From the Desk of Harriet Polansky, Executive Director.
I realize this is an extremely stressful and unsettling time for everyone and we are doing everything possible to keep COVID-19 away from Stern Village.
It’s important to let everyone know what we are doing during the pandemic to keep our residents safe.
We’re following all the precautionary measures as per Lucy Bango, Director of Public Health for the Town of Trumbull, Megan Murphy, Emergency Management Director, the CDC, Governor Lamont, and the Department of Housing.
For Henry Stern Center, Our Congregate
- We continue to call each congregant on a daily basis and ask if they are Ok? We’ve been doing the R U Ok calls for over 6 years.
- There is no congregating allowed in the dining room, foyer, 2nd floor den and arts & crafts room
- Residents are encouraged to go outside in the nice weather, wear a face covering and social distance.
- All meals are delivered to the Congregants in styrofoam containers. The Chef and 1 Kitchen staffers wear masks and gloves when they deliver the food. Residents fill out a bi-weekly menu which is provided to the Chef.
- The only visitors allowed are nurses, aides or a family member acting in that capacity.
- Deliveries are dropped off in a designated area in the foyer, either residents pick up or staff put the items by their door.
- Anyone who signs in is asked to wash their hands.
- COVID-19 prevention and informational signs are throughout the building.
- We hired a commercial maintenance company to clean the entire building.
- All public areas, including door knobs, walls, railings, and the elevator are continually sanitized and residents’ units are cleaned weekly using bleach and water. Our cleaning person is properly outfitted.
- Only 1 person is allowed the laundry room at a time.
- We have a system in place for residents to provide the Congregate Manager necessary information.
Stern Village
- We are also making R U Ok? calls to all Villagers on a weekly basis.
- If we know that a resident is returning from another state or country, we are calling them to confirm their return and requesting they quarantine for 2 weeks
- Only 1 person is allowed in the laundry rooms at a time
- We have a system in place for residents to provide us with necessary information.
Other
- Every Wednesday, GBT provides a 20-seat bus for our residents to go to Stop & Shop. We typically have 6-8 residents going so the bus allows for social distancing.
- Residents in need are encouraged to go to the Food Pantry. They can call to have their food delivered at Stern or go to the senior center for curbside service. Each resident has the hours and phone numbers.
- Maintenance crew will only respond to emergencies or problems with plumbing, water, electricity or heat. If a resident isn’t sure, they can call the office.
- Staff is alternating working from home and working on-site.
- We are enforcing social distancing at the THA Office and asking residents to do the same.
- We have distributed easy instructions on how to make a no sew mask. Copies are in our laundry rooms and in the congregate.
I am available to the residents 24/7 by phone.