The November and December holidays bring fresh challenges for keeping visits safe. We understand families want, and are used to being together during the holidays but as coronavirus case numbers steadily rise in almost every state, health experts are advising we continue to limit our exposure throughout the holiday season.
At Decatur House, we take this advice seriously. In addition to our existing visitation policies we now ask any family member who is not in a resident’s usual bubble to undergo extra precautions before visiting Decatur House.
Family members coming from out of state or overseas, including college students, will be required to provide a signed document stating they’ve quarantined for 2 weeks up to their visit time or show proof of a negative Covid test (within 72 hours of their visit).
Additionally, (approved) visitors will be health-screened at the front door and led directly to the living room. Staff members will escort residents (wearing masks) to the living room and then back to their rooms or an activity after the visit ends. Visits will be limited to 2 family members per resident and will require social distancing and masks.
Visits can be reserved online.
This has been a hard year but we are getting through it together, in large part due to our having the cooperation of our residents, staff, and families to follow these, and all previously required visit safety guidelines. We’ve been virus free so far, and we’d like to keep it that way through the holidays and beyond!
Stay safe and thank you for prioritizing your, and our Decatur House family’s health as we move through these unprecedented times.
For Governor Baker’s tips on how to have a safe and healthy Thanksgiving, see the Mass.gov website: https://www.mass.gov/news/state-public-health-officials-offer-tips-for-a-safe-and-healthy-thanksgiving
