Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Pinnacle Living has provided regular updates to our website regarding the plans and actions we’ve taken to keep our community safe and informed.
COVID-19 + Visitation Policy Update
Updated: Wednesday, December 14, 2022
We appreciate the support we have received from resident’s, family members, team members and guests over the past several weeks. Because of the change in local positivity levels and the new guidelines recommended by the Virginia Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention we feel comfortable making the following changes:
The COVID team will continue to meet regularly and will review the latest recommendations provided by the Virginia Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and will make adjustments as necessary.
We continue to test team members and residents who present symptoms of the virus. Both symptomatic and asymptomatic team members and residents are isolating as recommended by the CDC.
Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Amy Chapman, Executive Director, at (804) 474 1800.
COVID-19 + Visitation Policy Update
Updated: Tuesday, October 4, 2022 | 2:00 p.m.
We appreciate the support we have received from resident’s family members, team members and guests. Over the last few weeks, we have seen an increase in Covid cases, but all residents have recovered with most only experiencing minor cold like symptoms. The COVID team will continue to meet regularly and will review the recommendations provided by the Virginia Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
As a reminder, because of the close nature of interactions in our neighborhoods, if a resident tests positive and if we are fearful of spread, we may not permit residents residing in that neighborhood to attend meals or activities away from their neighborhoods. If a resident in Assisted Living or Independent Living tests positive, they will be asked to stay in their apartment for a period of time to keep others safe.
We continue to test team members and residents who present symptoms of the virus. Both symptomatic and asymptomatic team members and residents are isolating as recommended by the CDC.
Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Amy Chapman, Executive Director, at (804) 474 1800.
COVID-19 + Visitation Policy Update
Updated: Thursday, September 8, 2022 | 12:00 p.m.
Our team continues to work diligently to limit the number of residents who have been exposed to COVID-19. We appreciate the support we have received from resident’s family members, team members, and guests. The COVID team will continue to meet regularly and will review the recommendations provided by the Virginia Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Our community has recently experienced cases in Assisted Living. Thankfully, most cases have been mild.
As a reminder, because of the close nature of interactions in our neighborhoods, if a resident tests positive and if we are fearful of spread, we may not permit residents residing in that neighborhood to attend meals or activities away from their neighborhoods. If a resident in Assisted Living or Independent Living tests positive, they will be asked to stay in their apartment for a period of time to keep others safe.
As a reminder:
We continue to test team members and residents who present symptoms of the virus. Both symptomatic and asymptomatic team members and residents are isolating as recommended by the CDC.
Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Amy Chapman, Executive Director, at (804) 474 1800.
COVID-19 + Visitation Policy Update
Updated: Wednesday, June 29| 5:00 p.m.
We continue to work diligently to keep our residents and team members safe. Our community has done an exceptional job of limiting the number of residents who have been exposed to COVID-19, and we appreciate the support we have received from residents’ family members and guests. The COVID team will continue to meet regularly and will review the recommendations provided by the Virginia Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Our community has recently had cases in both our Red Bud and McGuire Park neighborhoods. Thankfully, because of our resident’s vaccination status, most cases have been mild.
As a reminder, because of the close nature of interactions within our neighborhoods, if a resident tests positive and if we are fearful of spread, we may not permit residents residing in that neighborhood to attend meals or activities away from their neighborhood. If a resident in Assisted Living or Independent Living tests positive, they will be asked to stay in their apartment for a period of time to keep others safe.
As a reminder:
We continue to test team members and residents who present symptoms of the virus. Both symptomatic and asymptomatic team members and residents are isolating as recommended by the CDC.
Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact your community’s Executive Director.
COVID-19 + Visitation Policy Update
Updated: Wednesday, June 1 | 5:30 p.m.
Our community has done an exceptional job continuing to follow protocol to keep each other safe. The COVID team meets regularly to review the newest information and guidelines provided to us by the Virginia Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We currently have two residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 and are finishing their precautionary isolation period.
The City of Richmond and surrounding counties are hovering at about a 20% positivity rate right now. Fortunately, because of vaccination status, we continue to see the number of hospitalizations due to COVID-19 decline.
As a reminder, because of the close nature of interactions in our neighborhoods, if a resident tests positive in one of our neighborhoods, we are not permitting residents residing in that neighborhood to attend meals or activities away from their neighborhoods. If a resident in Assisted Living or Independent Living tests positive, they will be asked to stay in their apartment for a period of time to keep others safe.
We continue to test team members and residents who present symptoms of the virus. Both symptomatic and asymptomatic team members and residents are isolating as recommended by the CDC.
Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact your community’s Executive Director.
COVID-19 + Visitation Policy Update
Updated: Tuesday, May 24 | 3 p.m.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the safety and well-being of our residents, team members, their families, visitors, and volunteers have been our paramount concern.
With the community being COVID free we share the following guidelines:
All resident visitations will continue in the Visitor Center by appointment by calling the Front Desk at 703-797-3800.
Residents can leave our community for medical appointments and other travel. Be aware that screening and/or rapid testing may be necessary upon your return.
For residents, if you become aware that you have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID, please notify the appropriate team member.
Team members should notify your immediate supervisor.
If you have been exposed to COVID-19, please acquire an N95 mask from the receptionist/concierge desk, clinic, or clinical team leader; do not wear fabric face masks if you have potentially been exposed.
Whether you are receiving visitors at the visitor center or in one of the designated outdoor areas in the community, here are some preventative measures you can practice to guard your health and safety:
Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact your community’s Executive Director.
Updated: Friday, May 6 | 11 a.m.
Over the last few weeks, we have seen the COVID-19 numbers increasing in the Richmond area. Hermitage Richmond has also experienced a few contained cases within our community. Due to both situations, we feel the need to update family members, visitors, and guests on some precautionary changes we are making to keep our residents and team members safe.
Because of the close nature of interactions in our neighborhoods, if a resident tests positive in one of our neighborhoods, we are not permitting residents residing in that neighborhood to attend meals or activities away from their neighborhood.
In-person visits for residents residing in a neighborhood with positive cases may be restricted for the isolation period determined by our COVID team. If there is a change in visitation for a particular neighborhood, a team member will make family members aware of the change.
As always, guests are asked to use the main entrance, complete the screening questions, and only visit in their loved one’s room.
If a guest is not vaccinated, we ask that they visit outside whenever possible and that they wear a KN95 mask.
Residents are being encouraged to be selective when leaving the building and are reminded to wear masks, wash their hands, and practice physical distancing for their own protection, especially when in large groups or when coming into contact with people they do not know.
We continue to test team members and residents who present symptoms of the virus. Both symptomatic and asymptomatic team members and residents are isolating as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Hermitage Richmond’s Executive Director.
Updated: Friday, January 21 | 1 p.m.
Due to the steady increase in COVID-19 infection rates in the Richmond area, all in-person visits continue to be temporarily Due to rising COVID-19 infection rates in the Richmond area, in-person visits are being restricted to designated areas and times. Family members and guests may visit loved ones in our Social Hall on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Please limit visitors to two at a time and for no more than 30 minutes to allow other family members to visit with residents. Reservations are not required. We have been monitoring local data and are hoping to see a peak in these numbers within the next week or two. Currently, the positivity rate in Richmond is still higher than 33%. Hospice visits may be arranged by contacting the Director of Nursing or the Assistant Director of Nursing. Residents are being asked to only leave the community for essential medical appointments. We understand these limitations are disappointing, but they are necessary to protect the health and safety of our residents and team members.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the safety and well-being of our residents, team members, their families, visitors, and volunteers have been our paramount concern.
Our COVID-19 Preparedness Team is working closely with the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and their numerous health partners as they track the emergence of the newest COVID-19 variant known as Omicron. Early indications from health department officials are that the potential impact of the virus is low because of the precautions already in place at all Pinnacle Living communities throughout Virginia. As a reminder, all of our team members and nearly all of our residents have been fully vaccinated since the fall of 2021.
Visitors to our community: Check in at our front desk upon arrival to complete a basic screening.
In addition:
For residents who leave our communities for family visits, gatherings, or other travel, be aware that screening and/or testing may be necessary upon your return.
For residents, if you become aware that you have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID, please notify the appropriate team member.
Team members should notify your immediate supervisor.
If you have been exposed to COVID-19, please acquire an N95 mask from the receptionist/concierge desk, clinic, or clinical team leader; do not wear fabric face masks if you have potentially been exposed.
Whether you are receiving visitors at your home or traveling to visit with family and loved ones away from your community, here are some preventative measures you can practice to guard your health and safety:
Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Hermitage Richmond’s Executive Director.
COVID-19 + Visitation Policy Update
Updated: Tuesday, January 18 | 1 p.m.
Due to the steady increase in COVID-19 infection rates in the Richmond area, all in-person visits continue to be temporarily suspended. We have been monitoring local data and are hoping to see a peak in these numbers within the next week or two. Currently, the positivity rate in Richmond is still higher than 33%. We are anxious to have visitors back in the building and understand the impact not being able to see family and friends in person has on our residents. Hospice visits may be arranged by contacting the Director of Nursing or the Assistant Director of Nursing. Residents are being asked to only leave the community for essential medical appointments. We understand these limitations are disappointing but they are necessary to protect the health and safety of our residents and team members.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the safety and well-being of our residents, team members, their families, visitors, and volunteers have been our paramount concern.
Our COVID-19 Preparedness Team is working closely with the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and their numerous health partners as they track the emergence of the newest COVID-19 variant known as Omicron. Early indications from health department officials are that the potential impact of the virus is low because of the precautions already in place at all Pinnacle Living communities throughout Virginia. As a reminder, all of our team members and nearly all of our residents have been fully vaccinated since the fall of 2021.
Those who have special permission to visit our community, check in at our front desk upon arrival to complete a basic screening. In addition:
For residents who leave our communities for family visits, gatherings, or other travel, be aware that screening and/or testing may be necessary upon your return.
For residents, if you become aware that you have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID, please notify the appropriate team member.
Team members should notify your immediate supervisor.
If you have been exposed to COVID-19, please acquire an N95 mask from the receptionist/concierge desk, clinic, or clinical team leader; do not wear fabric face masks if you have potentially been exposed.
Whether you are receiving visitors at your home or traveling to visit with family and loved ones away from your community, here are some preventative measures you can practice to guard your health and safety:
Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Hermitage Richmond’s Executive Director.
Updated: Monday, January 3 | 11:00 a.m.
Due to rising COVID infection rates in the Richmond area, all in person visits are being temporarily suspended and will be reevaluated on January 17, 2022 . Hospice visits may be arranged by contacting the Director of Nursing or the Assistant Director of Nursing. Residents are being asked to only leave the community for essential medical appointments. We understand these limitations are disappointing but are necessary to protect the health and safety of our residents and team members.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the safety and well-being of our residents, team members, their families, visitors, and volunteers have been our paramount concern.
Our COVID-19 Preparedness Team is working closely with the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and their numerous health partners as they track the emergence of the newest COVID-19 variant known as Omicron. Early indications from health department officials are that the potential impact of the virus is low because of the precautions already in place at all Pinnacle Living communities throughout Virginia. As a reminder, all of our team members and nearly all of our residents have been fully vaccinated since the fall of 2021.
We ask that all visitors to our communities check in with one of our team members upon arrival to complete a basic screening. In addition:
For residents who leave our communities for family visits, gatherings, or other travel, be aware that screening and/or rapid testing may be necessary upon your return.
For residents, if you become aware that you have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID, please notify the appropriate team member.
Team members should notify your immediate supervisor.
If you have been exposed to COVID-19, please acquire an N95 mask from the receptionist/concierge desk, clinic, or clinical team leader; do not wear fabric face masks if you have potentially been exposed.
Whether you are receiving visitors at your home or traveling to visit with family and loved ones away from your community, here are some preventative measures you can practice to guard your health and safety:
Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Hermitage Richmond’s Executive Director.
COVID-19 Update for the 2021 Holiday Season
Updated: Thursday, December 23 | 8:00 a.m.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the safety and well-being of our residents, team members, their families, visitors, and volunteers have been our paramount concern.
As you make your holiday preparations and visitation plans, we wanted to share some health and prevention tips to help you celebrate the season safely!
Our COVID-19 Preparedness Team is working closely with the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and their numerous health partners as they track the emergence of the newest COVID-19 variant known as Omicron. Early indications from health department officials are that the potential impact of the virus is low because of the precautions already in place at all Pinnacle Living communities throughout Virginia. As a reminder, all of our team members and nearly all of our residents have been fully vaccinated since the fall of 2021.
Connecting with family and friends during this special time of year is vital to maintaining our emotional well-being, even during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This year, we hope you will plan ahead to have a healthy and happy holiday season.
We ask that all visitors to our communities check in with one of our team members upon arrival to complete a basic screening. In addition:
For residents who leave our communities for family visits, gatherings, or other travel for the holidays, be aware that screening and/or rapid testing may be necessary upon your return.
For residents, if you become aware that you have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID, please notify the appropriate team member.
Team members should notify your immediate supervisor.
If you have been exposed to COVID-19, please acquire an N95 mask from the receptionist/concierge desk, clinic, or clinical team leader; do not wear fabric face masks if you have potentially been exposed.
Whether you are receiving visitors at your home or traveling to visit with family and loved ones away from your community, here are some preventative measures you can practice to guard your health and safety during the holidays:
According to the VDH, it might also be wise to consider the following risk levels when making plans to celebrate the holidays with your loved ones this year:
Low Risk Activities
Medium Risk Activities
High Risk Activities
How ever you choose to celebrate this year, we hope you have a safe and wonderful holiday season. Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact your community’s Executive Director.
COVID-19 Update for Hermitage Richmond
Updated: Friday, August 6 | 8:00 a.m.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the safety and well-being of our residents, team members, their families, visitors, and volunteers have been our paramount concern.
We have communicated openly, transparently, and worked diligently to educate all team members about COVID-19 and even conducted highly successful voluntary COVID-19 vaccine clinics. Following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Virginia Department of Health (VDH), and Virginia Department of Social Services, we have enforced masking mandates, maintained physical distancing requirements, and modified services as appropriate to our residents.
Because of this work, we have much to be proud of:
Sadly, our hard work and perseverance aren’t enough. As we watch the local and national news, we notice that the number of COVID-19 positive cases is on the rise. The new COVID-19 Delta variant is running rampant in many communities across the country, and we know of at least one senior living community in Virginia that has had a “COVID-19 breakthrough outbreak” even though their vaccine rates are similar to ours.
Pinnacle Living acknowledges the desire for personal choice, but we must face our responsibility to protect our communities as best we are able. What is clear is that COVID-19 vaccinations work and the consequences to our communities from resurging COVID-19 infections is life threatening. We have weighed individual preference with the safety of our residents, families, visitors, volunteers, and team members, and have come to the following conclusions:
Our Executive Directors and Health Services Teams will work with unvaccinated team members to secure COVID-19 vaccines so their employment with Pinnacle Living will not be impacted by this policy.
COVID-19 Update for Hermitage Richmond
On behalf of the Pinnacle Living Boards of Directors and our Leadership Team, thank you for your understanding and flexibility during the COVID-19 pandemic. The demands of the last 16 months have been tremendous. We are grateful for the perseverance of our residents, the cooperation of families and friends, and the dedication of our team members. We have grown in our understanding of and respect for one another as we have worked hard to keep residents and team members informed and safe.
As our communities emerge from the pandemic, we will continue to be vigilant in our efforts to maintain the health and safety of our residents and teams. We are following the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Virginia Department of Health (VDH), and Virginia Department of Social Services.
We strongly advise all visitors to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 before visiting our communities. Basic health screening questions will continue to be asked. If you are experiencing any cold or flu-like symptoms, please postpone your visit.
Should you have any questions concerning visiting Hermitage Richmond, the proper use of masks, or other guidelines, please do not hesitate to contact our executive director.
COVID-19 Update for Hermitage Richmond
Hermitage Richmond and Pinnacle Living are thrilled the CDC has issued new guidance concerning mask usage by fully vaccinated individuals. However, as providers of senior living services, we must remain vigilant and continue to use masks in public areas and when interacting with individuals who are not yet vaccinated.
We are hopeful the Virginia Department of Health, the Department of Social Services, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will issue updated guidance soon, but until that guidance is published, our guidelines concerning mask usage, physical distancing, and hand hygiene remain unchanged.
Should you have any questions concerning the proper use of masks at Hermitage Richmond, please do not hesitate to contact the executive director. Thank you!
Residents residing in all areas of Hermitage Richmond may entertain visitors in their rooms if the visitors are vaccinated. Guests will continue to be screened upon arrival and will be asked to show proof of being fully vaccinated. Visitors who are only partially vaccinated or not vaccinated at all will be asked to continue visiting outside or in our parlor by appointment. Residents residing in The Grove health care neighborhoods will continue to have visits in the parlor and outside only. (VDH has taken a more conservative approach to guests in buildings). This change will go into effect on Monday, May 3.
Mask usage will continue to be mandated when walking through the hallways or when residents and guests are in common spaces. If all individuals in a room are fully vaccinated, masks are not mandated, and usage is at the discretion of the resident.
Our dining room continues to be open for three meals each day. At this point, guest dining is not available. Residents who choose not to attend meals in the dining room may elect to have room service. For information about room service and the fees associated with it, please contact Denise Rutledge, Director of Dining, at 804-474-1830.
Most of our activities have returned to normal and continue to be popular. We are currently limiting participation for indoor events to 50 attendees. Outdoor events are unlimited. We encourage family and friends to join us for outdoor events as long as masks are worn, and social distancing guidelines are followed.
As long as the resident is fully vaccinated, new residents to our community and current residents returning from hospitalizations, medical appointments, or trips away from the community will no longer have to self-isolate.
Moving items in and out of our community will continue to be arranged in advance through our social workers, Jennifer Norton and Zachary Barrett. We will continue to work with family members on moves to make sure that the process is as seamless as possible.
Lastly, I would like to share that we are excited about a new project that will refresh our dining room. Starting in early May, we will be making some cosmetic changes to the floors, walls, and lighting fixtures of the dining room. The project will start in the small dining area and progress to the larger dining room over time. More information about the project will be shared in weekly dining updates once the project begins. We anticipate the entire project taking 6-8 weeks.
We continue to make progress with our Hermitage Richmond Forward Plan. Our COVID action team has been closely monitoring recommendations of the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and has been consulting with our Pinnacle Living office about changes. Our situation is different from most free-standing assisted living and nursing home communities because our community is regulated by both the Department of Social Services (for assisted living areas) and the Department of Health (for The Grove health care neighborhoods). Over the last few weeks, we have seen a slight increase in positivity rates throughout the state. We are thankful that our efforts to keep residents and team members safe over the past 14 months has paid off, with no residents within our community testing positive. We currently have 99% of our residents vaccinated and about 80% of our team members vaccinated.
Moving forward we will be making the following adjustments to operations. Please note that our team will continue to monitor internal and external conditions that may have an impact on the health and wellbeing of our residents and team members and we’ll make changes as needed.
Residents residing in residential and assisted living areas (including McGuire Park) may entertain visitors in their rooms if the visitors are vaccinated. Guests will continue to be screened upon arrival and will be asked to show proof of being fully vaccinated. Visitors who are only partially vaccinated or not vaccinated at all will be asked to continue visiting outside or in our parlor by appointment. Residents residing in The Grove health care neighborhoods will continue to have visits in the parlor and outside only. (VDH has taken a more conservative approach to guests in buildings). This change will go into effect on Monday, May 3.
Mask usage will continue to be mandated when walking through the hallways or when residents and guests are in common spaces. If all individuals in a room are fully vaccinated, masks are not mandated and usage is at the discretion of the resident.
Our dining room continues to be open for three meals each day. At this point, guest dining is not available. Residents who choose not to attend meals in the dining room may elect to have room service. For information about room service and the fees associated with it, please contact Denise Rutledge, Director of Dining, at 474-1830.
Most of our activities have returned to normal and continue to be popular. We are currently limiting participation to 50 attendees for indoor events. Outdoor events are unlimited. We encourage family and friends to join us for outdoor events as long as masks are worn and social distancing guidelines are followed.
As long as they are fully vaccinated, new residents to our community and current residents returning from hospitalizations, medical appointments, or trips away from the community will no longer have to self-isolate.
Moving items in and out of our community will continue to be arranged in advance through our social workers, Jennifer Norton and Zachary Barrett. We will continue to work with family members on moves to make sure that the process is as seamless as possible.
Lastly, we are excited about a new project that will refresh our dining room. Starting in early May, we will be making some cosmetic changes to the floors, walls, and lighting fixtures of the dining room. The project will start in the small dining area and progress to the larger dining room over time. More information about the project will be shared in weekly dining updates once the project begins. We anticipate the entire project taking 6-8 weeks.
Hermitage Richmond continues to embrace the Educate, Vaccinate, and Celebrate theme as we have from the beginning of the pandemic. Fortunately for us, the education part has worked well. As of today, 77% of team members and 98% of residents have been vaccinated. It is the high vaccination rates and the clear dedication that our residents and team members have towards one another that has kept us safe and will continue to keep us safe throughout the remainder of the pandemic.
Our community’s COVID-19 action team makes it a priority to stay informed of what’s going on around us. As part of that task, it is important that we familiarize ourselves with what is happening in the local counties and with the recommendations of the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Our COVID-19 team has been meeting regularly since March 2020 and we use the information provided to guide us in our decision-making process. I feel confident that our team’s knowledge of infection control, their desire to be up to date on research, and their good instincts have gotten us to this point. It is reassuring to know that the official guidance continues to confirm that we are doing the right thing.
On March 10, 2021, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued updated guidance stating that while continuing to adhere to the core principles of COVID-19 infection prevention, long term care facilities should allow responsible indoor visitation for all residents, unless COVID-19 county positivity rate is greater than 10% and less than 70% of residents in the facility are fully vaccinated. One change from prior guidance that raised a lot of attention said that mask-wearing residents who are fully vaccinated can choose to have brief physical contact with visitors.
Our visitation policy changed earlier this month. Family members and friends who wish to visit may make a reservation to do so by calling 804-510-3201. Visits will take place in our parlor. This change in practice will be closely monitored and reviewed by our team. Residents at Hermitage Richmond are encouraged to have visitors seven days a week from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. Currently, we are limiting indoor visitors to two guests at a time. Visits last 45 minutes so that we can sanitize between visits. For family members who choose to visit in person, it is imperative that you continue to wash your hands, wear masks, and maintain six feet of distance from residents while in the building. We know that this is an inconvenience for some, but the wellbeing of all the members of our Hermitage Richmond family is our highest priority.
With the weather changing, outdoor visits have gained popularity, and we have several areas dedicated to outdoor visits. We have found that with the spring type weather, family members have been going for walks with their loved ones around the campus. Everyone is reminded to practice social distancing and wear masks whether visiting outside or indoors. When leaving the building, we ask that you kindly sign your loved one out. Sign out books are located either at the front desk, D-wing door, or at the McGuire Park entrance.
Family and friends can still visit virtually through Zoom or Facetime instead of visiting in person. Residents who need assistance in facilitating an electronic visit should reach out to Catherine Chappell, Director of Resident Services, or their Neighborhood Leader.
Independent and Assisted Living residents now have the opportunity to eat in our dining room for all three meals each day. It is so nice to see residents enjoying their meal and the company of their friends in our dining room at all mealtimes. Programs and activities are also slowly returning to normal; our activities calendar is fuller than it has been in the last year. The enthusiasm and excitement amongst our residents is growing. We are making progress!
COVID-19 + Visitation Policy Update for Hermitage Richmond
At Hermitage Richmond, we have embraced the theme of Educate, Vaccinate, Celebrate. We look at every day as an opportunity to educate our team members and residents as to why the COVID-19 vaccine is important. We also accept the responsibility of staying informed of what’s going on around us. As part of that task, it is important that we familiarize ourselves with what is happening in the local counties and with the recommendations of the Virginia Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). We use the information provided to us from these organizations to guide us in the decision-making process with the ultimate goal of keeping our community safe.
Our COVID-19 Action Team has been meeting regularly since March 2020 and I feel confident that our team’s knowledge of infection control, their desire to be up to date on research, and their good instincts have kept us safe to this point. Studies have shown that vaccine recipients aren’t fully protected by the vaccine until seven days after the second shot is administered. Please keep this in mind when arranging medical appointments away from Hermitage Richmond.
We have made some adjustments to our visitation practices. As of Monday March 1, we will be taking visitation appointments for all seven days of the week. These visits will take place in our Parlor. Family members and friends who wish to visit may make a reservation by calling 804-510-3201. This change in practice will be closely monitored and reviewed by our team.
For family members who choose to visit in person, it is imperative that you continue to wash your hands, wear masks, and maintain six feet of distance from residents while in the building. We know that this is an inconvenience for some, but the wellbeing of all the members of our Hermitage Richmond family, residents, and team members is our highest priority.
Family and friends will still have the opportunity to visit virtually through Zoom or Facetime instead of visiting in person. Residents who need assistance in facilitating an electronic visit should reach out to Catherine Chappell, Director of Resident Services, or to their Neighborhood leader.
Stay Well,
Amy Chapman
Executive Director
Physical Distancing + Safety Restrictions
Reminder for Team Members:
A Reminder for our Guests, Visitors, Family Members, Vendors, Contractors, and Volunteers:
Our trust is in our team members, our residents, and their guests. We look forward to the day that we can open our doors and share joy, happiness, and celebrations with our residents’ families and friends again.
Please continue practicing good personal hygiene and infection control by washing your hands and using hand sanitizer, wiping down high traffic work and personal areas and wearing a mask when outside your apartment. Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth.
These precautions continue to be necessary, and we ask for cooperation, support, and understanding as we respond to this rapidly evolving situation. These restrictions will be in place until additional guidance is provided by health authorities. As additional information develops, Pinnacle Living may revise these protocols as warranted.
At Hermitage Richmond, we have embraced the theme of Educate, Vaccinate, Celebrate. We look at every day as an opportunity to educate our team members and residents as to why the COVID-19 vaccine is important. We also accept the responsibility of staying informed of what’s going on around us. As part of that task, it is important that we familiarize ourselves with what is happening in the local counties and with the recommendations of the Virginia Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). We use the information provided to us from these organizations to guide us in the decision-making process with the ultimate goal of keeping our community safe.
Our COVID-19 Action Team has been meeting regularly since March 2020. I feel confident that our team’s knowledge of infection control, their desire to be up to date on research, and their good instincts have kept us safe to this point. In past communications I have shared that most residents and team members will be receiving their second vaccine on Friday, January 29. Studies have shown that vaccine recipients aren’t fully protected by the vaccine until seven days after the second shot is administered. Please keep this in mind when arranging medical appointments away from Hermitage Richmond.
I have recently learned of a professional colleague who received their first vaccine about the same time we received ours at Hermitage Richmond. This colleague has now tested positive. I am afraid that after receiving the first dose of the vaccine some may have been provided with a false sense of protection from the virus. Vaccine or not, we still have a long way to go and we are not out of the woods. Our COVID-19 Action Team will continue to meet regularly to review policies and procedures and put together guidelines which are in the best interest of our community.
We will be making some adjustments to our current visitation practices. As of Monday January 25, we will be taking visitation appointments for Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays only. Family members and friends who wish to visit may make a reservation by calling 804-510-3201. This change in practice will be closely monitored and reviewed by our team. We anticipate the ability to be more lenient with some of our restrictions once our residents and team members receive their second vaccine.
In the meantime, family and friends are encouraged to visit virtually through Zoom or Facetime instead of visiting in person. Residents who need assistance in facilitating an electronic visit should reach out to Catherine Chappell, Director of Resident Services, or to their Neighborhood leader. For family members who choose to visit in person, it is imperative that you continue to wash your hands, wear masks, and maintain six feet of distance from residents while in the building. We know that this is an inconvenience for some, but the wellbeing of all the members of our Hermitage Richmond family, Residents and Team members is our highest priority.
Stay Well,
Amy Chapman
Executive Director
Physical Distancing + Safety Restrictions
Reminder for Team Members:
A Reminder for our Guests, Visitors, Family Members, Vendors, Contractors, and Volunteers:
Our trust is in our team members, our residents, and their guests. We look forward to the day that we can open our doors and share joy, happiness, and celebrations with our residents’ families and friends again.
Please continue practicing good personal hygiene and infection control by washing your hands and using hand sanitizer, wiping down high traffic work and personal areas and wearing a mask when outside your apartment. Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth.
These precautions continue to be necessary, and we ask for cooperation, support, and understanding as we respond to this rapidly evolving situation. These restrictions will be in place until additional guidance is provided by health authorities. As additional information develops, Pinnacle Living may revise these protocols as warranted.
Pinnacle Living is prepared for the upcoming distribution of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines in all our communities. Distribution of the first round of vaccines is scheduled at Hermitage Richmond on Friday, January 8, beginning at 9 a.m. Walgreens, our pharmacy partner, has indicated that all Hermitage Richmond residents and team members who have provided consent will be vaccinated on this date! Our Hermitage Richmond team is working closely with Walgreens to coordinate an orderly distribution.
We are thrilled this day has arrived and we are planning to celebrate accordingly! Amy Chapman, Hermitage Richmond’s Executive Director, says that there is a great deal of excitement building in the community, and although participation in the vaccine program is voluntary for residents and team members, we have a remarkably high participation rate. “This is a day of celebration in our community, and we are proud of our residents and team members for stepping up and taking this huge step forward,” Chapman said.
As we are navigating through communication from multiple sources that sometimes conflict, we thank you for your patience.
Reservations for the vaccine are required.
Only those who have reserved a dose of the vaccine will be eligible to receive it. Due to the storage requirements, no additional doses will be available. Any doses that are reserved and not used will have to be discarded so we are asking everyone to be certain that they are prepared to receive the vaccine at the scheduled time.
We are strongly encouraging everyone to receive the vaccine as the highest level of protection against COVID-19, however it is not mandatory.
Facts about the COVID-19 vaccine:
Safety Measure Considerations:
Quarantine Guidelines:
You will be placed on quarantine for the following reasons:
Quarantine requires residents to stay in their residence. During the quarantine period, we will provide ongoing dining delivery, wellness check-ins, trash pickup, and mail delivery. We will temporarily halt housekeeping and maintenance (unless emergent).
COVID Safety Reminders:
Physical Distancing + Safety Restrictions
Reminder for Team Members:
A Reminder for our Guests, Visitors, Family Members, Vendors, Contractors, and Volunteers:
Our trust is in our team members, our residents, and their guests. We look forward to the day that we can open our doors and share joy, happiness, and celebrations with our residents’ families and friends again.
Please continue practicing good personal hygiene and infection control by washing your hands and using hand sanitizer, wiping down high traffic work and personal areas and wearing a mask when outside your apartment. Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth.
These precautions continue to be necessary, and we ask for cooperation, support, and understanding as we respond to this rapidly evolving situation. These restrictions will be in place until additional guidance is provided by health authorities. As additional information develops, Pinnacle Living may revise these protocols as warranted.
As you know, COVID-19 has led the headlines for months. Now, the COVID-19 vaccines are making national news with their proven effectiveness and early distribution. The Pfizer vaccine has received Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Emergency Use Authorization approval and is on its way to locations across the country. We have received many questions about the vaccine and can now offer a bit more information to ensure we are all on the same page.
When will Hermitage Richmond receive the vaccine?
We are anxiously awaiting more details related to the availability of those vaccines in our communities, but we know we are near the top of the list. Because the COVID-19 vaccine will be available in limited quantities initially, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) have developed phased approaches for allocating the vaccine by state.
Fortunately for us, the government plans to vaccinate hospital workers, long-term care providers (LTC) and residents early in the distribution plan. We expect the first 70,000 doses to be available to Virginians in December. After this, the distribution will continue following the State’s plan.
How will the vaccine be distributed to us?
It will take months for enough vaccine to be manufactured to provide the needed doses for all people in the United States. The current plan is to ship the vaccine to major pharmacy retailers who will distribute it to us.
Pinnacle Living and Hermitage Richmond have made the decision to partner with Walgreens, who will coordinate, schedule, and administer the vaccine on behalf of the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), once it is available. Representatives from Walgreens will come to our communities on three separate dates to administer the vaccine. During the first visit the initial dose will be given followed three to four weeks later with the second dose. A third trip will be made to catch anyone missed earlier.
How much will it cost to be vaccinated?
It is our understanding you will not be charged for the vaccine.
Facts about the COVID-19 vaccine:
Is the vaccine safe?
The vaccines being readied for distribution have undergone rigorous scientific tests to make sure they are safe. Thousands of adults from many races and varying ages volunteered to be part of the testing. Similar to most vaccinations, the testing shows you may experience some muscle soreness at the site of the injection. Following the second injection, some people reported a low fever and achiness that went away after a day or so. This reaction shows your body is building an immunity.
Will the vaccine be mandatory?
With the information we have available today, Pinnacle Living and Hermitage Richmond will not be requiring team members or residents to take the vaccine at this time. However, we want to protect our team members and residents from the spread of COVID-19 and we are strongly encouraging everyone to receive the vaccine as the highest level of protection against COVID-19.
This virus attacks people in different ways. Some show no symptoms but can still spread the disease, some become mildly ill, and some become very sick or die. The vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones and ultimately reduce the presence of the virus. Even if you have already had COVID-19, the CDC recommends you get vaccinated.
If I get vaccinated, will I still have to wear a mask?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends we continue to wear our masks when out in public, as well as practice safe distancing and frequent hand washing after being vaccinated. We will need to continue doing these things until most Americans are vaccinated.
YOUR SAFETY IS OUR TOP CONCERN
We know the past several months have been difficult on everyone. However, these developments regarding the release of the vaccine have been the silver lining we’ve all been waiting for. Once again, we are strongly encouraging everyone to receive the vaccine so you can protect yourself and your community against COVID-19. We want you, your loved ones, and our team members to stay healthy so we can all enjoy the Holidays in 2021.
Physical Distancing + Safety Restrictions
Reminder for Team Members:
A Reminder for our Guests, Visitors, Family Members, Vendors, Contractors, and Volunteers:
Our trust is in our team members, our residents, and their guests. We look forward to the day that we can open our doors and share joy, happiness, and celebrations with our residents’ families and friends again.
Please continue practicing good personal hygiene and infection control by washing your hands and using hand sanitizer, wiping down high traffic work and personal areas and wearing a mask when outside your apartment. Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth.
These precautions continue to be necessary, and we ask for cooperation, support, and understanding as we respond to this rapidly evolving situation. These restrictions will be in place until additional guidance is provided by health authorities. As additional information develops, Pinnacle Living may revise these protocols as warranted.
On Friday, December 11, 2020, a resident of the Grove — our health care center — tested positive for COVID-19. This resident had been in isolation for seven days after a recent doctor’s visit and had been showing no signs or symptoms. Out of an abundance of caution, we conducted contact tracing and tested all team members who may have been in contact with the resident, as well as all residents residing in the Grove. Everyone tested received negative results.
Because the resident was asymptomatic and our tracing showed the resident had a very limited chance of exposure in the first place, we decided to administer additional COVID-19 testing through another lab. Until those results were returned, we followed procedures put in place to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all residents and team members. Results of the additional testing came back earlier today and the resident who originally tested positive has tested negative on three separate occasions.
We are extremely happy to share that because of the results of testing, we will return to normal operations Wednesday, December 16, 2020. Our dining rooms will reopen then. All group activities and events will resume, but are still limited to 10 participants, and in-person visitation with family and friends will also resume at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, December 16.
The Hermitage Richmond healthcare team has been in contact with the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and we are grateful for their continued guidance and support, specifically for their support over the last few days. We will continue to work closely with VDH to limit exposure to other residents, team members, and families until a vaccine is readily available.
Stay well,
Amy Chapman
Physical Distancing + Safety Restrictions
Hermitage Richmond Residents:
Dining
Events, Programs, and Activities
Housekeeping Services
Clinic Visits, Medical Appointments, and Physical Therapy Services
Reminder for Team Members:
A Reminder for our Guests, Visitors, Family Members, Vendors, Contractors, and Volunteers:
Our trust is in our team members, our residents, and their guests. We look forward to the day that we can open our doors and share joy, happiness, and celebrations with our residents’ families and friends again.
Please continue practicing good personal hygiene and infection control by washing your hands and using hand sanitizer, wiping down high traffic work and personal areas and wearing a mask when outside your apartment. Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth. Please also remember to practice “physical distancing” of not less than six feet from people.
These precautions continue to be necessary, and we ask for cooperation, support, and understanding as we respond to this rapidly evolving situation. These restrictions will be in place until additional guidance is provided by health authorities. As additional information develops, Pinnacle Living may revise these protocols as warranted.
Early this morning, we received notice that a resident of the Grove, our health care center, tested positive for COVID-19. This resident has been in isolation for seven days after a recent doctor’s visit, but out of an abundance of caution, we are working through contact tracing and will notify any resident or team member of potential exposure.
In response to this first positive case, we are asking all residents — in all levels of service — to quarantine until further notice.
Our dining rooms are closed and residents are being served meals in their rooms. We are canceling group activities and events, and sadly, we must also cancel in-person visitation with family and friends. We will begin to ease these restrictions as soon as possible.
The Hermitage Richmond healthcare team has been in contact with the Virginia Department of Health (VDH). We are working closely with VDH to limit exposure to other residents, team members, and families. Early indications from health department officials are that potential spread of the virus is minimal, because of the preparedness plans already implemented, but we must practice self-isolation until further notice. We are fortunate to have access to COVID-19 Rapid Tests and will begin testing all Grove residents and team members today.
Our healthcare team will be in contact with the limited number of residents and team members who may have been in contact with the positive individuals to communicate and implement interventions as directed by the health department or other health professionals. The families of the residents who were exposed are also being contacted. Officials from the Virginia Department of Health may contact those individuals as well.
Again, following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), VDH, the Virginia Healthcare Coalition, and our Medical Director, all residents are asked to continue to practice physical distancing and wear masks when outside your apartment. We continue to deep clean common areas and our health services areas in the community. As we move forward, this policy will remain in effect for the foreseeable future.
Stay well,
Amy Chapman
Physical Distancing + Safety Restrictions
Hermitage Richmond Residents:
Dining
Events, Programs, and Activities
Housekeeping Services
Clinic Visits, Medical Appointments, and Physical Therapy Services
Reminder for Team Members:
A Reminder for our Guests, Visitors, Family Members, Vendors, Contractors, and Volunteers:
Our trust is in our team members, our residents, and their guests. We look forward to the day that we can open our doors and share joy, happiness, and celebrations with our residents’ families and friends again.
Please continue practicing good personal hygiene and infection control by washing your hands and using hand sanitizer, wiping down high traffic work and personal areas and wearing a mask when outside your apartment. Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth. Please also remember to practice “physical distancing” of not less than six feet from people.
These precautions continue to be necessary, and we ask for cooperation, support, and understanding as we respond to this rapidly evolving situation. These restrictions will be in place until additional guidance is provided by health authorities. As additional information develops, Pinnacle Living may revise these protocols as warranted.
Thanksgiving 2020: Planning, Visitation, and Precautions
Over the last few weeks, we have continued to monitor what has been occurring with the pandemic in the hopes that we could develop a clear plan that would keep everyone safe while spending time with loved ones. We were hopeful we would see improvement in the spread of the virus, but the reality is that Thanksgiving 2020 is not going to look the same as those of the past. Medical experts today know more about coronavirus transmission than they did at the onset of the pandemic. This is a good thing. Because we have more information, we are better informed to make the right decisions to keep ourselves safe and protect those around us. Experts are now warning about “pandemic fatigue” which may prompt us to relax our behaviors. I know we have been fighting to protect our residents and team members for a long time, but we must stay true to the precautions that we have taken to continue to be safe.
The Thanksgiving holiday typically creates opportunity for large multigenerational gatherings; parents, grandparents, children grandchildren, college kids on break, and many family members traveling from out of town. This, in addition to gathering in an enclosed environment, around a table without masks, can be extremely problematic and risky. In a new CDC report, a study was conducted that looked at the infection rate inside a household. Researchers found that 102 out of 191 people who met a sick person and contracted COVID-19 most likely did so inside the home. 75% of the secondary household infections could be traced back to the household as well, with signs and symptoms presenting within five days. Researchers observed “substantial transmission” in both children and adults.
Our COVID-19 Action Team has discussed ways to support our residents spending the Thanksgiving Holiday with family members while still protecting them from being vulnerable to the virus. Due to the pandemic, we will not be able to invite guests to dine with us this year. We are hoping that all residents will remain at Hermitage Richmond for Thanksgiving, and that there is an understanding that we believe that this is safest for them.
Our Dining Room along with the Social Hall will both be open for our residents to take part in a special holiday lunchtime meal. Social distancing protocols will be followed. Because our residents are not leaving the building, we feel that the risk of possible exposure to the virus is extremely low. To ensure everyone’s wellbeing, residents who have a medical appointment during the week of Thanksgiving or who leave the building to dine elsewhere for Thanksgiving will be socially isolating for 14 days or until a COVID test is performed and negative test results come back.
The holiday meal will include holiday favorites including: Deviled Eggs, Shrimp Cocktail, Maple Glazed Ham, Whole Roasted Turkey, Sweet Potato Casserole, Homemade Mashed Potatoes, Cornbread Stuffing, Green Bean Casserole, Garlic Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Cranberry Sauce, and White House Dinner Rolls. For dessert, we will be serving Pumpkin Pie, Pecan Pie, and Lemon Cake.
Because Thanksgiving is about family and not just food and football, we will be adding opportunities for visiting during the long holiday weekend. The visitation hours for the long weekend will be from 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. To make an appointment to visit, please call (804) 510-3201 between 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Reservations for visits during the long holiday weekend will be opened Monday, November 16.
Finally, the Hermitage Richmond team will be assembling a Thanksgiving specialty bag with some special treats to be enjoyed within the resident’s apartments and rooms. We think this extra goodie bag will help with the craving for leftovers after the Thanksgiving feast is complete.
As always, our goal is to keep everyone safe. If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to any member of our leadership team.
Stay well,
Amy Chapman
Physical Distancing + Safety Restrictions
Hermitage Richmond Residents:
Dining
Events, Programs, and Activities
Housekeeping Services
Clinic Visits, Medical Appointments, and Physical Therapy Services
Reminder for Team Members:
A Reminder for our Guests, Visitors, Family Members, Vendors, Contractors, and Volunteers:
Our trust is in our team members, our residents, and their guests. Until now, our diligence and precautions have kept us safe. We realize that this is not the time for us to let our guard down, but also know the toll of not being able to see, hug, or kiss a loved one has had on our residents and their families. We look forward to the day that we can open our doors and share joy, happiness, and celebrations with our residents’ families and friends again..
Please continue practicing good personal hygiene and infection control by washing your hands and using hand sanitizer, wiping down high traffic work and personal areas and covering your mouth when you cough and sneeze. Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth. Please also remember to practice “physical distancing” of not less than six feet from people.
These precautions continue to be necessary, and we ask for cooperation, support, and understanding as we respond to this rapidly evolving situation. These restrictions will be in place until additional guidance is provided by health authorities. As additional information develops, Pinnacle Living may revise these protocols as warranted.
We have come a long way! We are both excited and apprehensive to share revised information about our visiting policy.
Due to changing temperatures and daylight savings time, beginning October 19, family and friends will be invited into our building for visits. Visits will continue to be scheduled in advance by calling our screening desk Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The number for the screening desk is 804-510-3201.
Similar to our current procedure, guests will be asked to check in at the screening table and answer a few COVID-related questions.
Some things to make note of:
As you well know, we have worked diligently to keep residents and team members safe since the onset of the virus back in March. Our team continues to think strategically with safety in mind.
We are grateful for your support.
Please continue practicing good personal hygiene and infection control by washing your hands and using hand sanitizer, wiping down high traffic work and personal areas and covering your mouth when you cough and sneeze. Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth. Please also remember to practice “physical distancing” of not less than six feet from people.
These precautions continue to be necessary, and we ask for cooperation, support, and understanding as we respond to this rapidly evolving situation. These restrictions will be in place until additional guidance is provided by health authorities. As additional information develops, Pinnacle Living may revise these protocols as warranted.
On Tuesday, August 25, Hermitage Richmond received notification that a team member in The Grove Health Care Center tested positive for COVID-19. The team member began exhibiting mild symptoms early in the day. Out of an abundance of caution, we immediately tested all residents and team members who may have had a remote possibility of coming into contact with this team member for COVID-19.
While awaiting the results of the testing, we asked all residents to remain in their apartments or health care rooms and all team members continued to use masks and personal protective equipment.
Because of the precautions already in place and our diligence, we learned late in the day on Wednesday (Aug. 26) that all residents who were tested received negative results. An additional team member working in the same area also tested positive but is asymptomatic.
Both affected team members are self-quarantining for 14 days and will not be able to return to work until after they receive two negative test results.
We are confident in our ability to deal with this situation and continue to protect the health and wellbeing of our residents and team members.
Activities:
Visitation:
Our trust is in our team members, our residents, and their guests. Until now, our diligence and precautions have kept us safe. We realize that this is not the time for us to let our guard down, but also know the toll of not being able to see, hug, or kiss a loved one has had on our residents and their families. We look forward to the day that we can open our doors and share joy, happiness, and celebrations with our residents’ families and friends again.
Please continue practicing good personal hygiene and infection control by washing your hands and using hand sanitizer, wiping down high traffic work and personal areas and covering your mouth when you cough and sneeze. Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth. Please also remember to practice “physical distancing” of not less than six feet from people.
These precautions continue to be necessary, and we ask for cooperation, support, and understanding as we respond to this rapidly evolving situation. These restrictions will be in place until additional guidance is provided by health authorities. As additional information develops, Pinnacle Living may revise these protocols as warranted.
We are all excited about moving into Phase 2 of re-opening on August 24. Our successful transition will entail guidelines put in place to keep residents and team members safe.
Our team continues to closely monitor situations affecting local hospitals and the Richmond community as a whole. The Department of Health’s mandate states that if Richmond City backslides to a previous phase of reopening, we as a community must also take a step backwards. Our ability to progress through reopening is directly connected to the local area’s positivity testing for COVID-19 and the availability of hospitals to ensure proper space for caring for the ill. Unfortunately, no matter how safe and careful we as a community may be, the outcome may be out of our control and sadly our progression may be short lived.
The good news is that we are optimistic! Our team has spent countless hours reviewing statistics and evaluating risk. We are confident that if residents, and their guests, abide by the safety measures set forth we will continue to stay healthy and COVID free.
Below are details about activity participation and visitation, the two main areas affected by our changes in Phase 2:
Activities:
Visitation:
Our trust is in our team members, our residents, and their guests. Until now, our diligence and precautions have kept us safe. We realize that this is not the time for us to let our guard down, but also know the toll of not being able to see, hug, or kiss a loved one has had on our residents and their families. We look forward to the day that we can open our doors and share joy, happiness, and celebrations with our residents’ families and friends again.
Please continue practicing good personal hygiene and infection control by washing your hands and using hand sanitizer, wiping down high traffic work and personal areas and covering your mouth when you cough and sneeze. Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth. Please also remember to practice “physical distancing” of not less than six feet from people.
These precautions continue to be necessary, and we ask for cooperation, support, and understanding as we respond to this rapidly evolving situation. These restrictions will be in place until additional guidance is provided by health authorities. As additional information develops, Pinnacle Living may revise these protocols as warranted.
Over the past few weeks, the Virginia Department of Health has set forth new mandates for a safe phased reopening plan for Nursing Homes. These mandates are also strongly suggested as guidelines for Assisted Living Communities.
Cautious is the word that clearly describes our approach to reopening Hermitage Richmond. We realize that restrictions are often limiting and, in some cases, frustrating but we have come to look at these initiatives for moving to Phase 1 of reopening a bit differently than some others in the field. As opposed to feeling stifled or regulated, we are grateful. We feel fortunate to have a group of professionally trained epidemiologists, physicians, and scientists providing us with guidance and advice to keep residents and team members safe.
It is expected that Hermitage Richmond, and all communities adhere to the following prior to proceeding to Phase 1 of their reopening plans:
Some of the mandates we have already been enforcing within the community include:
We are ready to move forward in our reopening multi-phased plan. Once we move through Phase 1 we will communicate all steps necessary to move to Phase 2 safely. In the meantime, please know that the health and wellbeing of our residents and team members is our top priority.
Please continue practicing good personal hygiene and infection control by washing your hands and using hand sanitizer, wiping down high traffic work and personal areas and covering your mouth when you cough and sneeze. Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth. Please also remember to practice “physical distancing” of not less than six feet from people.
These precautions continue to be necessary, and we ask for cooperation, support, and understanding as we respond to this rapidly evolving situation. These restrictions will be in place until additional guidance is provided by health authorities. As additional information develops, Pinnacle Living may revise these protocols as warranted.
The recent announcement of Governor Northam’s multi-phase plan for reopening Virginia is wonderful news. Hermitage Richmond is also working on a multi-phase plan specific to our community that will gradually ease our COVID-19 restrictions and slowly resume services and programs our residents have grown accustomed to in our community.
We appreciate your cooperation with the limitations that are in place to best protect our population from COVID-19 and ask that you continue to follow the guidelines implemented with each upcoming phase.
With an abundance of caution as our guide, and the safety of our residents and team members as our top priority, we are almost ready to enter Phase 1 of our plan. As a reminder, Phase 1 could last for 2-4 weeks or longer. However, our plans may be altered based on new information and our ability to keep the COVID-19 virus out of our communities.
Hermitage Richmond’s Phase I reopening plan begins Monday, June 1, 2020, and includes the following
You play a very important role in this process and its success. Please observe recommended best practices related to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are relying on you to wear a mask, practice physical distancing, wash your hands frequently, avoid touching your face, cough/sneeze into a tissue, and clean/disinfect frequently. Please be considerate of your neighbors and continue to incorporate these safety measures in your daily routine. All community members look forward to future social gatherings. The goal is to arrive safely together.
Should you have questions, please feel free to contact a member of our leadership team. As always, we ask that you reach out to a medical team member at the first sign of a medical need or potential symptom of the virus such as fever, dry cough, fatigue, shortness of breath, sore throat and diarrhea.
Because of the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, we know that our proposed three-phase plan is subject to change. We will monitor the guidance of local authorities and the CDC. The summary above highlights the areas of greatest concern to residents, family members and Hermitage Richmond’s Leadership Team.
Plans for Phase 2 and 3 will be shared as we move closer to implementation of those phases. In order for us to move through these phases as outlined in the plan, we need to see that the spread of the virus can be contained, hospitals are able to provide bed capacity upon demand, and we, as a community, are able to maintain a sustainable supply of Personal Protective Supplies. Once we have reached Phase 3, additional considerations will be made to lift capacity limitations and adjustments will be considered in areas such as dining, visitors on campus, and social gathering. When we reach this point, all areas identified in the plan will also be re-evaluated.
In the meantime, please continue doing what you have been doing to keep yourself and those around you safe. Practice good personal hygiene and infection control by washing your hands and using hand sanitizer, keep wearing masks when you are within six feet of people, and practice social distancing at all times.
We know your family members are anxious to learn about our plan as well, so please share this information with them. We’re extremely hopeful that we are heading in the right direction.
Please continue practicing good personal hygiene and infection control by washing your hands and using hand sanitizer, wiping down high traffic work and personal areas and covering your mouth when you cough and sneeze. Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth. Please also remember to practice “physical distancing” of not less than six feet from people.
These precautions continue to be necessary, and we ask for cooperation, support, and understanding as we respond to this rapidly evolving situation. These restrictions will be in place until additional guidance is provided by health authorities. As additional information develops, Pinnacle Living may revise these protocols as warranted.
Much like what we are seeing with the Commonwealth of Virginia’s “Forward Virginia” plans, our teams are working diligently to implement multi-phased, community-specific plans for the rollout of services and programs for our residents and their families.
Much like the Governor’s plan, we will be cautious as we move forward while taking steps to gradually grow services and programs that our residents have grown accustomed to at Hermitage Richmond. These comprehensive plans address a myriad of services for residents, team members, guests, and families.
We will begin posting details of those plans beginning next week on Tuesday, May 26.
Please continue practicing good personal hygiene and infection control by washing your hands and using hand sanitizer, wiping down high traffic work and personal areas and covering your mouth when you cough and sneeze. Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth. Please also remember to practice “physical distancing” of not less than six feet from people.
These precautions continue to be necessary, and we ask for cooperation, support, and understanding as we respond to this rapidly evolving situation. These restrictions will be in place until additional guidance is provided by health authorities. As additional information develops, Pinnacle Living may revise these protocols as warranted.
As we have all heard, Governor Northam intends to announce plans to slowly begin re-opening businesses in the Commonwealth of Virginia next week. The Governor has shared that the re-opening process will be a multi-phased process over several weeks, all focused on minimizing hospitalizations throughout the state.
A Summary of the Governor’s Plan, from his website, includes:
I understand physical isolation and changes in the way we provide services are challenging, but we must remember who we serve. Our residents are generally of an age that is most vulnerable to contracting and dying from COVID-19. Therefore, our plans will be focused on protecting our most vulnerable residents.
Our goal always has been, and always will be, the safety and wellbeing of our residents and team members. To that end, I must stress that like the Governor’s multi-phased plan to re-open Virginia, the plans we are developing will be multi-phased and catered to each Pinnacle Living community. Unlike the Governor’s plan, we will only implement our plans and move through each phase if we are successful in keeping the COVID-19 virus out of our communities.
I am sure we are all looking forward to “normal” life in our communities, but much like the plan for the Commonwealth, Pinnacle Living will not be “flipping a switch” to go back to the way things used to be. In fact, we must all be prepared for significant changes in services, programs and policies until a proven vaccine is readily available, and even after that, gatherings with hundreds of residents may be a long way off.
It will take time to finalize and begin to implement the plans our teams are developing. Assuming we do not have a COVID-19 outbreak, we intend to share these plans with residents, families and team members by Friday, May 22, 2020.
Mother’s Day is just a few days away. I am very fortunate that both of my parents are living, and I truly miss spending time with them. Unfortunately, because of the COVID-19 crisis, face-to-face visits are not possible so please consider using technology to spend time with your loved ones in the coming days. Sadly, now is not the time for us to relax, we must continue to do the good work we are doing.
As a reminder, all restrictions concerning visitation, dining, events & programs, housekeeping services, transportation and medical services will remain in place and everyone will continue to be screened as they enter the community until at least May 25, 2020.
Please continue practicing good personal hygiene and infection control by washing your hands and using hand sanitizer, wiping down high traffic work and personal areas and covering your mouth when you cough and sneeze.
Our team members continue to do heroic work, and for that I will be forever grateful. But I need to ask everyone to do a bit more. As businesses begin to re-open and life outside of our communities starts to look a little bit more normal in the coming weeks, remember those we serve are among the most likely to suffer from this virus. PLEASE remember to practice “physical distancing” of not less than six feet from people both inside and outside of our communities.
These precautions continue to be necessary, and we ask for your cooperation, support, and understanding as we continue to respond to this rapidly evolving situation.
Please continue practicing good personal hygiene and infection control by washing your hands and using hand sanitizer, wiping down high traffic work and personal areas and covering your mouth when you cough and sneeze. Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth. Please also remember to practice “physical distancing” of not less than six feet from people.
These precautions continue to be necessary, and we ask for cooperation, support, and understanding as we respond to this rapidly evolving situation. These restrictions will be in place until additional guidance is provided by health authorities. As additional information develops, Pinnacle Living may revise these protocols as warranted.
As we begin week 7 of the COVID-19 protocols put in place to protect both residents and team members, it is important to note that we are not yet near the finish line. As of this morning, there are nearly 9,000 confirmed cases of the virus state-wide with 1,500 Virginian’s hospitalized and sadly more than 300 deaths related to this horrible disease. Depending on which website you visit, or which newscast you tune in to, we may be weeks away from our worst days in Virginia.
We understand physical isolation is challenging. We all miss socializing with friends over meals, group exercise classes and visits with families. Most don’t see the efforts being made by every Pinnacle Living team member as they struggle to balance their call to serve residents with their personal need to protect loved ones.
Our communities are posting signs at our entrance ways that read “HEROES WORK HERE!” and our leadership teams are working daily to express our appreciation for those who go above and beyond to live our Mission of Enriching Life’s Journey. The other day a photo was posted on one of our community Facebook pages with a team member holding a sign that said, “NOT ALL SUPER HEROS WEAR CAPES!” In all honesty, that sign brought tears to my eyes.
Our residents and volunteers are also going above and beyond by providing cards and phone calls to residents and by sewing masks and gowns to protect our team.
To everyone, I say THANK YOU!
As I said in the opening sentence of this update, we are not yet near the finish line, and we have a long way to go before this crisis is behind us. Now is not the time for us to relax, we must persevere and continue to do the good work we are doing. As a reminder, the following restrictions remain in place for the foreseeable future:
DINING
EVENTS, PROGRAMS, AND ACTIVITIES
HOUSEKEEPING SERVICES
CLINIC VISITS, MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS, AND PHYSICAL THERAPY SERVICES
A REMINDER FOR TEAM MEMBERS:
A REMINDER FOR GUESTS, VISITORS, FAMILY MEMBERS, VENDORS, CONTRACTORS, AND VOLUNTEERS:
Please continue practicing good personal hygiene and infection control by washing your hands and using hand sanitizer, wiping down high traffic work and personal areas and covering your mouth when you cough and sneeze. Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth. Please also remember to practice “physical distancing” of not less than six feet from people.
These precautions continue to be necessary, and we ask for cooperation, support, and understanding as we respond to this rapidly evolving situation. These restrictions will be in place until additional guidance is provided by health authorities. As additional information develops, Pinnacle Living may revise these protocols as warranted.
A recent Washington Post article shared the following perspective. Daniel Aldrich, a professor of political science and public policy at Northeastern University, is concerned that the term “social distancing” is misleading and that its widespread usage could be counterproductive. The World Health Organization has come to the same conclusion. Last week, it started using the term Aldrich prefers: “physical distancing.”
Aldrich says efforts taken to slow the spread of the coronavirus should encourage strengthening social ties while maintaining physical distance.
While Pinnacle Living continues its diligent efforts to maintain a safe, healthy environment for all residents, team members, families, visitors, guests and contractors, we want to stress the importance of maintaining contact with friends and loved ones while maintaining physical distance from all – not just those who have been exposed or are sick. This is the time for us to check on friends and neighbors by phone, email, video chat or through the multitude of social media connections available today.
Although difficult, there are no plans to relax practices or service restrictions currently in place. All residents are encouraged to continue to practice cautionary isolation and self-quarantine as recommended by health officials. We ask residents to maintain physical distance, avoid social gathering, restrict travel outside of the community, and take advantage of today’s technology to remain connected.
Please review the following list of practices that remain in place and note the updated practices in bold below:
PINNACLE LIVING RESIDENTS:
DINING
EVENTS, PROGRAMS, AND ACTIVITIES
HOUSEKEEPING SERVICES
CLINIC VISITS, MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS, AND PHYSICAL THERAPY SERVICES
PINNACLE LIVING TEAM MEMBERS:
GUESTS, VISITORS, FAMILY MEMBERS, VENDORS, CONTRACTORS, AND VOLUNTEERS:
Please continue practicing good personal hygiene and infection control by washing your hands and using hand sanitizer, wiping down high traffic work and personal areas and covering your mouth when you cough and sneeze. Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth. Please also remember to practice “physical distancing” of not less than six feet from people.
These precautions continue to be necessary, and we ask for cooperation, support, and understanding as we respond to this rapidly evolving situation. These restrictions will be in place until additional guidance is provided by health authorities. As additional information develops, Pinnacle Living may revise these protocols as warranted.
Pinnacle Living continues its diligent efforts to maintain a safe, healthy environment for all residents, team members, families, visitors, guests, and contractors.
We would like to lift-up the exceptional work our team members are doing. Although the epidemic of COVID-19 has touched nearly all parts of Virginia, our team members — who are essential in providing services to our residents — continue to perform above and beyond the call of duty despite the personal challenges they face.
As we thank our team for their outstanding work with this update, we continue to be vigilant. There are no plans to relax practices or service restrictions currently in place. All residents are encouraged to continue to practice cautionary isolation and self-quarantine as recommended by health officials. We ask residents to avoid social gatherings, restrict travel outside of the community, and for everyone to take note of the following changes being made in each Pinnacle Living Community:
PINNACLE LIVING TEAM MEMBERS:
PINNACLE LIVING RESIDENTS:
DINING
EVENTS, PROGRAMS, AND ACTIVITIES
HOUSEKEEPING SERVICES
CLINIC VISITS, MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS, AND PHYSICAL THERAPY SERVICES
GUESTS, VISITORS, FAMILY MEMBERS, VENDORS, CONTRACTORS, AND VOLUNTEERS:
Please continue practicing good personal hygiene and infection control by washing your hands and using hand sanitizer, wiping down high traffic work and personal areas and covering your mouth when you cough and sneeze. Please also remember to maintain “social distances” of around six feet from people; and avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth.
These precautions continue to be necessary, and we ask for cooperation, support, and understanding as we respond to this rapidly evolving situation. These restrictions will be in place until additional guidance is provided by health authorities. As additional information develops, Pinnacle Living may revise these protocols as warranted.
Pinnacle Living continues its diligent efforts to maintain a safe, healthy environment for all residents, team members, families, visitors, guests, and contractors. The epidemic of COVID-19 has touched nearly all parts of Virginia and things are likely to only get worse before they get better.
The disease is no longer confined to travelers returning from China or Italy but is now regarded as “community spread.” COVID-19 is caused by a type of coronavirus, which is more virulent than the seasonal flu and has a much higher mortality rate than the flu.
To that end, there are no plans to relax practices and services currently in place. All residents are encouraged to continue to practice cautionary isolation and self-quarantine as recommended by health officials. Avoid social gatherings, no traveling outside of the community, and take note of the following changes being made in each Pinnacle Living Community:
Pinnacle Living Residents:
Guests, Visitors, Family Members, Vendors, Contractors, and Volunteers:
Pinnacle Living Team Members:
Pinnacle Living continues its diligent efforts to maintain a safe, healthy environment for all residents, team members, families, visitors, guests, and contractors. To that end, all residents are encouraged to practice cautionary isolation as recommended by health officials; limit social gatherings and take note of the following changes being made in each Pinnacle Living Community:
Pinnacle Living Residents:
Dining
Events, Programs, and Activities
Housekeeping Services
Clinic Visits, Medical Appointments, and Physical Therapy Services
Guests, Visitors, Family Members, Vendors, Contractors, and Volunteers:
Pinnacle Living Team Members:
Please continue practicing good personal hygiene and infection control by washing your hands and using hand sanitizer, wiping down high traffic work and personal areas and covering your mouth when you cough and sneeze. Please also remember to maintain “social distances” of around six feet from people who show symptoms; and avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth.
These additional precautions are necessary, and we ask for cooperation, support, and understanding as we respond to this rapidly evolving situation. These restrictions will be in place until additional guidance is provided by health authorities. As additional information develops, Pinnacle Living may revise these protocols as warranted.
Pinnacle Living has been closely monitoring the evolving Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in Virginia and has been taking appropriate precautionary measures to prevent entry of Coronavirus into our communities. There are no known cases of COVID-19 within any Pinnacle Living community.
However, now that there are several confirmed cases of COVID-19 throughout Virginia, Pinnacle Living is taking additional precautionary measures, effective immediately, to ensure the health, wellbeing, and safety of our residents, their families, and our team members.
Following guidance from the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC), the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), and the Central Virginia Healthcare Coalition, and out of an abundance of caution, Pinnacle Living has implemented the following temporary visitation restrictions, effective immediately.
For Guests, Visitors, Family Members, Vendors, Contractors and Volunteers:
For Pinnacle Living Residents:
For Pinnacle Living team members and contract employees:
Please continue practicing good personal hygiene and infection control by washing your hands and using hand sanitizer, wiping down high traffic work and personal areas and covering your mouth when you cough and sneeze. Please also remember to maintain “social distances” of around six feet from people who show symptoms; and avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth. If you need or have a scheduled appointment for medical services or care, please call ahead to your primary care physician or to the Clinic before departing for that visit. Please consider deferring non-emergent medical care for the foreseeable future.
These additional precautions are necessary, and we ask for cooperation, support, and understanding as we respond to this rapidly evolving situation.
Visitation restrictions will be in place until additional guidance is provided by health authorities. As additional information develops, Pinnacle Living may revise these protocols as warranted.
See What Others are Saying About Hermitage Richmond
— Simon B.
Home is one of those words that you may not know how to define, but you sure know what it is. I’m grateful that the staff is resident-driven, they keep my comfort and well-being at the top of their job descriptions, and they knew my name the first day
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— The Lam Family
The Hermitage Richmond team members are so friendly! Whenever anyone sees my mother, they make sure to call her by her name and say “hello”. They even stop to carry on a conversation with her. It makes her feel like a rock star.
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— The Howell Family
When the time came to turn the care of our loved one over to someone else, our family had to be certain we could rely on all who were to be involved, and could trust them to not only take fundamental care but also be kind and respectful. When it became necessary for our
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— Simon B.
Home is one of those words that you may not know how to define, but you sure know what it is. I’m grateful that the staff is resident-driven, they keep my comfort and well-being at the top of their job descriptions, and they knew my name the first day
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— Regina S.
For the 2½ years my mother lived at the Hermitage, she was so pleased to be there, happy, and made some wonderful friends along the way. She was cared for and loved. I am so grateful and thankful. I will forever miss this amazing woman.
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— Minerva T.
Our mother’s decision to move to Hermitage Richmond has been a blessing for her and our family. Each staff member dedicates themselves to enriching the ‘life journey’ of each resident with superb communication and compassion. After one month, mom told us
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— Kathy Boone
I just want to say how much I appreciate the over-the-top care the staff in McGuire Park have given my mother, over the years since she’s been there. She has received good care from the other staff at the Hermitage as well, for which we are very appreciative, but the folks at McGuire Park
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— Jennifer B.
Thank you for giving my mother-in-law back her life again! After a few challenging years of living in an apartment, she moved to an assisted living facility. The quality of care there was dreadful but she did not want to move. My mother-in-law declined rapidly. She was moved to a locked
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— Fran Z.
In 2009 my husband Jack, who had dementia, needed to move to a care center because of a fall and brain injury. After visiting all types and sizes of care locations, our family chose Hermitage Richmond. It was a size that allowed residents and their families to feel like we’re in a home rather
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— Elizabeth B.
I feel safe, secure, and well cared for at Hermitage Richmond. My neighbors are friendly, the daily activities are endless, and the staff is incredibly helpful and always greets me with a smile. I enjoy the peace of mind knowing I’ll never have to move if my health needs change.
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