As Pennsylvania continues its reopening process, Senior Day Services looks forward to resuming many of our services for older adults in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Below, we’ll share everything we know (so far) about how and when we’re planning to reopen our on-site adult day care services program while remaining committed to the safety of our staff, clients and their loved ones.
When will the On-Site Adult Day Care Services reopen?
We opened our on-site adult day care services and programming gradually, accepting our first return clients beginning on Tuesday, July 21 and Thursday, July 23, 2020. As of October 2020, we are once again open and fully operational 5 days per week. Guidelines from the Pennsylvania Department of Aging allow adult day care centers to open in service areas that have transitioned to the Green Phase. With that in mind, our opening date plan allow our clients to return to a safe social environment as families begin to return to their regular daily routines. However, we will continue to monitor the situation and will keep you informed of any changes that may occur.
What safety preparations for clients and staff were made before reopening?
Prior to reopening, Senior Day Services cleaned and disinfected the center and center-owned vehicles for infection control according to Pennsylvania Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines. Nurses and aides returned a few days prior to opening, receive new training and thoroughly prepare the day care for client arrival.
Will there be daily health screenings for clients and staff?
Upon arrival, all clients and staff must sign in and complete a COVID-19 screening process, answering questions and having their temperature taken by a staff member. If anyone is displaying symptoms or has a fever (> 100° F for the purposes of this check), we will ask them not to attend that day and monitor their health and symptoms at home.
What precautions must clients and staff take while at the center?
All staff members will wear masks while at the center, and we ask that clients also wear masks if they are able. We will enforce social distancing practices—for example, only one client will be seated at each table—and proper respiratory etiquette for coughing or sneezing. We will also limit personal items coming into the day program and disinfect any necessary personal items.
What cleaning procedures will occur regularly?
Senior Day Services will conduct ongoing cleaning of frequently touched surfaces (e.g. tables, doorknobs, light switches, handles, desks, toilets, faucets, sinks and cell phones). Staff members will always use strict hand hygiene after contact with participants and high-touch areas.
What types of activities and services will be available?
We will be reducing some of the activities if we are unable to sanitize items after use. Our recreation coordinator has been planning socially distant replacement activities to keep clients active and engaged. In particular, we plan to use our outdoor spaces more often for various activities and to showcase our garden and patio space. Medical services and therapeutic activities will be available, as will assistance with activities of daily living and personal care. We have also created a downloadable at-home BINGO activity for those clients unable to return to the center at this time.
Will meals and snacks still be served?
Yes, meals and snacks will still be served. Meals will be plated and served to all participants by staff who wear appropriate PPE and meet SERV Safe requirements.
What if a staff member or client develops symptoms of COVID-19 while at the center?
If a staff member or client develops symptoms of COVID-19 while at the on-site adult day care center, they will be taken to a designated holding area to wait until they can arrange for transportation. This space is separate from our program areas. After the individual with symptoms has left the center, we will sanitize the holding area, program areas and transportation vehicles (if applicable) following CDC regulations. If the individual tests positive for COVID-19, the program may be temporarily shut down in accordance with Pennsylvania Department of Health and CDC guidelines. Senior Day Services will notify all program participants in this instance.
Will door-to-door transportation still be available?
Yes, door-to-door transportation will still be available.
When should my loved one stay home from Adult Day Care Services?
You should not bring your loved one to Adult Day Care Services if they exhibit the following symptoms:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Diarrhea
- Chills
- Repeated shaking with chills
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- Sore throat
- New loss of taste or smell
Access the CDC Online Symptom checker here.
If your loved one has been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, they should stay home, even if they or the positive individual is asymptomatic. If you, your loved one or other family members is in close contact or tests positive for COVID-19, please notify Senior Day Services immediately by calling (570) 346-7860.
What if my loved one is at especially high risk of getting COVID-19?
Consult your loved one’s medical provider to determine the best plan of action for their care. Our providers will also update your care plans at the center to include additional measures necessary to reduce the risk of infection. According to the CDC, high risk participants include people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions such as:
- People with chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma
- People who have a serious heart condition
- People who are immunocompromised
- Many conditions can cause a person to be immunocompromised, including cancer treatment, smoking, bone marrow or organ transplantation, immune deficiencies, poorly controlled HIV or AIDS, and prolonged use of corticosteroids and other immune weakening medications
- People with severe obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 40 or higher)
- People with diabetes
- People with chronic kidney disease undergoing dialysis
- People with liver disease
If you have further questions, please feel free to reach out to Julie Condrad, Director of Adult Day Care and In-home Personal Care Operations at (570) 346-7860 or j.condrad@telespond.org. To learn more about caring for older adults during COVID-19, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Aging website. We look forward to safely welcoming our clients and staff back to our on-site day care program soon.
* updated July 15, 2020 *