Preparations Against COVID-19

Dear Shady Oaks Community,

This letter shares important updates for our home. A highly contagious and lethal disease, COVID-19, we will fight it. Shady Oaks provides strong nursing in a cozy and loyal home. We will live our values and defend our home. We have taken several steps.

First, we reinforced our supplies. Over the past six weeks, we bought masks, gloves, gowns, and eye protection. We stored up food, air purifiers, alcohol sanitizers, anti-viral tissues, and over-bed tables. We also readied oxygen condensers, air mattresses, and medications.

Next, we limited people entering our building. On 12 March, we began restrictions for families, therapists, and deliveries. On 22 March, 18 staff members moved into our home, and they will live here for up to 2 months. This week, we had zero people entering our home.

We then made new ways for social engagement. We hosted entertainers on our smart TVs. We bought IPads and connected families over FaceTime. Our onsite staff now volunteer to help residents with phone calls. We are creating procedures for in-person family visits at glass doors.

We are also strengthening practices for infection control. Our staff conducted more training for handwashing, using masks, and recognizing COVID-19. We monitor daily health of both staff and residents. We have extra cleaning hours. If needed, we have quarantine rooms ready.

Our immediate goal is to have zero on-site infections for two months. We will thereby survive the possible peak stress for hospitals and our hospice partners, so we can soon reach a time when warmer weather might reduce COVID-19 transmissions and testing becomes more available.

Our long-term goal is to be a reliable and desirable sanctuary. We will be safer than nursing homes with their large staffs and rotating rehab residents. We will be safer than huge assisted living homes that have fewer controls. Our costs will increase, but our home will be safer.

I am deeply committed. My parents built our home 45 years ago. My mom may soon be here. I am taking loans from my savings and working hard. We will lead our home toward safety. If you have questions, please call my cell phone at 860-960-7321 or our office at 860-583-1526.

See featured press here!

Very Respectfully,
Tyson Francis Belanger