It is hard to believe that we are commemorating the one year anniversary of this Covid-19 pandemic this week. It has truly been a year of challenge and loss. Throughout this year, we have worked diligently to put the health and safety of our residents and employees above all else. We appreciate everyone’s patience and support as we take steps forward each day.

We are excited to have completed Covid-19 vaccine clinics onsite for all of our campus residents and employees. We continue to monitor residents for signs and symptoms and conduct a Covid test if needed. Daily health screens are done for every employee prior to the start of their shift. Employees are also being tested every four weeks which is in compliance with the Centers for Disease Control recommendation based on the Milwaukee County positivity rate.

As the country’s Covid numbers move in the right direction, so too does our effort to restore services here at VMP. Currently our focus is on visitation, dining services and restoring services in our chapel.

We understand how important visits with your loved ones are. Our Activities Department continues to offer each of our residents a facilitated visit with their loved ones weekly. The format and schedule will work the same as it has since the start of the pandemic, however in addition to the window and virtual options, we are again offering indoor visits. Per the CMS guidelines, we are able to bring two visitors inside at a time in a designated area. A health screen of the visitors will be completed. Indoor visits will be dependent upon individual resident and facility quarantine status, and may need to flex to window or virtual formats at times to ensure safety. For further details, or to set something up please contact Campus Activities (Maplewood 607-4327 or Palmer House 607-4192).

Several small group activities have also resumed. Bingo, a resident favorite, is being held socially distant and with masks in the dining areas. Also, as of this past weekend, residents are able to attend worship service in the chapel if they would like. Designated seating is clearly marked, masks must be worn and a contactless temperature is taken prior to chapel entry. These are just a few of the steps being taken to resume some normalcy in the lives of our residents.

Plans to reopen the dining rooms are currently being outlined by the team. Our goal is to resume a safe communal dining experience by the end of March.

As we have since the beginning, we continue to offer every assurance that VMP Healthcare & Community Living will be following all recommendations and will act in the best interests of our entire community. We closely monitor all information from the West Allis Public Health Dept., WI Department of Health Services, as well as from federal agencies, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

We are excited to make this progress, however we must stay the course with our commitment to the safety and well-being of our residents and employees. All infection control guidelines remain in place: wearing masks, hand hygiene and socially distancing.

In addition to emails and letters, please go to our new updated website (www.vmpcares.com) for more information and ongoing updates.
As a reminder, the following items are in place throughout the VMP community.

OUR RESIDENTS

• As of March 12, our dining rooms have been closed. Meal trays are being delivered to our Palmer House and Maplewood residents. The dining room in Wesley Park has been closed. The Bistro has been re-opened with limited hours and options. Meals are being provided “to go” for our independent living residents.
•  There are no outside groups permitted to enter the campus for the purpose of entertainment, education, taxes, church services or other events.
• The Stafford Center is closed.
• Mail will be delivered to the communications center and delivered to rooms.
• Essential healthcare workers such as those that work for hospice, lab, x-ray, pharmacy or home health will be able to work with residents on a case by case basis and will be subjected to health screening upon entry.
• There will be no outings until further notice.
• Transportation will be available for essential medical treatments and groceries.
• Care Conferences with residents and families will be by phone until further notice.
• All new admissions or readmissions in Maplewood Health Center are given private accommodations for their initial 14 days and monitored for symptoms.
• Wesley Park residents are asked to complete a health screening upon return from any outside appointment or outing.

OUR STAFF

• Our staff has completed the CDC Infection Control Facility Assessment to ensure we are in compliance with all aspects of infection control.
• We have documented current competencies on ALL staff for hand hygiene and use of PPE, including when to use, how to apply and how to remove and dispose of properly.
• Every single person entering our building is screened- employee, vendor, surveyor, family member for end of life compassionate care visit.
• Additionally, we ask staff who are sick to stay at home until they are no longer contagious.
• No one may enter the campus, except through the 4 designated entrances- Maplewood Main entrance, Palmer House Main Entrance, and the 2 main entrances of WP. There are no exceptions for anyone.
• All staff MUST wear a face mask at all times when in the facility.
• All staff are trained on signs and symptoms of recognizing COVID and what to report.
• All staff are trained on when to place some on isolation and how to place them in isolation, how to communicate the isolation to all staff immediately.

OUR CAMPUS

• We focus on keeping rooms and common areas as clean and sanitized as possible to prevent the spread of germs. We have increased the frequency of the sanitization.
• Our kitchens follow NSF-approved dishwashing techniques.
• All staff members are trained in techniques to prevent the spread of germs specific to their individual roles in serving residents in our communities.
• VMP has specialized electrostatic machines, called a Novaerus, which will routinely be used to disinfect common area surfaces.
• We added more touchless hand sanitizer stations in our common areas.

OUR COMMUNITY

• In compliance with the CDC and DPH, we are not allowing non-essential visitors in our facility at this time.

What can I do to help during this time?

With the shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE), we are asking for the support of our community during this time. Your support will tremendously help to protect our residents and our staff on the frontline.

We are currently accepting

• Any face masks (N95, Surgical, Homemade)
• Gloves
• Gowns
• Hand Sanitizer that is at least 70% alcohol
• Sanitizing Wipes
• Toilet Paper
• Paper Towels
• Bleach
• Gloves
• Cash Donations

Donations can be brought to VMP Healthcare & Community Living.
3023 S. 84th Street
West Allis, WI 53227

Items can be placed in the barrels located between the sliding doors at the main entrance from 8:00 a.m. – 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.
If there are any additional questions or concerns, please feel free to call us at (414) 607-4100 or email us at vmp.healthcare@vmp.org.