We are open to visitation in all buildings. Please see our COVID-19 tab for details.
Maria Joseph Continuing Care Community Coronavirus Precautions
Dear Residents, Families, Staff, and Friends of Maria Joseph Continuing Care Community,
We feel so blessed by your support and compassion as we navigate the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic on Maria Joseph Continuing Care Community (Maria Joseph), our residents and staff, and the broader community.
As you know, we have implemented changes in our regular operations as part of our response plan, including enhanced infection control and prevention measures, monitoring residents and staff for symptoms, and restricting visitors except in end-of-life situations on a case-by-case basis.
As of July 24, 2020 we have been notified that one of our independent living residents has been diagnosed with asymptomatic COVID-19. The resident and family member is self-quarantining in their home for 14 days.
Should any other cases arise, we are committed to respectful, open, and transparent communication. We will first notify the affected resident, their family, and our staff, and will follow all privacy requirements. Our medical director and other providers as well as local and state health departments will guide our efforts, as well as our own preparedness plans. We will provide updates to all residents, families, and staff as we learn more, ensuring we respect and follow all health and employment privacy requirements.
We will continue to work around-the-clock to protect our community and the broader community. Key components of the action plan are:
•Quarantining residents and implementing enhanced infection control measures. This includes establishing a designated area in the building should there be a resident with a positive COVID-19 diagnosis and quarantining the resident in their room. We will have designated staff to support and care for them, and continue to follow all infection control protocols as outlined by the CDC, CMS, and local and state health officials. The resident would remain in quarantine until well and cleared by medical professionals to return to normal activity.
•Advising affected staff to take all appropriate measures. For their health and well-being, should there be a staff member with a COVID-19 diagnosis, the staff member will be asked to quarantine at home, and contact their medical provider to guide their care. We will follow all CDC guidance on the return to work criteria for health care professionals with confirmed COVID-19.
•Continuing to monitor and screen residents for symptoms. We continue to actively screen residents for fever and respiratory symptoms. We are all key partners in keeping ourselves and others healthy. Please wash your hands often and avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Residents know to notify the staff immediately if they feel ill.
•Continuing to screen staff prior to beginning work. Staff are not allowed in the building if they are ill. Screening includes taking temperature upon arriving at the building as well as completing a detailed health screening. Any staff who exhibit symptoms are instructed to put on a mask, isolate at home, call their medical provider, and notify their supervisor.
•Continuing to implement environmental safety precautions. Housekeeping staff continue to take extra measures to clean and disinfect all high-touch areas throughout the building. This includes countertops and tables, faucet handles, toilet flush handles, door knobs, crash bars, door handles, bathroom and kitchen areas, elevator call buttons, and hand rails.
•Continuing to restrict visitors in our building for everyone’s safety. We encourage loved ones to communicate with residents by phone, letters, video chat, and/or social media, and are happy to facilitate this communication. We understand that it is hard to not have visitors, especially family. Visitors who need to enter the building for end-of-life care situations are evaluated on a case-by-case basis to assure safety for all.
•Continuing to restrict congregate dining and have canceled any group activities that don’t allow for social distancing. We are following all guidance from CMS, CDC, and state and local officials.
•Utilizing personal protective equipment (PPE) when interacting with residents, as directed by CMS guidelines.
We will continue to be in close communications with local and state health officials, and are monitoring new information from the CDC and CMS to ensure we are taking the appropriate steps.
We want to take this opportunity to share our ongoing gratitude to our dedicated staff, for their commitment to the care of and service to our residents. Their courage is nothing short of inspiring—they are our heroes!
It is moments like these that we remember our true calling and what brought us to Maria Joseph CCC. We care deeply about our residents and staff and consider them to be members of our own extended families.
Once again, we thank you for your support and understanding. We are all in this together and together we will continue to ray for one another and for health and safety of all those we serve.
NOTE to MEDIA: Please send any media inquiries to media@hdgi1.com.
As information about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic rapidly changes, we are committed to providing the most recent information. Some of the details in this update may have changed after publication.
For the latest on COVID-19, we encourage you to use the resources below.
•Pennsylvania COVID-19 Information
•Pennsylvania Department of Health Services
•Montour County, Pennsylvania
•CDC – Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
•CDC – Enfermedad del Coronavirus 2019 (COVID 19)
•Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services