NewAldaya Lifescapes Frequently Asked Questions – This document will be updated on a weekly basis. Current as of January 14, 2021.
NewAldaya Update
Despite the declining Black Hawk County positivity rate, NAL has suffered greatly from nearly 8 weeks of high county positivity rates and community spread. County rates began rising the latter half of October, peaking at an astonishing 27% in early November, and continue to hover around 13% presently.
What does this mean for NewAldaya? The Bryhl and Residential Living neighborhoods continue with Phase 3 precautions. Our healthcare facility team valiantly held off the onset of a second outbreak from June until mid-November, at which time our defenses were overwhelmed by rampant community spread. The current outbreak of virus cases is contained within the nursing facility, and our healthy team members are working diligently to mitigate the spread to both residents and staff. No small task, with an invisible enemy. The days and weeks are long and arduous. There is fatigue, physical and emotional. Nonetheless, we persevere for our residents, patients, family members and one another. We’re ever mindful that people depend on us.
There is a glimmer of light at the end of this long, dark tunnel. This past weekend, FDA gave final approval of the Pfizer vaccine. Phase 1a of the state plan prioritizes vaccine distribution and vaccination of long-term care workers and residents. Our community has registered with the National Partnership for Long-Term Care and will partner with CVS to administer allocated vaccine for NewAldaya staff and residents. Per the distribution schedule, NewAldaya anticipates vaccine arrival for our program the week of December 28th. We’re working with our CVS partners to develop the NewAldaya vaccination plan; additional information will be forthcoming as details are finalized.
Moreover, NewAldaya has registered Bryhl Assisted Living and Residential Living (Independent Living) tenants and residents to participate in a COVID vaccination program, anticipated to begin in late January or early February, as the state plan advances to Phase 1b. More information will be provided, as we receive it. Please see the links listed below for additional information about the vaccine and Iowa’s vaccination plan.
Although our spirits are bolstered by the arrival of the vaccine, the program’s success is contingent on public participation. Saving lives, gathering with loved ones, and living fully are within reach. We’ll get there sooner, together. We strongly encourage everyone to utilize credible resources, including your primary care team, as you research information about the vaccine. It’s extremely important to make an informed decision, both for you and others.
https://idph.iowa.gov/Portals/1/userfiles/61/covid19/vaccine/Vaccine_Brief_Vaccine_Dec3_2020_Fin.pdf
Important COVID-19 Communications
Consistent with CMS guidance, our COVID-19 activity reports include any cases of active COVID-19 among our staff and residents.
|
Neighborhood: Extended Care |
Resident Active COVID-19 Cases |
Staff Active COVID-19 Cases |
|
Harbor/River Ridge Extended Care |
0 |
1 |
|
Brook Extended Care |
1 |
1 |
|
Cascade Extended Care |
0 |
0 |
|
Memory Care House |
0 |
0 |
|
Neighborhood: Post-Acute Care |
||
|
Bay/Bay Suites Post-Acute Care |
0 | 1 |
|
Neighborhood: Assisted Living |
||
|
Bryhl Assisted Living |
0 | 0 |
|
Neighborhood: Independent Living |
||
|
Sena Rownd |
0 | 0 |
|
Glen Arbor |
0 | 0 |
|
Glen Meadows |
0 | 0 |
|
Park Ridge Ranches
|
0 |
0 |
|
Ancillary |
1 |
1. Since May, (77) seventy-seven total nursing facility residents were diagnosed with COVID -19; (63) sixty-three have fully recovered.
2. Since April, a total of (106) one-hundred-six NAL staff members were diagnosed with COVID-19 and (102) one-hundred-two have recovered.
3. County positivity rate is above 10% and employees are tested twice a week. A positive employee test requires all nursing facility residents to be tested. Staff and resident testing will continue this week, per current guidance.
Thank you.
Q. Are you testing all residents and staff?
A. See above.
Q. Does NAL have sufficient PPE?
A. We began receiving manufactured PPE the week of April 13 and currently have sufficient supplies to meet immediate needs. PPE inventory is tracked and reported daily to Iowa Department of Public Health. This process allows us to work collectively to meet continued needs.
Q. Do all staff wear masks and PPE?
A. All staff must wear face masks while working in any resident setting. Additionally, face shields are worn in the Bryhl and Nursing Facility and by Home Connections workers when providing services in our residential neighborhoods. A full complement of PPE is required for staff caring for residents who’ve been placed in isolation for any reason.
Residents are encouraged to wear masks in all resident settings.
Q. Are you informing residents and families when a resident was in direct contact with a staff member who tests positive for the virus?
A. Residents who had direct contact with a staff member who tests positive for the virus are individually notified as well as their primary contacts. All NAL community residents, tenants, primary contacts and staff are notified when a positive COVID-19 diagnosis is received, and/or 3 or more residents and/or staff have new onset of symptoms of illness within 72 hours of one another. At least weekly, the above contact groups are updated regarding cumulative COVID -19 activity including: total, active and recovered COVID -19 cases among staff and residents. Current information can also be found on NewAldaya’s Face Book page and website: www.NewAldaya.org.
Q. How is an “outbreak” defined?
A. Iowa Department of Public Health defines an outbreak as three residents that test positive within a building.
Q. How do I contact a loved one?
A. If your loved has a telephone or other communication device, we encourage you to have regular contact with them. For those residents without a telephone, our program team is doing its best to offer video-chat calls for residents and families on a regular basis. However, due to a number of factors, we are not able to schedule video-chat appointments at this time.
Q. Can I visit a NewAldaya resident?
A. NewAldaya Nursing Facility
Bryhl Assisted Living:
The Bryhl continues phase 3 of its reopening plan.
Residential (Independent Living:
Q. Where can I find the most current visitor information?
A. NAL is providing communications on both our website and social media pages to inform the public of changes to visiting guidelines and operations.
Q. Are you accepting appointments for residential living, nursing facility and Bryhl tours?
Q. Is Main Street open?
Q. Are you still screening staff and visitors?
Q. Are Chapel services being held?
A. Chapel services have resumed. All current public health precautions are in effect: Social distancing, seating for groups, cleaning, etc.
Q. Is the Wellness Center open?
A. The Wellness Center is open to the public. All current public health precautions with regard to these spaces are in effect: Social distancing, seating for groups, cleaning, etc.
Q. Is the Salon open?
A. The Salon is open by appointment only. Please call 319.553-2210 to schedule your service. All current public health precautions with regard to salons are in effect: Social distancing, face coverings, cleaning, etc.
Q. Are Friday Night Live Performances resuming?
A. Elm's Pub is closed and Friday Night Live performances have been canceled until September 20th per the Governor's proclamation.
River Rock Cafe is open to the public offering a full menu as well as a choice of non-alcholic or alcoholic beverages.
Q. If I am committed to a volunteer activity, what should I do?
A. Thank you in advance for your continued and loyal commitment to our residents and community.
As the NAL community has varying reopening timelines and phases relative to its resident neighborhoods and facilities, NAL staff will contact volunteers directly during the coming weeks.