Dear Bloom at Bluffton, Bloom at Belfair and Bloom at Hilton Head Residents, Families & Friends:
We have an update with some positive news.
As you know, we sent a detailed report last Friday October 9, 2020 (that can again be accessed here). We indicated that Bloom at Belfair (Memory Care), Bloom at Bluffton (Assisted Living and Memory Care) and Bloom at Hilton Head (Assisted Living and Memory Care) moved into Phase II Plus of our reopening plan, which means that residents are again enjoying, for example, group activities, communal dining with friends, outside entertainment and outdoor visitation in a socially distant and responsible manner pursuant to our infection control guidelines. We also indicated that Bloom at Belfair (Independent Living) moved (because it's not licensed by the State) into Phase III of our reopening plan, which means that residents could also enjoy indoor visitation and more relaxed restrictions. The only portion of Phases II Plus and III that Bloom hasn't yet implemented is resident outings and family excursions.
We also found out last Friday -- with no advance warning from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control ("DHEC") -- that South Carolina would permit indoor visitation. The state regulations had been holding us back. As promised, we've worked diligently to digest the regulations over the weekend and are ready to move Bloom at Belfair (Memory Care), Bloom at Bluffton and Bloom at Hilton Head from Phase II Plus into Phase III and permit indoor visitation effective Thursday October 15, 2020.
We so look forward to seeing you again in the communities! We want to draw your attention, however, to a few parameters:
- Each community will have a designated space for indoor and outdoor visitation. You will be offered your preference upon arrival to the community.
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Visitation, regardless of indoor or outdoor, is required to be scheduled through the Bloom Senior Living electronic system (link again below or can be found on the Bloom Senior Living website). Designated times are available based on the state specification. If you don't have an appointment, we wont be able to accommodate you.
- All visitors will be screened and temperatures taken prior to any visit with a resident. If screening criteria is not met, the visit will be denied. All visitors must wear a surgical grade mask or greater.
- All visitors will be required to maintain appropriate social distance of at least 6.”
- All visitors must be at least 18 years old or have the express permission of the Executive Director. States have age requirements for indoor visitation.
DHEC rules mandate that we continue to test associates weekly. We tested our associates last week and the results, as reported, were negative. If we find that there are one or more COVID-19 cases among staff and/or residents identified in the community within the last fourteen days or the positivity rate for Beaufort County is greater than 10%, we'll have no choice but to shut down visitation.
We're excited to be able to start further relaxing restrictions. That said, we should all anticipate that this is going to a fluid and non-linear process. We may have to start, stop and re-start parts of our reopening plan over the coming days, weeks and months depending on where the virus takes us. But we're committing to you that we'll do the hard work operationally (and everything within our control) to keep you connected with your loved ones and ensure our residents are safe and emotionally blooming.
Sincerely,
Scott and Tony Kantor, Bradley Dubin (Bloom Owners) & Lauren Thomas, Tiffany Bazen, Jeff Pogozelski and Emily Schafer (Bloom South Carolina Leadership Team)
