Live Update to Residents-September 15, 2020
Live updates to residents on our in-house TV970 keep us informed and connected on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 3 p.m. Today’s update featured John Burns, President and CEO; Debra Jacobsen, Administrator Resident Services; and Logan Augustine, Chaplain.
The following updates were shared during the live briefing on TV970.
John Burns
On Friday and Monday, we shared memos with the latest updates on new confirmed cases of COVID-19 at Westminster Canterbury. Read the details at https://blog.staging-wcrimultisite.kinsta.cloud/.
The Gables and Monticello Update
Yesterday, Westminster Canterbury Richmond learned that two residents of The Gables tested positive for COVID-19. On Friday a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) who worked in The Gables and Monticello, memory support areas of Assisted Living, tested positive for COVID-19 after experiencing symptoms. These residents live in the household where the CNA was primarily assigned to work. The residents were moved to the COVID-19 positive unit where they will be cared for by a dedicated team of Assisted Living caregivers. These are the first two cases of COVID-19 for Assisted Living residents at Westminster Canterbury. All residents of The Gables and Monticello have been tested for COVID-19, and all other results came back negative. We will monitor staff and residents for symptoms and test anyone who develops signs or symptoms.
Cases Summary
Since March, we have had confirmed cases of COVID-19 in a total of 15 residents and 29 employees. So far, 27 of the 29 employees have recovered, tested negative twice and returned to work. Two employees are recovering in quarantine.
Phase I for Mary Morton Parsons Health Center
Last week we shared that thanks to encouraging results of more than 14 days with no cases of COVID-19 in Parsons Health Center, we submitted our application to the Virginia Department of Health to begin the multi-phased process of reopening Parsons Health Center. Yesterday, we learned that our application has been approved to enter Phase I, and now we can begin preparations for Phase II.
Parsons Health Center remains closed to visitors. We are one step closer to reopening. To enter Phase II of reopening, we must have no new, nursing home onset COVID-19 cases for 14 days. The cases of COVID-19 in Assisted Living do not impact progress in Parsons Health Center.
Debra Jacobsen
Galleria Open
The Galleria is now open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from noon to 5 p.m. The number of shoppers is limited to two at one time. Please sanitize your hands before entering. Please be aware of social distancing and limit shopping time to no more than 20 minutes. There will be special drawings for discounts and prizes and a new greeting card department with many fun cards.
November Presidential Election
We have completed the process to have the polls open at Westminster Canterbury on Election Day.
Starting on September 18, absentee ballots will start to be mailed to individuals who requested one through the Vote by Mail Application. The options for returning the absentee ballot are by either mailing it back via United States Postal Service or by hand delivering it to the Registrar’s Office.
The Henrico County Registrar’s Office is located at 4305 East Parham Road, Room 105, Henrico, VA 23228. Once you arrive, you may take your ballot into the government office, present your photo ID and drop your ballot in the designated box. For those who need assistance, you may call the Henrico County Registrar’s Office directly at (804) 501-4347 and a representative will meet you at your vehicle, check your photo ID and drop your ballot in the designated box for you.
If you choose to vote in person on Tuesday, November 3, you must bring your unopened absentee ballot with you to your polling location. If you are unable to provide your absentee ballot that you received in advance of the election, you may cast a provisional ballot. By casting a provisional ballot, election officials will be able to confirm that an absentee ballot was not turned in to the Henrico County Registrar’s Office or Richmond City Registrar’s Office (depending on your voting precinct). Your vote will be counted the next day once officials make this determination.
If you have any questions, please contact the Henrico County Registrar’s Office (804) 501-4347 or the Richmond City Registrar’s Office (804) 646-5950.
Grocery Shuttle
We continue to offer the Grocery Shuttle, Monday through Friday. You must register in advance at the Tower or Center Desks. Starting in October, we will visit the Kroger Marketplace on Staples Mill Road every Tuesday.
Deliveries from Family and Friends
As a reminder to our families, especially those with loved ones in Assisted Living or Parsons Health Center, we offer assistance with deliveries from family and friends on Fridays only.
Welcome New Residents
Moving is difficult no matter what. Can you imagine moving to a new home, a new community and way of living in the middle of a pandemic? Please help us welcome our new residents who have joined us in recent months.
• 16 move-ins since the COVID-19 pandemic began (April-August)
• 11 move-ins for the month of September
Logan Augustine
Pastoral Care Updates
Small group discussions on racial justice and understanding, facilitated by resident volunteers, are beginning again from September 28-November 6. Sessions last around 90 minutes. Articles are provided for reading prior to the sessions. Call Vanessa Perry at ext. 1502 to register by Wednesday, September 23.
Please join us for Worship on TV970 on Thursday, September 17, at 10:30 a.m. The Rev. Jenny te Velde will be preaching, The Rev. Dr. Lynn McClintock will assist and Susie Frazer will play the piano.
Prayer
Loving God, we thank you that you are with us throughout all of the seasons of our lives. As the temperatures cool and as the leaves change colors and fall, we find comfort in knowing that you are changeless. Through pandemic, national turmoil and unrest, may we turn to you for wisdom and strength. May we rest in your changelessness. As we live into these difficult and uncertain days, which at times never seem to end, help us to know that in you, night is always followed by morning and that cold and darkness are always followed by warmth and new life. While we yearn for the turning of a new leaf and for all things to be made new, give us patience and grace in this time to see you in the face of everyone we meet. For new life, for grace, and for your eternal changelessness, we give thanks, O God. Amen.