SRG’s Preventative Response to COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
03-6-2020

At SRG, the health and wellness of our residents and staff members is our top priority. And, as concerns about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) increase, we would like to address the preventative actions we can all take to help contain the spread of this illness. 

First, it is important to recognize that there have not been any employees or residents at our SRG senior living communities diagnosed with COVID-19.  In addition, we have been practicing flu precautions within all of our communities since the beginning of the flu season to help prevent influenza outbreaks, which are widespread throughout the U.S. These precautions are added on top of our already rigorous control practices.

As recommended, one of the ways to help limit the impact of this illness is to follow the everyday preventive practices that you would for a respiratory disease such as influenza, including:

• Washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
  • If soap and water are not available, using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. We are suggesting all visitors wash their hands or use the hand sanitizer upon visiting the community.
• Avoiding close contact with people who are sick
• Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
• Covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue.
  • Be sure to throw the tissue in the trash, and wash your hands after.
• Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces
• Staying home when you are sick
• If you have not already done so, you may also want to consider getting the flu shot.
  • A flu shot is one of the best overall ways to protect our residents from influenza and its complications. Multitudes of data support the flu shot as a way to dramatically reduce the risk of contracting influenza, but it is always advisable to consult with your physician first to confirm it is appropriate for you. While the current flu shot may not affect the Coronavirus, it can lessen the risk of the influenza virus, which sickens and hospitalizes thousands of people every year.

Throughout our communities, you will see:

• Digital guest registration system with questions about recent travel. We ask that both residents and visitors use the system whenever entering or exiting the community.  (If you have traveled abroad within the last 14 days, we ask that you consider postponing a visit to the community.)
• Additional hand sanitizing stations readily available and throughout our communities.
• Displays highlighting preventative measures and an awareness of potential symptoms throughout our communities.
• Repeated employee training and re-education on appropriate prevention methods with particular emphasis on cleaning.
• Enhanced cleaning procedures focusing on frequency and disinfecting with particular emphasis on surfaces that are commonly touched, such as door handles, touch screens, phones, keyboards, closet doors, rest rails, handrails, countertops, faucet handles.
• Working to ensure additional supportive supplies and perishables are stocked and available, if needed.  
• Encouraging family members and friends alike to refrain from visiting residents when they are sick─even the common cold can infect others who may be more vulnerable.
• Additional communications and updates via the community phone alert system for residents and family members as well as on our website as needed.  (If you are a resident or family member and have not signed up for this system, please contact your community’s business manager and provide the appropriate contact information if you would like to be included.)
• Training for our residents to take advantage of technology to stay connected with loved ones via FaceTime or Skype.

We greatly appreciate everyone’s cooperation in our efforts to keep our residents as healthy as possible, and we realize that during this time, that goal works best if we all work together to protect the health of our residents.