Update 5.28.2020
May 28, 2020
Plymouth Place™ Friends and Family,
This Memorial Day weekend was understandably a different experience for our community. Despite the challenges of this pandemic, we felt it was important to observe the holiday and honor those heroes who died in military service for our country. Additionally, as the unofficial start of summer, the long weekend brought a rare opportunity for a temporary, but welcomed, distraction.
Throughout Sunday and Monday, residents and team members responsibly enjoyed a variety of outdoor games, music and amazing food. While social distanced activities and events were a reminder of this virus’ continued presence, they still brought moments of joy, levity and a sense of normalcy we’ve all craved recently.
Further to our update last week, we completed testing of all assisted living residents on the second floor, and thankfully – just like our Health Care Center results – all returned negative for COVID-19. We continue to closely observe and monitor these residents and those in Greg’s Place, and will continue to follow all guidance and recommendations from the CDC and IDPH.
Just as there are two sides to every coin, we’re constantly balancing the ups with the downs. Since last week, we’ve admitted a few COVID-positive individuals to our Dedicated Isolation Unit (DIU), including an individual from the greater La Grange community. We’ve also identified a COVID-positive team member who is in self-quarantine at home, per our protocols.
I also want to take a moment to clarify a number of inquiries we received about outside admissions to our DIU of neighbors from the greater La Grange community. In the most basic sense, Plymouth Place exists to serve seniors – both on and off our campus.
Based on information and data from our medical directors and health authorities, we’ve decided to make the DIU a permanent provision of care within our Health Care Center. This will allow us to be prepared for any potential flu or COVID challenges in the fall, and have an appropriate environment should residents need to be isolated for a variety of reasons.
We will continue to follow all guidelines from our regional and national health experts to serve residents in this space. This includes dedicated nursing and housekeeping staff, respiratory therapy services, and specific measures and tools focused on sanitization and safety.
Finally, last week I was fortunate to participate in a virtual “fireside chat” with Congressman Mike Quigley, U.S. Representative for Illinois’ 5th Congressional District, about the impact of this pandemic. Plymouth Place residents submitted questions in advance for him to address. We greatly appreciate the Congressman’s time and encourage everyone to listen to the valuable insight he shared on such an important matter for our state and nation.
Stay safe and stay well,
Jay Biere
President/CEO