Weekly Update March 19, 2021

March 19, 2021

To: Solheim Employees, Residents, Family Members and Stakeholders
From: Sam Oden, CEO of Solheim Senior Community

The biggest news to report this week is that we have made substantial changes to our visitation policies, based on new guidelines provided from relevant government agencies—and I think you will find that they are cause for celebration!  We appreciate your patience as we implement these new guidelines, and, as always, we ask for your partnership and diligence in following these rules:

If a resident has been fully vaccinated, they may have “in-room” visits.

If a resident has been fully vaccinated, and all of their visitors have also been fully vaccinated, then limited direct physical contact (i.e., a hug, touching, assistance with care needs, etc.) is also permissible.

Any personal “in-room” visits in our Health Center should be scheduled in common areas, or when the roommate is out of the room.

All visitors must still continue to wear masks at all times, practice social distancing, and schedule your visit with Kathy Rust at KathyR@solheimsenior.org.

All visitors must still continue check in when they arrive on campus (including temperature and screening questions) and sign our COVID-19 waiver.

We will still continue to limit visits to 30 minutes maximum, whenever possible.

We still continue to encourage outdoor visits or visits in our common areas as much as possible.

Should you have any questions about these new guidelines, please contact Tina Antypas at tantypas@solheimsenior.org, or Meg Pierce at mpierce@solheimsenior.org.

I know our residents are also ecstatic about the re-opening of our revamped Beauty Salon!  Renovations have just been completed, and we are now once again able to schedule visits for our residents’ haircuts, sets, shampoo, etc. Our other campus renovation projects are also moving ahead, as I mentioned in last week’s communication.

We are excited to be selecting our first Employee of the Quarter next month.  You still have the opportunity to recognize a special employee of your choice by obtaining a form at the front desk, or at any of our nursing stations.  All nominations for our first award should be submitted by no later than March 31st. 

As I mentioned last week, one of our goals this year is to create a new opportunity for you to make a difference here at Solheim.  To that end, we are starting Employee Education Assistance Fund, which will allow us to help support Solheim staff members as they further their own educations.  As Barbara Rogers (a current Solheim resident and Board Member) notes: “Education is so important, and I think our staff deserve every opportunity to continue and expand their learning!”  Barbara will be spearheading our resident-led Employee Education Assistance Fund Committee, and I’d like to thank her very much in advance for the wonderful job that I know she will do leading this worthwhile charge.  If you’d like to make a gift to this Fund, please contact Tina Antypas at tantypas@solheimsenior.org. 

Members of the Solheim Leadership team have decided to kick off this fundraising effort with a matching gift challenge up to $3,125!

As of today’s writing, I am very happy to report that we have no new confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 anywhere on campus. 

If you have any specific questions, please direct them to Tina Antypas at 323 257-7518 X225 or tantypas@solheimsenior.org.