L’DOR V’DOR F A M I LY, E D U C A T I O N A N D S E N I O R L I V I N G
PORCH VISITS ALLOW LOVED ONES TO CONNECT By Kari Bell, River Garden Senior Services
Since early March, River Garden has been following directives, rules, regulations, mandates and executive orders from the governor, CMS, CDC, DOH and AHCA detailing the many ways to protect our residents and families from COVID-19. We have taken our responsibility seriously. Everyone on our campus has been working together to keep each other safe by washing hands, physically distancing and wearing masks. We are grateful to the entire community for the outpouring of support, patience and understanding. We are still under the executive order which prohibits visitors from entering the nursing home building. However, we can allow porch visits on our
Above: If needed, amplifiers are provided to help with communication. Right: Despite the plexi-glass barrier and distancing requirements, it is heartwarming to see loved ones reconnect in person.
campus. Porch visits began on July 30. River Garden is using an online system called SignUpGenius to schedule these visits. An email invitation is sent to the resident’s primary contact, who can then link to the schedule to select a visitation time. Only two visits are conducted at a time. Before these get-togethers, visitors receive temperature checks and answer screening questions. Hugs or other physical contact is not allowed. At the start, we are allowing each resident one 20-minute visit. As the program develops, we hope to offer more frequent visitation. “We have missed all of our friends and family, and we are excited to thoughtfully and carefully invite you back onto the campus,” associate administrator Mauri Mizrahi said.
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