On behalf of Mary Ann and the others on the Wildwood leadership team, please note the following message:
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- Written by Tom Schreck
Dear Wildwood Families,
I hope that you and your family are well during these trying times.
As the number of COVID-19 infections grows in our region, we are experiencing occurrences as well. They have been limited and contained, but we wanted to update you and reassure you that we are working with our local health departments to minimize the possibility of further spread of the virus.
Since Thanksgiving, we have had four staff test positive for COVID-19--one each in two of our residential programs, one in our community habilitation program, and most recently, one in our New Karner day habilitation program. We have also had two people we support test positive--a student in our Building 4 Young Adult Program, and a person in one of the residences where there was also a positive staff test. In all staff cases, the staff are isolating at home until they are medically cleared to return to work.
In the house where a resident tested positive, the individual is isolated and the other residents are being quarantined in their rooms. That resident is currently asymptomatic and the staff member that had also tested positive from that residence has very mild symptoms. The staff’s last day at the residence was November 28.
(For the sake of clarity, the term "Isolation" refers to separating sick people with a contagious disease from people who are not sick. The term "Quarantine" refers to separating and restricting the movement of people who were exposed to a contagious disease to see if they become sick.)
All safety protocols and procedures were in place and being followed throughout all our programs and sites.
Anyone who has been in contact with any of the people who tested positive has been notified. All residents, their families and affected staff have been notified of the positive tests and have been given directions about how to proceed. Enhanced disinfecting measures are being taken and the staff is following all outlined protocols and procedures.
Please note that The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and other privacy laws restrict us from disclosing any personally identifiable information regarding positive cases or mandatory quarantine.
We are doing all we can at this time and our number one priority is keeping the people we support and our staff members safe.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Sincerely,
Lou
Executive Management shares info and updates through virtual Town Halls
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- Written by Rebecca Shurtleff
Throughout the month of November, Wildwood's Executive Management team hosted several virtual "Town Halls" where families, staff, and community members could tune in to learn more about the current status of Wildwood and ask questions that would be answered by leadership. If you missed them or were unable to attend, a video that recaps the meetings has been shared to our YouTube page! Find a compilation that covers all the topics and questions asked here: https://youtu.be/
Making Adjustments to Holiday Traditions
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- Written by Rebecca Shurtleff
Contributed by Maggie Pascucci
As the world faces the uncertainties and challenges brought forth by a global pandemic this year, we yearn for the comfort and camaraderie often found in holiday celebrations. While each person, each family, each community defines what holiday traditions mean for them, the celebrations of 2020 and 2021 will likely look and feel different for most of us.
With this comes the question: how can we mark the occasion of holidays and maintain their warm feelings while practicing measures that keep us and our loved ones safe?
Creativity will be key. If our traditional celebrations are unable to happen, we can consider alternatives that pose lower risk of spreading or becoming infected with COVID-19. Most of us have become regular users of online meetings, and platforms that can support a virtual gathering. These platforms could be used to share a holiday meal at a planned day and time.
Perhaps we can decide on an activity or ritual that all family members engage in, and later share the experience with a brief photo or video during a group chat. Sharing special food is a universal holiday experience; sending recipes to family or friends ahead of time, or hosting an online cooking demonstration of a favorite holiday dish, may be a way to share experiences with a group. Providing a meal or sending a care package to a loved one or neighbor that can be delivered outside a door may not be the way we envisioned sharing a holiday meal, but it is a gesture filled with love.
As we begin the holiday season, consider discussing plans early with the people who are your usual holiday companions. We each have a sense of what feels comfortable and safe for us and the members of our household, and wider families and communities may have differing views on how to celebrate. While disappointments may occur when people aren’t on the same page, at least no one will be caught off guard, and plans can be made to ensure everyone stays safe, within their comfort levels, and as happy as possible considering the circumstances.
However different our celebrations this year may be, one thing that hasn’t changed is the meaning behind them; there is still the opportunity to connect with others and share joy. Perhaps our creative solutions to mark the day as “special” and unlike any others will lead to new traditions to include in our holiday celebrations in the years to come.