- Good afternoon Fowler Family!
- COVID UPDATE:
- As of yesterday, November 18, 2020, Dallas County Health and Human Services is reporting 947 additional positive cases of COVID-19 in Dallas County, 786 confirmed cases and 161 probable cases as well as 19 deaths
- There is a cumulative total of111,960 cases (PCR test), including 1,162 confirmed deaths.
- Dallas County has reported a 14% positivity rate this week – this impacts our frequency of testing in our licensed areas and guides our decisions here at Fowler
- FOWLER UPDATES:
- Essential Visitations have started in the Pearl Nordan Care Center
- We are required to provide these visitation opportunities by state regulators
- I know that this seems to contradict what we have said for the last 45 weeks
- Only 9% of our families have asked for a visit
- The choices our families are having to make are not optimal – they are quite difficult
- Do we protect our loved on from the virus?
- Or do we protect them from detachment from family and isolation
- Both can have dire impact on older adults
- Both are scientifically supported
- I understand your fears and I support the choices each family makes in this regard
- We will continue to offer what we know to be the greatest opportunity to mitigate risk of contracting and spreading COVID
- That brings us to the next touch choice – what to do for the upcoming holidays
- We will not stop anyone from leaving to have Thanksgiving dinner with their family – our residents have choices
- I do want to let you know that CMS has recommended that individuals residing in nursing and assisted living facilities should not attend family gatherings
- The CDC has recommended that individuals at highest risk for COVID, should refrain from dining with individuals outside of their immediate household
- As I have said before, our responsibility to you is to provide you with the facts as we know them so that you can make an informed decision
- Your health is our greatest responsibility
- Should you choose to leave Fowler, please be aware of your increased potential risk for being exposed to, or contracting, COVID-19
- You and your loved ones are encouraged to follow infection control and prevention procedures to increase your own personal safety while enjoying your time away with family – or even going to a medical appointment
- What you can do to protect yourself and others while you are away:
- Wear a facemask or face covering over your nose and mouth
- Perform hand hygiene often, using alcohol gel with at least 60% alcohol if unable to wash hands
- Practice proper cough and sneeze etiquette
- Practice physical distancing (maintaining at least 6 ft. between yourself and others)
- Avoid large gatherings. Anyone with signs or symptoms of COVID-19 should stay at home
- Be aware of others who may potentially or actually have COVID-19.
- Report any contact with another person who may potentially or actually have COVID-19
- Do not have buffet style meals
- Additionally, the CDC recommends outdoor dining
- Should you leave, you will be screened upon return for your safety and the safety of others
- Questions you will be asked on return to ensure your safety and the safety of others:
- Were you in crowded spaces whether that be in public or at a large household gathering?
- Were you unable to maintain a physical distance of at least 6 feet from someone who was not wearing a facemask (excluding mealtimes) when you were out in public or visiting with others in a household?
- Did you encounter anyone who tested positive for COVID-19 within the last 14 days or who does not yet meet CDC end-of-isolation criteria?
- Did you encounter anyone who was exhibiting any symptoms related to COVID-19 whether that be in a public or at a household gathering?
- If you are an assisted living resident and you are gone overnight, you will quarantine for 14 days upon return in your apartment
- If you are an independent living resident, based on your responses to the screening questions, you may be asked to quarantine in your apartment for 14 days
- We have a handout of this information that will be provided to each of you so that you can make the best possible decision for your health and wellbeing
- PS Salons are back! Additional beauticians are being provided currently to get everybody caught up and once everyone is caught up, we will have a single consistent beautician rotating through Fowler
- Today, we welcome the Greater East Dallas Chamber of Commerce who is coming to do a short video as part of their Opening the Doors Series.
- These videos highlight local businesses who are open for business
- Tammy Oliver represents Fowler at the Chamber and she nominated Fowler to be included in this video series – thank you Tammy for your representation of Fowler and for thinking of a creative way to highlight Fowler and encourage others to move here
- The pandemic has impacted our occupancy – for safety and protection of everyone, we paused our move-ins for several months in the spring and summer
- Like everything else, we have been able to develop new ways to provide tours and move-in protocols designed to mitigate risk – so as the video series says – We are open!
- This is yet another way we are learning to live along side of COVID – our business must continue
- We have apartment availability in Jackson Living Center and in our assisted living and skilled nursing in Pearl Nordan Care Center
- We have launched a new advertising campaign that is testimonial based – real words from our residents and families that speak to the hesitation someone might have I moving to a senior community at this time
- Mille K and her son and daughter in law Gary and Joan were featured in our first ad and Mille’s family stated “It’s the Best Decision we could have made”
- Don M and Richard S along with their children, Don Jr and Shelbie M will be featured in our next ad
- Norma and Bill M frequently post on Facebook about their life at Fowler – thank you Norma and Bill for sharing your happiness and your positivity
- Susan T – you too post frequently about your happy life at “Shady Pines” – thank you!
- Many of you comment that you love it here – keep it up
- We can buy advertising, we can buy direct mail postcards, we cannot buy your word of mouth – and that is invaluable!
- If you have friends who still live in the greater community, encourage them to be your neighbor, encourage them to join you here at Fowler
- Tomorrow is our final board meeting of the year – our board has been meeting by Zoom this year and we will continue that tomorrow as well
- RESIDENT BIRTHDAYS!
- 11/19 Mille K (JLC)
- 11/21 Rosalind L (FCA)
- 11/22 Malinda C(FCA)
- 11/24 Wilma J (FCA)
- 11/24 Pamela M (FCA)
- 11/25 Inge E (JLC)
- 11/25 Aleen J (PNCC)
- 11/25 Vivian (Prue) (PNCC)
- RESIDENT MOVE-IN ANNIVERSARIES:
- Della B- 6 years
- Jeanette C- 4 years
- We cannot live in the house of love and the house of fear at the same time
- Make it a great day on purpose!
All COVID Updates are posted on our website – www.fowlercommunities.org/covid19/
COVID Hotline: Phone: 214-515-7184 • Spanish Speaking Line: 214-515-1385
Email: Covid19info@fowlercommunities.org
COVID-19 Mental Health Support Line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week toll-free at 833-986-1919
