SENIOR LIVING WARNINGS

Open communication key to saving lives

By Rebecca Aguilar

Nursing homes and assisted living facilities in Dallas are taking measures to protect their residents from the coronavirus. The recent coronavirus deaths at a Washington State nursing home suggest the elderly have a higher risk of contracting the deadly disease. 

Brookdale Senior Living has facilities in North Texas, including White Rock, Lake Highlands and Preston Road. It is already taking precautionary measures to protect elderly residents from COVID-19. Heather Hunter, the public relations officer for the company, says they are following guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “Right now, our main focus is prevention … this includes reminders about flu vaccines, washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, staying home when sick and taking flu antivirals as prescribed.” 

Hunter says they have re-educated their staff on disease prevention efforts, informed suppliers regarding safety requirements and are limiting significant group events. Brookdale has also canceled planned outings for residents. As for visitors, Hunter says they are counting on family members who have been sick to stay home. “We will be following all local and state guidelines when it comes to visitor protocol.” Brookdale now has posters at entrances reminding visitors not to enter the building if they have any symptoms or known exposure with COVID-19 or if they have returned from affected areas in the past two weeks. 

Sage Oak Assisted Living has homes for the elderly in Lakewood, Lake Highlands and three other Dallas locations. Jovann Blackwell, the resident care coordinator, says Sage Oak is staying on top of the latest information from the CDC. “The motive is to make sure that everyone we are involved with, whether it’s residents, family, staff members and outside entities, are well informed of the virus and different precautions we can take to prevent any outbreak and keep our residents safe.”

Blackwell says residents and staff have been reminded of the basics of hand washing and sanitizing. “We’re also following the trend of the virus, and its location, to make sure our staff is aware that being in those areas could potentially expose them to the virus.” Residents at Sage Oak are between the ages of 70 and 95 years old.

CDC Guidelines for 

Nursing Homes and 

Senior Living Facilities

There are an estimated 2.5 million people living in nursing homes and senior living facilities in the country. Dallas County has more than 125,000 citizens over 65 years old, 10.7 percent of the city’s population. 

The CDC has issued strict guidelines to keep the COVID-19 virus from getting into a facility for the elderly. Nursing homes and Senior Living homes are being advised to post signs at the entrances to inform visitors not to visit if they are sick or have a respiratory infection. Employees should be informed about their sick-leave policies that allow them to stay home if they have symptoms of respiratory infection. 

The CDC also has guidelines to help prevent the spread of respiratory germs inside a nursing home or senior living facility. One key measure is to have open communication with residents and employees, and keep them informed about the steps the facility is taking to protect everyone from the deadly disease. Managers are also advised to monitor residents and staff for fever and respiratory symptoms. 

Brookdale Senior Living in Dallas has taken the unique steps of posting videos to keep staff, residents and family members informed on what it is doing to protect those inside the facilities. The videos include a message from the company’s CEO and President Cindy Baier, who assures the public they are taking the right steps to protect those who live and work at Brookdale. “Your health and safety are our top priorities,” she says. 

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