Victoria Archable is a Certified Senior Advisor® and Owner of Care Patrol of Metro Atlanta, a Senior Referral and Placement Company. As a member of the Society of Certified Senior Advisors®, Victoria is equipped to provide more value and a higher level of customer satisfaction to seniors by understanding and respecting the unique physical, cognitive, emotional and spiritual aspects of the aging process.  Victoria says “Don’t start your search for assisted living without first calling Care Patrol at 404-583-1231 or emailing me at VArchable@CarePatrol.com”.

Victoria provided these guidelines when searching for an independent, assisted or nursing home during the COVID-19 pandemic:

1) What are the community’s policies and protocols for new residents?

• This could mean isolation in the apartment for the first 5-14 days after move-in.
• Families may not be allowed face to face visitations, but many communities have adopted other ways for engagement.

2) How is the community offering activities and meals for residents?

• Activities may be done in the resident’s apartment singularly or in small group setting with social distancing.
• Meals may be served in the apartment or dining room with social distancing observed.

3) How transparent is the community in disclosing cases?

• How many, if any, current or past cases of Covid has the community had?   Were the cases identified in residents or staff?
• What happens when someone tests positive for Covid?
• What is their policy regarding use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)? Do they feel they have an adequate supply to protect them from infection?
• Is the staff trained on the appropriate use of PPE?
• Do they have enough supplies to “decontaminate” as needed?
• Are they screening staff members for signs of illness, and providing them with education to reduce their exposure to COVID-19 from other health care facilities and the community?
• What is the facility doing to prevent infections?
• What other preventative measures do they have in place?
• What is their plan for testing residents and staff?
• What level of medical care can they provide if needed?
• What will happen to residents who are hospitalized and become infected? Will the community let them return once the infection is cleared?
• Do they accept COVID-19 positive residents?
• Do they accept COVID-19 recovered residents?
• Do they require testing prior to move-in?
• How will they communicate with the residents and families if someone in the community has COVID-19?
• How will they communicate updates and changes to the residents and families?