Outbreak Response Plan
Update -- June 22, 2021
Dear Parker at Monroe Families,
I am so pleased to report that Parker at Monroe is moving from Phase One to Phase Two effective Tuesday, June 22, 2021. There are no major changes associated with this phase change: indoor visitation, communal dining, and group activities continue.
Thank you so much for your continued support. Please contact me if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Megan Kovaltchouk
Interim Administrator
Update -- June 7, 2021
Dear Parker at Monroe Families,
As previously reported to you, the New Jersey Department of Health recently issued guidance related to the reopening of nursing homes.
Phases are determined based on an outbreak status within our home. An outbreak is concluded when there are two full incubation cycles for 28 continuous days without any positive cases in residents or staff. I am so pleased to report that Parker at Monroe is moving from Phase Zero to Phase One effective Monday, June 7, 2021.
As we move through the phases as quickly and safely as possible, please know that our team has been working on digesting guidance from the NJDOH and planning for the execution of each directive. We will provide updates as we advance to other Phases.
Some of the key changes that I am sure you will find most exciting in Phase One are that we will be returning to limited communal dining and limited small group communal activities with social distancing and reduced capacity.
Residents will be provided comprehensive details regarding programming and dining from our Chef de Cuisine and Recreation Manager over the next few days.
I will continue to host the weekly WebEx meetings with our families. During these meetings we can provide updates and answer questions regarding reopening plans, vaccination program, and processes.
Parker at Monroe's plan is fluid and must coincide with the phases of the State's "The Road Back: Restoring Economic Health Through Public Health" and we will need to react to ongoing conditions within our community. You can read Parker's full Outbreak Response Plan on our website.
Thank you so much for your support and patience. Please contact me if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Megan Kovaltchouk
Interim Administrator
Update -- March 30, 2021
Dear Parker at Monroe Families,
I am happy to inform you that the New Jersey Department of Health recently issued guidance regarding indoor visitation for nursing homes and assisted living residences.
Parker at Monroe is tentatively scheduled to open indoor visitation on Wednesday, March 31, 2021. The visits must be scheduled using our calendaring app and will occur in designated visiting areas. It is necessary to schedule all visits at this time because we must keep track of the number of visitors in our home at any given time. If the elder is fully vaccinated, they can choose to have close contact (including touch) with their visitor, so long as the visitor is wearing a tight-fitting mask such as a surgical mask.
With beautiful weather ahead of us, I am sure many of you will take advantage of outdoor visits. Please remember to schedule your outdoor and indoor visits using the calendaring app.
Visitors are encouraged to arrive a few minutes before their scheduled visit to complete the visitor screening process at the Concierge Desk.
Parker at Monroe’s visitation plan must coincide with the NJ Department of Health guidelines. We will continue to monitor and update you as soon as we receive new information. Thank you so much for your support and patience. Please contact me if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Megan Kovaltchouk
Interim Administrator
Update -- November 20, 2020
Dear Parker at Monroe Families,
As many of you are aware, the State of New Jersey is currently experiencing a rise in COVID-19 cases. With the holidays approaching, the CDC and the NJ Department of Health have issued holiday visitation guidance to better protect residents in nursing homes across the state.
While we want you all to be able to see your loved one, Governor Murphy is asking that we limit our visitations. The DOH strongly recommends against families taking residents out of our homes for holiday celebrations. Families are rather, encouraged to continue to use our portal to schedule outdoor visits with your loved one and use telecommunications whenever possible.
However, should you decide to take your loved one out of Parker at Monroe for the holidays, we have set the following guidelines in place.
- Please notify me, Lisa Valentino, within 72 hours advance of the residents planned departure date.
- Notification of any cancellation or change in plans needs to be within 36 hours in advance of the scheduled visitation as per the state regulation.
- A waiver must be signed by a family member which outlines the recommended infection control protocols that should be taken while the resident is visiting with you including the use of PPE.
- Residents who do visit family for the holidays will need to quarantine for 14 days upon returning to Parker.
- After return, family members are responsible for notifying me if anyone who had come in contact with our residents during their visit is exhibiting symptoms or have tested positive for COVID within a 14-day period.
As always, our top priority is the health and safety of your and your loved one. I hope that each family can determine a holiday plan that best fits your needs, while keeping everyone safe.
I wish you a very healthy Thanksgiving and holiday season. Please contact me if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Lisa Valentino, RN
Update -- November 12, 2020
Dear Parker at Monroe Families & Residents,
I would like to make you aware of our latest COVID-19 test results. We have one elder and one care partner who tested positive for COVID-19 today. The majority of this week's test results are still pending at this time and I will inform you if we have any other positive results.
The resident who tested positive is asymptomatic and has been placed in the COVID-19 isolation unit under quarantine and will be monitored closely by our nursing staff.
The staff member who tested positive is also asymptomatic and was tested weekly as part of our resident and staff surveillance testing program. The positive staff member will remain out of work for 14 days and must be cleared by a physician before returning to work. Any residents who were in contact with this staff member are being closedly monitored for symptoms.
We have notified the local health department and are awaiting additional guidance. Unfortunatly, this means that we return to outbreak status and will be in Phase 0. We will be discontinuing communal meals and small group activities.
Thank you for your continued patience. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.
Regards,
Lisa Valentino, RN
Acting Director of Nursing
Update -- October 7, 2020
Dear Parker at Monroe Families & Residents,
As previously reported to you, the New Jersey Department of Health recently issued guidance related to the re-opening of nursing homes.
Phases are determined based on an outbreak status within our home. An outbreak is concluded when there are two full incubation cycles for 28 continuous days without any positive cases in residents or staff. I am so pleased to report that Parker at Monroe is moving from Phase Zero to Phase 1, effective October 9, 2020.
Some of the key changes that I'm sure you'll find the most exciting in Phase 1 are that we will be returning to limited communal dining and communal activities with social distancing. You can read Parker's full Outbreak Response Plan on our website.
As we move through the phases as quickly and safely as possible, please know that our team has been working on digesting guidance from the NJDOH and planning for the execution of each directive. We will provide updates as we advance to other Phases.
Parker at Monroe's plan is fluid and must coincide with the phases of the State's "The Road Back: Restoring Economic Health Through Public Health" and we will need to react to ongoing conditions within our community.
Thank you so much for your support and patience. Please contact me if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Gina Kirchoff, LNHA
Administrator
Update -- September 21, 2020
As you may know the New Jersey Department of Health recently issued guidance related to the re-opening of licensed facilities. Our team has been working on digesting this guidance and planning for the execution of each directive. We are pleased to inform you that Essential Caregiver guidance was released to our residents and families on September 11, 2020. We know this was of importance to everyone and appreciate your patience as we worked through this issue.
Currently, Parker at Monroe is at Phase Zero and we are working on the directives which will allow us to move forward. We will provide updates as we advance to other Phases.
Below you will find a link to Parker at Monroe’s Outbreak Response Plan. This document conveys what is planned and what to expect as we reopen with the main objective of reducing and stopping the spread of COVID-19 in our community while addressing resident’s needs.
Parker at Monroe’s Plan is fluid and must coincide with the phases of the State’s “The Road Back: Restoring Economic Health Through Public Health” and we will need to react to ongoing conditions within our community.
VIEW PARKER’S OUTBREAK RESPONSE PLAN – Parker at Monroe