans.
We are keeping a close eye on the new Congregate Care Unified Response Teams Governor DeWine has put in place to test all employees of nursing homes in Ohio. The Welsh Home is not one of the 10 pilot locations. As we continue to learn more about the program as it relates to The Welsh Home, we will keep you apprised.
The State of Ohio is currently in Phase 1 of the Responsible Restart Ohio plan, and due to that, we are now beginning to reintroduce some small group, socially-distanced activities for the residents. We continue to do this under strict guidelines of social distancing, but it is nice for the residents to engage in this type of social interaction again.
Thank you again for your continued support and encouragement. As a quick side note, if anyone sent their loved on a Amazon snack box, please let us know at questions@welshhome.com. It was delivered without a name and we want to try to get it to the right person. Have a nice weekend!
Sincerely,
Sarah Koch
Sarah Koch, LNHA
Executive Director
5/15/2020 Update to Families Regarding Admissions and Medicaid
5/15/2020
To Our Residents and Families:
The Welsh Home has no confirmed COVID-19 case for residents and staff members. While we are happy to report that, we also continue to prepare for when we do have a resident or staff member test positive. We continue to increase our PAR levels of PPE, as it becomes available, and stress infection control in all areas of the building. As more research becomes available, we continue to modify our COVID isolation unit on C-Hall to have the best practices in place to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
The Welsh Home is keeping up with guidance regarding testing, infection control and new recommendations from the CDC, Ohio Department of Health and OHCA. We are also evaluating when will be the appropriate time to start accepting COVID negative admissions from the hospital into our quarantine unit. We have cared for 4 of our residents on the quarantine unit from when they have returned from a hospital stay or doctors’ appointment. The Cleveland Clinic has put a policy in place to test all patients being discharged from the hospital to a skilled nursing facility. As we know more regarding admissions, we will keep you posted.
Residents who receive Medicaid should have received a $1,200 stimulus check from the government. We have learned that this money does not affect their Medicaid eligibility because it is not categorized as income but will need to be spent within 12 months and must be spent on the resident. We would advise you to keep track of any receipts for purchases.
Thank you for your continued support and encouraging words.
Sincerely,
Sarah Koch
Sarah Koch, LNHA
Executive Director
5/1/2020 Update to Families Regarding Quaratine Unit and Mother's Day
5/1/2020
To Our Residents and Families:
The Welsh Home continues to have no positive cases of COVID-19 in our facility. To continue to be transparent with our residents and family members, we do now have 2 residents on our quarantine unit. These residents are Welsh Home residents who had a hospital stay and returned from that stay. Following our policy, these residents must remain on the quarantine unit for 14 days. This is to protect other residents from being exposed to COVID-19. Neither of these residents are currently showing symptoms of COVID-19.
Monday, CMS issued new guidance regarding doctor appointments and hospital stays. Moving forward, any resident who leaves the building for a doctor’s appointment, procedure or hospital stay will be required to be placed on the quarantine unit for 14 days upon arrival back at the facility. We are asking that, when at all possible, the residents be visited by the doctors via telehealth appointments. Telehealth appointments will allow the residents to not have potential exposure to COVID-19 in the community and prevent a quarantine stay. Residents in quarantine are placed on isolation precautions and limited to their room.
On a lighter note, May 10th is Mother’s Day! We have opened slots on our signup genius for Door Dates on Mother’s Day. We will monitor the sign up and assess if more spots are needed based on sign ups. To sign up for a Door Date, Skype or FaceTime for Mother’s Day, click here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040848aea72fa1ff2-facetimeskype.
Thank you for your continued support. We truly appreciate all the cards, encouraging words and patience you have all had during these times. We will continue to keep you up to date on updates and happenings at The Welsh Home.
Sincerely,
Sarah Koch
Sarah Koch, LNHA
Executive Director
4/17/2020 Update Regarding Communication Plans
4/17/2020
To Our Residents and Families:
I hope you had a chance to read the communication that came out on Monday. (Copies of all past communications can be found at http://welshhome.com/cp/Letter-to-the-families)
Our goal through this whole process, from the first family meeting, has been to be transparent. I watch the news closely and my heart goes out to facilities that have experienced issues and families that don’t feel as if they were communicated with by the facility. We pledge to remain communicative to you, and we need help from you. Please develop a communication plan amongst your family that shares any of our updates to your extended family. We will be sending information out via the email addresses you have provided us, and calling, when appropriate, the person listed as emergency contact #1 for each resident.
Communication on a lighter note! We have had 154 door dates and 120 Video Calls on Skype or Facetime between our residents and their loved ones in the last month. We continue to offer these services. To sign up, please use sign-up genius (https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040848aea72fa1ff2-facetimeskype), or if you need assistance signing up for a slot, please call Mandi at 440-331-0420 so we can sign you up for a time.
Thank you for your support and your efforts to develop your family’s communication plan so we can assure everyone receives updates and important information as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
Sarah Koch
Sarah Koch, LNHA
Executive Director
4/13/2020 Update Regarding Governor DeWine Orders
4/13/2020
To Our Residents and Family Members:
As of today, The Welsh Home continues to have zero confirmed cases of COVID-19. From the beginning of this pandemic, we have committed to being as transparent as possible regarding all aspects of COVID-19 and The Welsh Home, while maintaining our resident’s and employee’s privacy. As we have heard of new orders, or new processes, we have kept families up to date with regular communication.
Today, Governor DeWine issued an order to compel nursing homes and long-term care facilities to notify families and caregivers of all residents when an employee or resident tests positive for COVID-19. This notification must be completed within 24 hours. The state will also start releasing the names of all long-term care facilities and nursing homes that have a minimum of one resident or employee case of COVID-19.
The Governor must be taking tips from The Welsh Home’s COVID-19 standards. We hope you take comfort knowing, before this order was delivered, it has always been our goal and promise to notify our families and residents if we have a resident or staff member test positive of COVID-19. If we have a resident or employee test positive for COVID-19, we want you to hear from us, The Welsh Home, first. We will not be releasing names, units or shifts to maintain the privacy of the resident or employee affected. As stated before, any resident who would test positive would be moved to our isolation unit on C-Hall to minimize exposure to other residents.
We appreciate your continued support as we move through these uncharted waters and we will continue to be as transparent and genuine in our communication, while maintaining appropriate privacy.
Sincerely,
Sarah Koch
Sarah Koch, LNHA
Executive Director
4/9/2020 Weekly Update to Families
4/9/2020
To Our Residents and Family Members:
The Welsh Home would like to with our residents, families and friends a very Happy Easter. I’m sure it will be a different Easter in your homes as it will be in ours. We are planning some fun activities for all to enjoy. I spotted the Easter Bunny scoping out the place for his upcoming visit.
We continue to monitor all our residents and staff to minimize the threat of COVID and sincerely appreciate all the kind words and support as we move through these challenging times. The TEAM is to be commended and your continued support of them is much appreciated. We’ve been trying to extend our gratitude, and any letters that we receive are posted at the entrance as staff members get screened in. If you would like to send a note of encouragement or gratitude, we will gladly add it to that area.
Reminder! If you want your loved one to receive something you drop off for Easter, this must be done by the end of tomorrow, Friday April 10th. We continue to hold all incoming packages for 3 days before distributing to the floor or resident.
Wishing you and your family a safe and healthy holiday weekend.
Sincerely,
Sarah Koch
Sarah Koch, LNHA
Executive Director
4/3/2020 Weekly Update to Families
4/3/2020
To Our Residents and Families:
We are pleased to report that we continue to not have a positive COVID-19 case. I cannot promise that we will not in the future. This week we rereviewed the education, actions, policy review and revisions, as a few examples of the measures we have taken to minimize the potential for someone to contract or spread COVID-19. I want to reassure you that the team here has everyone’s best interest at heart and continues to react to new guidance and implement policy and educate, educate, and educate again on our expectations.
In keeping up with the news about issues at local nursing home, families with loved ones in those facilities have expressed concern about a lack of communication. I sincerely hope you feel that our communication has been transparent and if any concerns have arrived, they’re been addressed promptly. To continue my transparent communication, I want to explain our processes and preparedness. If we have a patient that develops symptoms, they will be tested for a diagnosis to explains the symptoms, and during that time will be treated by our staff with isolation precautions. If the patient is deemed positive of COVID-19, they will be either be transferred to the hospital (today the hospital is saying they will accept COVID-19 positive) or will be moved to our isolation unit on C-Hall if the hospital is at capacity.
This week, we have also moved residents around on our West Unit, so we can have a quarantine unit. The purpose of the quarantine unit is to provide a 14-day quarantine for people who have recovered from COVID-19 from our own isolation unit, or if any of our residents go to the hospital and return. If during the hospital surge, we take admissions from the hospital, or are ordered by the Governor to take non-COVID-19 patients from the hospital to relieve hospitals beds for COVID-19 patients, these non-COVID-19 patients would be quarantined in a closed-off unit on our West Unit for 14 days, isolated away from our current residents. At this point, we are not accepting patients from the hospital to the quarantine unit, but in the event we do, we want to be prepared and ensure we first have our residents protected.
If we have a patient test positive for COVID-19, we will be notifying the emergency contact listed as #1 to share this fact and provide an update on the plan of action going forward. We will continue to be as transparent during this crisis as we can. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at questions@welshhome.com. Thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Sarah Koch
Sarah Koch, LNHA
Executive Director
3/23/2020 Update to Delivery Process for Residents
3/23/2020
To Our Residents and Family Members:
To continue to minimize the exposure of COVID-19, we will be holding all items dropped off by families for 3 days before the items are delivered to the resident. CDC has provided guidelines on how long the virus may stay alive on different types of surfaces and materials, and for that reason, we are implementing the 3-day hold policy on items entering the facility. Please DO NOT drop off perishable food or plants.
Where it is possible, we will be implementing the same process for external deliveries of goods.
These efforts are to minimize the potential for exposure. We recognize that we will most likely have to treat residents that contract COVID-19 but want to ensure we have taken all precautions to continue to keep the safety and well-being of the residents and team members as our number one priority.
If you have any questions, please contact us at questions@welshhome.com. Thank you for your continued support and understanding of the changing policies as information is available.
Sincerely,
Sarah Koch
Sarah Koch, LNHA
Executive Director
3/18/2020 Welsh Home COVID-19 Testing Update
3/18/2020
To Our Residents and Family Members:
The Welsh Home has a strong professional relationship with both The Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals. Due to these partnerships, we are now able to test for COVID-19 at The Welsh Home.
Residents who will be tested will be exhibiting symptoms, meeting screening criteria, and meet the hospitals testing protocols. Families will be notified if your loved one has met these protocols and will be tested for COVID-19.
In a press briefing this week, World Health Organization Chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, “You cannot fight a fire blindfolded.”
We are pleased to report that due to this testing capability, we will not have to fight this virus blindfolded. We have been taking many precautions to prepare for a COVID-19 in the building:
We have been taking these measures for weeks knowing this was a probability and expected The Welsh Home would experience concern and potentially have positive cases of COVID-19.
The Welsh Home continues to be committed to the safety and well-being of all our residents and we appreciate your support through this situation. Please see our preparedness measures at http://www.welshhome.com/cp/welsh-home-preparedness. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email us at questions@welshhome.com.
Sincerely,
Sarah Koch
Sarah Koch, LNHA
Executive Director
3/17/2020 Welsh Home Updated on Social Distancing and Preparedness
3/17/2020
To Our Residents and Family Members:
Additional guidance from CDC has come out to discontinue all group activities and communal dining. Over the weekend, we started purposefully practicing social distancing. In general, this means keeping residents 6 feet away from each other, minimizing communal dining and breaking activities into smaller groups where distances can be safely kept. To comply with the CDC’s Social Distancing guidelines, while still maintaining the highest quality of life of our residents, we have taken the following measures:
The Welsh Home does not currently have any cases of COVID-19. In the event we would, we are being told that we may be able to transfer them to the hospital but depending on the situation, we may have to care for these patients in house. The Welsh Home is attempting to be as proactive as possible during these tumultuous times and as part of that process we must anticipate worst case scenarios. We are in the process of moving Residents from “C-Hall,” rooms 31-38, to other rooms in the facility to be able to have a contained unit available if it is needed. I want to reassure you that this is a preemptive strategy to ensure that in the event we have to care for someone with COVID-19, we are providing them and our current residents, the most secure and contained environment to minimize the opportunity for it to spread.
As we know, Governor Mike DeWine has been very proactive in his stance and actions to protect us as citizens and at The Welsh Home, we will continue to follow the regulatory and governmental guidance and continue our diligent practices in every effort to minimize the contraction or spread of COVID-19, the Flu, and all communicable diseases.
Please continue to follow our social media platforms (website, Facebook and Twitter) for continual updates and information on ways to connect with your family members. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at questions@welshhome.com and we can direct your questions to the appropriate team member.
Sincerely,
Sarah Koch
Sarah Koch, LNHA
Executive Director
3/11/2020 The Welsh Home Updated Visitation Policy Effective 3/12/2020
To Our Residents and Family Members:
In the letter dated 3/9, The Welsh Home informed you that we had received guidance that we needed to further restrict visitation to restrict all non-essential visit. Now that there are Coronavirus cases confirmed in Cuyahoga County, CMS, The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, has further defined visitation as needing to LIMIT visitation. CMS defines limiting as:
Limiting means the individual should not be allowed to come into the facility, except for certain situations, such as end-of-life situations or when a visitor is essential for the resident’s emotional well-being and care.
CMS provided an example of Limiting Visitation:
Limiting: For facilities that are in counties, or counties adjacent to other counties where a COVID-19 case has occurred, we recommend limiting visitation (except in certain situations as indicated above). For example, a daughter who visits her mother every Monday, would cease these visits, and limit her visits to only those situations when her mom has a significant issue. Also, during the visit, the daughter would limit her contact with her mother and only meet with her in her room or a place the facility has specifically dedicated for visits.
At this time, under the guidance of CMS, The Welsh Home is limiting all visitors. We understand that connecting with family members is incredibly important, and there are a variety of other ways you might consider doing that. These may include telephone, email, text, or through FaceTime, Skype or Facebook. The Welsh Home has set up two iPads for residents to use, with help from staff members, to connect with their family members. For our assistance in organizing a time for this communication please email us at questions@welshhome.com.
The Welsh Home is committed to keeping families updated and communicated with during each step of this process. Please continue to monitor our website, www.welshhome.com, our Facebook page, The Welsh Home and our twitter account, @thewelshhome.
Thank you for your support as we do our best to ensure the safety and health of your loved one.
Sincerely,
Sarah Koch
Sarah Koch
Executive Director
3/9/2020
To Our Residents and Family Members:
We know some of you may be concerned about the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) being reported in the media and how it may impact us here at The Welsh Home. Ensuring residents are cared for in a professional, safe and healthy environment is our greatest concern, as always.
As healthcare professionals, we are diligent in being proactive in our approach to all healthcare concerns. We do not act out of fear or panic, we responsibly use the skills and training to carry out the responsibilities that we gladly shoulder providing care and services to those under our care. At this time, we are asking that due diligence and good proper hygiene etiquette be followed by everyone including ourselves, families, friends and visitors. Ask yourself is this an essential visit? We just received guidance (5:45pm 3/9/2020) that we need to further restrict visitation to restrict all non-essential visits.
Also, refrain from visiting under any circumstance if any of the following criteria have been met:
1. You have traveled out of the country in the last 14 days;
2. You have symptoms of respiratory infection such as cough, sore throat and/or fever; or
3. Have had contact with someone with or under investigation for COVID-19.
We understand that connecting with family members is incredibly important, and there are a variety of other ways you might consider doing that. These may include telephone, email, text, or through Skype or Facebook. For our assistance in organizing a time for this communication please email us at questions@welshhome.com.
We are monitoring CDC, Ohio Department of Health, Ohio Department of Aging and American Healthcare Association for updates daily. In addition, we are maintaining close correspondence and partnership with the Cleveland Clinic to remain current with any new developments, as they arise. At The Welsh Home, we have reviewed our Emergency Preparedness Policies and Procedures, implemented increased infectious disease protocols, as well as, provided additional education and training to staff regarding proper sanitation and precaution.
If you have any questions about the steps we have taken to provide the safest environment for your family and loved one. We will be keeping our website updated (www.welshhome.com) with any new pertinent information or guidance in our processes to prevent and/or minimize our residents and staff’s exposure to COVID-19. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at: skoch@welshhome.com.
Sincerely,
Sarah KochSarah Koch, LNHA
Executive Director
