COVID 19 CORONAVIRUS Updates

Dear Residents and Families of Cayuga Nursing and Rehabilitation Center,

I am very happy to announce that we will begin to offer in-person outdoor visits as of September 16, 2020. We will be posting to our website our policy with expectations for all to follow and a fact sheet. Some of the detail is:

• Our website address is: www.cayuganursingandrehab.org
• Visits are outdoor only (weather permitting)
• Visits are limited to 2 visitors at a time
• All visitors must be screened successfully before a visit can occur
• Social distancing (6 feet) and mask wearing MUST be adhered to – hugging and kissing are not allowed at this time
• All visits will be supervised by CNRC staff
• Visits will be no longer than 30 minutes in length
• At this time, only one visit per week will be allowed
• Visits will be scheduled M-F starting at 1 pm ending at 4 pm
• Food and drink will not be allowed
• Reservations for visits are to be made 48 hours in advance
• Residents in a 14 day quarantine or observation period are not eligible for visits

As we continue to navigate this new pandemic world we ask for your patience. This is a great first step into providing our residents and families with the contact they so deserve. Our primary focus is to protect the safety of our residents and at times we may need to adjust and/or change our policies as we learn.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support during this time. We depend on each other to do our best to keep ourselves, our residents, and our staff as healthy and safe as possible. Please contact Kevin Dean if you have any questions. Kevin is coordinating the visit program. kdean@cayuganursingandrehab.org.

Best,

Maureen Cerniglia
Administrator
Cayuga Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

Back to top

I am thrilled to report that the recent situation regarding a resident here at Cayuga Nursing and Rehabilitation Center that had tested positive for COVID-19 has been resolved. Per direction of the New York State Department of Health, after testing of all staff and residents of the facility and 14 days of ongoing monitoring of our residents for signs/symptoms of COVID-19, we have been allowed to begin lifting of restrictions that were required. This means that the contact/droplet precautions placed on our second-floor unit has been lifted. All residents of the facility will be required to wear facemasks when out of their rooms and when staff are providing care to them. It will be encouraged that all residents stay on their assigned units. The facility has been and continues to work with the NY State Department of Health to collaboratively set up protocols and action items.

Our window visitation program will resume as of August 6, 2020. There will be some changes to the program. Window visits will be by appointment only – currently we are offering the window visit program M-F from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. To accommodate the requirements, we will be scheduling one window visit at a time. Window visits will have a maximum time limit of 30 minutes. All visitors and the resident will be required to wear masks to and from the visit and during the visit. Failure to wear the masks may be cause for us to terminate the visit. These requirements are being made in an abundance of caution and reducing the risks for all. We appreciate your assistance with complying. Please call (607) 273-8072 and ask the receptionist to schedule your visit.

There is hope that Cayuga Nursing and Rehabilitation Center may be granted permission to offer limited in- person visits within the next few weeks. This permission is granted through the New York State Department of Health. Once we have received this determination we will be in contact with the details of the program.

Therapeutic Recreation staff will continue to be providing in-room visits and activities to help our residents through this difficult time. Virtual visits are always available if you wish.

We are working diligently and continue to be committed to protecting our residents and staff. Your support and understanding during these unprecedented times are very appreciated. I will be sending out additional updates as our information changes. If you have any questions, please contact Kevin Dean at (607)-273- 8072.

Regards,

Maureen Cerniglia
Administrator

Back to top

Dear Residents and Families;

I would like to provide you an update of our recent situation with a resident here at Cayuga Nursing and Rehabilitation Center testing positive for COVID-19 this past week. As previously reported, the facility has been and continues to work with the NY State Department of Health in conjunction with the Tompkins County Health department and our medical team to collaboratively set up protocols and action items.

One of the action items was that we were directed to test all our residents and staff to confirm their current COVID-19 status. This included retesting of the resident that had tested positive. I am very pleased to share that we have completed all the testing required and have received the majority of the testing results, which have all been negative. This is fantastic news. At this time I am cautiously optimistic that Cayuga Nursing and Rehabilitation Center is COVID-19 free and has been.

In an abundance of caution, we will continue to implement and follow the strategies that were put into place for at least another week or longer. These strategies include limiting movement of residents between units, isolation of some residents to their rooms and strict adherence to all infection control practices by all.

Our Therapeutic Recreation staff are providing in-room visits and activities to help our residents through this difficult time. Virtual visits are always available if you wish.

We are working diligently and continue to be committed to protecting our residents and staff. Your support and understanding during these unprecedented times are very appreciated. I will be sending out additional updates as our information changes. If you have any questions, please call Maureen Robinson, our Social Worker. Her number is 607-273-8072, ext #103.

Regards,

Maureen Cerniglia
Administrator

Back to top

Dear Residents and Families;

I am writing to inform you that we have received notice that a resident of our facility has tested positive for COVID-19. This test result was received as part of our process and plan for testing staff and residents of the facility routinely for COVID-19. The affected resident is and continues to be in isolation from all other residents.

Upon this notification we immediately began working with the NY State Department of Health, Tompkins County Health department and our medical team collaboratively. We have implemented strategies to minimize any additional potential risks of exposure for both residents and staff. Screening of all staff and residents per shift for symptoms of the virus will continue. A focus on using facemasks, proper handwashing procedures and infection control standards will be reinforced to all.

I am sorry to say that this positive test will delay our ability to open up for in-person visits. You can still call and schedule virtual visits. We are working diligently and continue to be committed to protecting our residents and staff.

Your support and understanding during these unprecedented times are very appreciated. I will be sending out an update as our information changes. If you have any questions, please call Maureen Robinson, our Social Worker. Her number is 607-273-8072, ext #103.

Regards,

Maureen Cerniglia
Administrator

Back to top

Dear Family Members and Responsible Parties of Residents of Cayuga Nursing and Rehabilitation Center,

On July 10, 2020 we received notification that the New York Department of Health will be allowing visitation to occur in nursing homes. We are currently working on a plan for submission to New York Department of Health for approval.

We are very excited about this news and hope to have a plan within the next week. Some things we do know and can share with you are:

• All visits must be by appointment only.
• We will be limited to only allowing 10 percent of our resident census for the maximum number of visitors in the facility.
• All visitors must be screened for COVID-19 and will be required to wear a mask at all times.
• All visitors will be required to maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet.

Please understand until we have an approved visitation plan from the New York State Department of Health we are still restricting visitation.

Back to top

We have begun testing all of our employees twice weekly for COVID 19 in accordance Govennnor Cuomo's executive order.. At this time no one has tested positive.

Also in accordance to Govenor Cuomo's order we have begun testing all of our residents for COVID 19. At this time no one has tested positive.

We continue to isolate those residents who have left the facility for any reason. These residents are isolated until such a time that they have had two negative test results.

Back to top

We apologize that the updates have not been updated recently

We still have no cases of COVID 19 in our facility. None of our residents have been diagnosed nor have any of our employees.

We are following the mandate set forth by Governor Cuomo and are now testing our employees twice weekly. We have not had anyone test positive for COVID 19.

We are still utilizing our isolation unit.

If there comes a time when a resident or employee is diagnosed with COVID 19 we will notify all resident representatives within 24 hours of us learning that someone has tested positive.

Window visits continue and electronic visits continue to happen. You can call (607) 273-8072 to set up an appointment.

Back to top

We still have NO cases of COVID 19 in the facility.

We continue to monitor all residents and employees.

We have been busy keeping the residents engaged with their loved ones. With Mother's Day being Sunday we are expecting to be quite busy with window and Google Duo visits. Please call (607) 273-8072 to schedule a time. We will be utilizing pop-up canopies this weekend due to the weather forecast.

Back to top

We still have NO cases of COVID 19 at Cayuga Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

We have begun testing residents. The residents being tested are those who, we have had to isolate due to leaving the building, as well as, those who may exhibit any symptoms. We are screening our residents at least twice daily for symptoms. Thus far we have not had any residents exhibiting any symptoms. If a resident leaves the facility they must be isolated until two negative test results.

In recent weeks we have developed a data base containing the email addresses of our resident's primary contacts. This data base will be used to convey important information. We believe that email will be the quickest and most efficient way to communicate information. If you are the primary contact for one of our residents and did not receive an email explaining how stimulus checks will be distributed, please contact us at (607) 273-8072.

If a resident and/or employee is diagnosed with COVID 19 we will contact resident's family members/ resident representatives within 24 hours of the facility receiving confirmation of the diagnosis. This notification will come via email or phone message.

We do NOT have any employees diagnosed with COVID19. We continue to screen all of our employees as they arrive at the facility. If an employee works more than eight hours they must be re-screened.

We currently are NOT facing any shortages, including PPE.

Back to top

We apologize for the lack of updates. We will do our best to update at least twice weekly.

We still have NO cases of Covid 19 in the facility.

We still have NO employees diagnosed with Covid 19.

We continue to monitor our residents and our staff regularly. What does that mean? Well for our residents: We are taking temps and O2 levels every 8 hours. Since this virus is an attack on a person's respiratory system we are checking O2 levels as a drop in levels may be a sign of infection. We have taken one half of the first floor and have made the rooms isolation rooms. Any new admissions will be isolated for 14 days in one of these rooms. Any resident who leaves the facility is placed in an isolation room upon return for 14 days. If any resident leaves their perspective unit they must wear a mask. We are trying our best to maintain social distancing. However, given that some of our resident have dementia this is, at times,is difficult to enforce.

How we monitor our employees: upon arriving to the facility each employee must be screened. This screening includes a questionnaire of possible symptoms, a temperature check, and an O2 level taken. Any employee working a double must report to the reception area for a recheck prior to the second shift worked.

We promise you we are doing all we can to keep your loved ones safe!! THIS IS OUR HIGHEST PRIORITY!!!

Window visits continue, as well as video calls, please call for an appointment.

Back to top

We still have NO cases of COVID 19 in the facility. Please rest assured that we are taking many measures to limit the likelihood of getting COVID 19 in the facility. However, no facility can be 100% safe, therefore, we have also put policies in place as to how we will respond if COVID 19 is found in the facility.

We continue to closely monitor our employees. We are still not allowing visitors into the building.

WE ARE HIRING!! If you were in the process of receiving your license or have let your license lapse NYSDOH has made provisions that skilled nursing facilities may hire as if those people's licences were valid pending the passing of several competency exams. Even more good news is that we have raised the pay wages of all nursing staff, and working with the union to address increases for other departments.Please visit our employment page or call Austen at (607) 273-8072 for more details.

We are currently not facing any shortages of supplies or PPEs. However we are accepting donations of maks.

We are also still accepting correspondences for our residents. Please feel free to send an electronic greeting to kdean@cayuganursingandrehab.org. We also are still accepting letters and cards from area schools that wish to participate in our pizza party contest. These correspondences are held for a period of no less than three days prior to being delivered to residents. they can be sent to: Any Resident 1229 Trumansburg Rd. Ithaca NY 14850.

Back to top

We have NO cases of Covid 19 at Cayuga Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

We continue to monitor all employees daily.

We are still NOT facing any shortages.

We have some exciting news here at the facility. We are happy to announce that Maureen Cerniglia has joined the staff of Cayuga Nursing and Rehabilitation Center as our new administrator. Maureen Cerniglia comes to us with many years of experience. She is a community minded individual who has the experience, compassion, and professionalism to lead us through this difficult time and beyond. Stay tuned for when we announce our meet and greet.

Back to top

We still have NO cases of COVID 19 at Cayuga Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

We continue to monitor all employees.

We are NOT facing any shortages of supplies.

Due to popular demand we will be expanding the hours of window visits. Please call 273.8072 to schedule your appointment.

PLEASE keep those electronic greetings coming. Send pictures or video clips. Dryden school band members have been sending in clips and the residents love them. Send them to kdean@cayuganursingandrehab.org!!

Please rest assured that your family member is safe and being take care of to the best of our abilities. Everyone stay safe out there!!

Back to top

We still have NO cases of COVID 19 at Cayuga Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

We continue to monitor all employees.

We continue to monitor all health care agencies and follow those recommendations.

We continue to receive electronic greetings. Several schools are sending music clips. They are awesome!!

Window visits and face time continue. Call for an appt.

Back to top

We still have NO cases of COVID 19 at Cayuga Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

We continue to monitor our employees.

Window visits continue even in the rain. We also continue to offer Google Duo visits.

Back to top

We have NO cases of COVID 19 at Cayuga Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

We continue to monitor all employees.

We continue to monitor the health agencies NYSDOH, CDC, and TCDOH for any updates regarding the pandemic and how we as a skilled nursing facility should respond.

Our residents remain priority #1.

We are NOT having any shortages of supplies.

Spirits of our residents remain high.

Please remember to call and schedule times for window visits or face time.

Back to top

Given today's weather forecast we WILL be holding window visits today call (607) 273-8072 for an appointment.

We still have NO cases of COVID 19 at Cayuga Nursing and rehabilitation Center.

We continue to monitor employees.

We are still hiring!!!!!

Please keep sending those electronic messages. The residents love them.

Back to top

Given the current weather conditions we WILL be holding window visits today. Please call (607) 273-8072 to set an appointment.

We still have NO cases of COVID 19 in Cayuga Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

We continue to monitor all of our employees.

We WILL get through this!!!!!

Window visits are a hit!!! Call and set one up.

Back to top

Due to the current weather forecast for this afternoon we will NOT be having window visits today.

We still have NO cases of COVID 19 at Cayuga Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

We still are screening all employees.

We are hiring!!! Every department has openings. We are not just hiring for the outbreak but permanent positions. We will be starting a CNA class soon. As you may imagine our staffing is taking somewhat of a hit. This is mostly due to schools being shut down and little to no child care is available. However, all residents are still being cared for. Things may take a little longer to get done but they are getting done. Administrative staff have been filling in where they can. Passing trays, cleaning rooms, even washing resident's hair.

PLEASE keep those electronic greetings and cards coming to kdean@cayuganursingandrehab.org

Back to top

We do NOT have any cases of COVID 19 at Cayuga Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

We continue to screen all employees.

We are hiring for every position so anyone looking for a job please give Austen a call at (607) 273-8072

Please keep those cards coming the residents love it.

Back to top

We have no cases of Covid 19 at Cayuga Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

We continue to monitor our employees each and every shift.

Google Duo visits continue please call to schedule a time.

We have received many correspondences from those out in the community. Keep it up as the resident are loving it.

Starting Monday weather permitting we will begin window visits.

Instructions for resident window visits:

• Visits will only be held WEATHER PERMITTING. We do not want our families getting ill and compromising their immune system.
• Families should arrive 5-10 minutes prior to scheduled time. Once here the family should call and announce their arrival. The family will come to door and a staff member will greet them and escort them to the visitation window. We ask that only 2 visitors at a time.
• Each day we will post on Facebook and on our website as to whether or not we will be conducting visits. This will be done by 11AM. Visits at this time will only be held during the afternoon.
• We are looking into installing intercoms. however, until that is accomplished please bring a cell phone with you. the resident will have a phone which you will call and be able to speak with the resident.

Please call (607) 273-8072 to set an appointment.

Back to top

We have NO cases of COVID 19 at Cayuga Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

We continue to monitor all employees.

We are not experiencing any shortages.

We are strongly encouraging any and all to send electronic greeting to kdean@cayuganursingandrehab.org

Please stay tuned as we are anticipating a major announcement within the next day or two.

For all of our families.......... Please take care of yourselves. We here at Cayuga Nursing and Rehabilitation Promise that we will do our very best to continue to provide excellent care to your loved ones.

If you have any concerns about your loved one, the care they are receiving, how the facility is responding to this crisis, or any other matter pertaining to the facility or your family member do not hesitate to call. You can call (607) 273-8072 and ask for Kevin or ext 122 and the call will be returned within 2 hours during normal business hours. On the weekends the call will be returned during the early afternoon. We want you to feel comfortable and rest assured that your loved one is being well taken care of.

Back to top

Currently there are NO cases of COVID 19 in our facility.

Monitoring of employees continues to occur. We have sent employees home if they have experienced any symptom.

Our residents continue to do very well. The resiliency of our residents continues to astound those of us around them.

We are still not experiencing any shortages.

There has been some mention on social media complaining about how residents are being taken care of, both here and at other facilities. Please, if there are any concerns from our families or the community at large, feel free to contact me. This is a trying time for all. We do not want our families scared for their loved ones. You can reach me at the facility by phone at (607) 273-8072 or by email at kdean@cayuganursingandrehab.org

Back to top

We have NO cases of COVID 19 at Cayuga Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

We continue to monitor our employees. We do not have any employees diagnosed with COVID 19.

We continue to monitor our resident "hotline."

Many of our residents are enjoying be able to "face time" with their loved ones.

Letter and electronic greetings are pouring in from area schools and organizations. If you would like to send an electronic greeting it may be sent to kdean@cayuganursingandrehab.org. we are putting the greetings on a flash drive and plying them on our internal channel on our tv's.

Starting this weekend we will be having window visits. On Saturday and Sunday from 12 to 4 we will be holding window visits. If you call the receptionist at (607) 273-8072 and schedule a time. Due to limited space we are asking that these visits are limited to 30 minutes. Thank you for your understanding. You can also call and schedule a time to "skype" with your loved one. We have learned that Skyping is often difficult to download and use. Therefore we are now using Google Duo. This is a very simple app to use.

We have been very busy taking care of our residents. So far it appears that the COVID 19 has had little impact on our residents We continue to monitor info services such as CDC, NYSDOH, TCDOH, and adjust our procedures as recommended.

Back to top

We have NO cases of COVID 19 at Cayuga Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

We continue to monitor our employees for any symptoms of the virus.

We continue to man and monitor the resident "hotline" Please feel free to utilize this service.

We have stopped using Skype. We will now be using google duo for video conferencing between residents and their families. Google Duo is a much friendlier service to use. Please feel free to call the facility to set up a time for video conferencing. (607) 273-8072

A more detailed explanation of how these services work can be found on earlier posts.

We are still not facing any shortages.

Back to top

There are No cases of COVID 19 at Cayuga Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

We continue to monitor our employees and residents. Please remember to utilize the "hotline" as well as, Skype. We still have no idea how long the ban on visitation will last.

We are still not facing any shortages of supplies and food.

Although some days (such as today) there may not be any new news we will continue to update this site daily.

Please stay safe and remember to was your hands!!!

Back to top

We have NO cases of COVID 19 in the facility.

Care continues to be provided by our highly professional staff. We still are not facing any shortages of any sort.

We are manning our resident "hotline" We are now accepting appointments for skype for the entire building. The appointments are 20 minutes long and typically during business hours. However, we can and will make exceptions if need be.

We are sponsoring a contest for all area schools. We are asking the students who are now home from school to write emails, send video or audio clips and even send cards and letters through snail mail. The snail mail may have to be quarantined for a few days. We are still awaiting guidance from NYSDOH and USPS. Emails and electronic greetings can be sent to kdean@cayuganursingandrehab.org and snail mail may be sent to "Any Resident" 1229 Trumansburg Rd Ithaca NY 14850. If a student is corresponding please include the class and school of which the student belongs.

With schools closing we are anticipating that our already stressed staffing situation may continue to become more problematic. Again we ask our families to continue to be patient with us and utilize the systems we have put in place to maintain contact. We are not seeing an end to the ban on visitors so we are asking the public at large to not forget our seniors and take five minutes to send an email.

Back to top

There are NO cases of COVID 19 at Cayuga Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

There is 1 confirmed case of COVID 19 in Tompkins County.

We continue to monitor our employees.

We are in close contact with New York State Dept. of Health and Tompkins County DOH. We have implemented each policy suggested by DOH.

We are manning our resident "Hotline"

We are taking appointments for Skype. Please call (607) 273-8072 for an appt.

It appears that the ban on visitors will remain in effect for an extended period of time. There is concern as to how this will affect our residents in the long run. We encourage our families to make every effort to maintain contact with their loved one. Many of our residents do not have family who visit on a regular basis. It is these residents who will be affected the most. It is these residents who depend on the visits of others families, volunteers, and clergy to brighten their days. We are asking the community to remember our residents. With schools now closed in Tompkins County and undoubtedly other counties will follow suit we are putting forth a challenge to our community's youth. Send cards, send letters, send silly pictures, since there is no school spend 20 minutes writing a letter to someone here at our facility. send them to Any Resident 1229 Trumansburg Road Ithaca, NY 14850.

Back to top

There are currently NO cases of COVID 19 at Cayuga Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Gov. Cuomo has set forth a mandate that as of 5PM today no non-medical visitors will be allowed in any nursing facility throughout NYS.

We continue to monitor all of our employees as they arrive for their scheduled shift. This monitoring will continue.

We at cayuga Nursing and Rehabilitation Center understand that this is a very trying time not only for our residents and staff but for our families as well. We are making and will continue to make every effort to maintain contact between you and your loved ones. we are implementing several ways to keep families in touch. As mentioned yesterday we have begun a resident "hotline." We encourage families to utilize this system when inquiring about a loved ones general medical condition.

Effective immediately families wishing to send a short video and/or audio clip to their loved one may do so by emailing the clip to kdean@cayuganursingandrehab.org. The clip will then be delivered to your loved one.

We now have the ability to skype!! If you would like to Skype with your loved one please call the facility at (607) 273-8072 and arrange for an appt. We will set an appt and provide yoou with the address to use. One of our staff will assist your loved one with the call at the appt time. We are asking that calls be limited to 20 mins to allow all residents to utilize this system.

We again want to express our continued appreciation for everyone's patience. We promise you that we will continue to work with you in order to maintain contact with your loved ones and keep you apprised of how our facility is coping with COVID 19.

There has been much talk in the media regarding the shortage of much needed supplies. we are NOT currently facing any shortages. We are not anticipating that this will be a problem as our vendors have assured us that supply lines remain open.

Back to top

We at Cayuga Nursing and Rehabilitation Center want to thank all of our families fir being patient during this time of confusions and frustration. We are working hard to address all issues and concerns that COVID 19 and the resulting ban on visitors has caused. We are committed to keeping all of you and the community up to date as to how COVID 19 is affecting us.

The ban on non-medical visitors remains in effect.. This bad will remain in effect for the foreseeable future.

There are NO cases of COVID 19 at Cayuga Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

We are working on a system that will allow our residents and their families to "tele-visit." Hopefully this system will be available in the near future.

We have set up a "hotline" for our families. If you have any concerns rearding your loved one you are invited to call the hotline at (607) 273-8072 x122. You will be asked to leave your name, a contact number, and the name of your loved one. During regular business hours a call will be returned to you within 2 hours. During off hours a call will be returned in the morning. During the weekends the "hotline" will be chacked at noon on Saturday and Sunday and calls will be returned then. As per usual if any acute events occur, families will be notified immedictaely.

Having this system in place we are hoping to limit the number of calls being placed to the nursing units. Every minute a nurse is on the phone is one less minute the nurse will be providing direct care. Thank you!!

We are currently screening each employee as they arrive for their scheduled shift. This policy will remain in effect until further notice.

Back to top