At the height of the pandemic, we implemented many COVID-19 protocols to ensure the safety of our residents and staff. This included using video chatting technology to connect residents with their families when necessary.
Thankfully, our staff is also 100% fully vaccinated to ensure the safest living conditions possible for your loved ones.
We take COVID-19 safety seriously in senior living. Learn about the recent changes we’ve made to maintain a safe environment for our residents.
Kensington Park’s COVID-19 Safety Protocols
At Kensington Park, nothing is more important to us than the health and safety of your loved ones.
That’s why we’re thrilled to announce that as of July 1, 2021, our staff has a full 100% vaccination rate. Booster shots have also been completed.
Your family is our family. We work continually to sustain a COVID-19 safe environment that complies with the latest recommendation and requirements issued by the CDC and our local Department of Health.
To ensure the safety of our residents and staff, we have implemented the following senior living COVID 19 safety protocols:
- Our staff has a 100% vaccination rate.
- Residents have a 99.5% vaccination rate.
- Vaccination and COVID tests required for all new residents prior to moving in.
- Activities teams create safe activities in smaller group settings with social distancing in place.
- “Pocket Programming” for safer one-on-one engagement.
- Reminders throughout the community to wash hands.
- Staff required to wear masks, PPE (N95, surgical masks, gloves, etc.) and social distance.
- Temperature and oxygen level monitoring throughout the day.
- High-traffic areas and touchpoints (including inside resident apartments) are disinfected regularly
- Following CDC-recommended guidelines on visitation based on resident’s condition and needs.
- Using a dedicated single point of entry into our building.
- Video conferencing apps, such as FaceTime, video chat, Skype, phone calls, Slack, and other tools to keep loved ones in touch.
Senior Living is a Safer Option Than Living at Home
During the pandemic shutdown last year, many families were concerned for their loved ones living in assisted living communities. However, living in an assisted living community is actually the safest option for seniors to insulate themselves from infectious diseases.
Let’s look at the reasons why senior living has many advantages over living at home during a pandemic.
Decreased Isolation
Isolation, especially COVID-driven isolation, can be harmful to a senior’s mental and physical health.
Fewer social connections and living at home alone can worsen social isolation, loneliness, and depression. This has a direct effect on a senior’s cognition and health, making them more susceptible to developing dementia, high blood pressure, inflammation, and immobility.
However, at an assisted living community, emphasis is on developing friendships, getting outdoors, and participating in shared life enrichment activities. These can all have a beneficial impact on your loved one’s well-being.
Increased Covid-19 Safety in Senior Living
If your loved one is living at home, they still may have to interact with potentially unvaccinated people.
For example, talking to delivery people, going to the grocery store, or dealing with handymen could potentially put your loved one at risk.
Instead, in an assisted living community, they are surrounded by a staff of fully vaccinated people who take their health seriously.
Quicker Access to Vaccinations
Seniors living in assisted living communities (and their staff) are often first in line to receive new vaccinations and booster shots, giving them a health advantage over seniors still living at home.
Fewer Household Chores and Responsibilities
In addition to loneliness and isolation, seniors often face difficulties maintaining their home and yard, especially during the winter. Unshoveled walkways or cluttered homes pose serious fall risks for seniors.
But in an assisted living community, on-staff maintenance and grounds crews are available to take care of lawn maintenance or routine repairs inside residential apartments. Housekeeping staff and laundry services also help to alleviate the responsibilities of maintaining the home so residents can focus on their health and wellness.
On-Site Rehabilitation, Nurses, and Doctors
Seniors living at home often rely on their caregivers to take them to appointments, including routine checkups, rehabilitation, refilling prescriptions, and seeing new specialists.
Over time, these appointments can cause caregiver burnout to a family member who’s juggling too many responsibilities.
At Kensington Park, we offer on-site rehabilitation services, including physical therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy.
We also have a staff of licensed nurses working 24 hours a day who can assist with medication administration, and provide additional assistance, such as bathing, grooming, and using the restroom.
In addition, we also have a physician’s office on-site that maintains regular office hours to further assist in our residents’ health.
For appointments that take place off-campus, our care coordinators can schedule transportation to and from appointments, and can even notify a resident’s family when they’re heading to appointments to keep them in the loop.
Dining Services Offering All-Day
A senior living at home may have limited access to nutritious food, particularly if they’re running low on groceries. Because many seniors can no longer drive, they rely on caregivers to bring them food or eat processed food from their pantry.
Instead, what if your loved one could eat nutritious, balanced meals every day?
The Kensington’s elegant all-day dining room offers just that — professionally cooked meals, including prime rib, salmon, and cooked vegetables.
We can also accomodate special food allergies or dietary restrictions!
Kensington Park Senior Living Community, A Safe Option For Your Loved One
Kensington Park is an independent living, assisted living, and memory care community in Kensington Park, Maryland.
We are committed to helping families find a safe, secure, and comfortable home for their loved ones. Our number one priority is the COVID-19 safety of those in our senior living communities.
At Kensington Park, we extend Our Promise to you — to love and take care of your family as we would our own.
Interested in learning more about our amenities and floor plans? Contact us today to get more information.