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COVID-19

Communities that serve seniors are at an increased risk for COVID-19.

We remain committed to the health and safety of our staff and residents, while keeping our community informed. Early on we addressed this by putting a number of policies and procedures in place that focused on the safety of our residents and staff.

Thank you to the dedicated staff that work even harder now during this pandemic to keep our residents safe and happy – you are truly Heroes.

Below you’ll find information about the restrictions in place, what we’re doing to keep our residents engaged and active, and helpful links and contacts for more information.

You can also sign up for our email list and receive updates about what’s happening at Three Pillars and specifically around COVID-19.

If you have any questions, please contact Diana Marquardt, RN, our Infection Preventionist, RN at dmarquardt@threepillars.org

Thank you.

Mark Strautman, President & CEO

Background Information

       Onsite Visits        

  Current Restrictions   

Guidelines & Precautions

   Maintaining Health    

            Wellness          

     How Can I Help?      

  Stay Connected  

              FAQs               

Three Pillars' COVID-19 Hotline

Questions? Concerns? Call Us. 

262.965.7094

 

Background Information

What is a coronavirus and COVID-19?

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses which may cause illness in animals or humans. In humans, several coronaviruses are known to cause respiratory infections ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases, such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). The most recently discovered coronavirus causes coronavirus disease COVID-19.

COVID-19 is the infectious disease caused by the most recently discovered coronavirus in December 2019.

Watch for symptoms of COVID-19 (Last updated November 19, 2020)

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.

People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:

  • Fever greater than 100 degrees
  • New or worsening cough (not associated with an existing/known condition – smoking, snoring, allergy nasal drip).
  • New or worsening shortness of breath or difficulty breathing (not associated with existing/known condition or anxiety).
  • Sore throat (not associated with an existing/known condition – smoking, snoring, allergy nasal drip).
  • Myalgia (muscle/body aches of unknown cause).
  • Chills
  • Chills with repeated shaking
  • New, worsening, or unexplained headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • New, worsening, or unexplained congestion or runny nose
  • New, worsening, or unexplained nausea or vomiting
  • New, worsening, or unexplained diarrhea

You can learn more by going to the Centers for Disease Control Symptom page. 

Find testing information for Wisconsin by going to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services! 

Delta Variant and what we know (Last updated August 16, 2021)

In late June, the CDC released updated guidance on protecting oneself and others from COVID-19 due to several concerning developments, but primarily the Delta variant. The Delta variant is the current cause of more infections and is 2x more contagious than previous variants. According to the CDC's website, as of August 6, 2021, the Delta variant is the predominant strain of the virus in the US. 

What are we doing to keep our residents and staff safe? (Last updated August 16, 2021)

  • Requiring all staff wear a surgical mask while at work
  • Shields and Gogggles are required in certain areas of campus
  • Screening all staff before the start of their shift
  • Following a strict cleaning and disinfection process across campus
  • Offering rapid testing for all staff; requiring it for staff who are unvaccinated
  • Testing new, returning, and symptomatic residents
  • Following requirements and guidance for safe communal dining and activities
  • Implementing shopping alternatives for residents
  • Facilitating video calls and window visits to help our residents and families stay in touch
  • Sending regular staff and family updates

Onsite Visits (Last updated August 16, 2021)

  • For onsite indoor or outdoor visits:
    • Please note that ALL visitors to campus must sign-in and screen at an Accushield kiosk in the entrance of the building they're visiting. You'll receive a visitor sticker badge upon successful sign-in. 
    • Please follow visitor guidelines for the building you are visiting - surgical masks and face shield/goggles may be required. Your vaccination status may alter this requirement.
    • COVID-19 testing is not required before visiting, although we are happy to offer them to interested visitors.
    • For Riverside Lodge, Compass Point, and Masonic Center for Health & Rehab residents, a Resident Negotiated Risk and Waiver of Liability Agreement is required by the resident or Resident Responsible Party before or at the time of the first in-person, onsite visit during the pandemic, whether it's indoors or outdoors. This form is kept on file. If you are the Healthcare Power of Attorney for an RSL, CP, or MCHR resident, please complete this form.
    • We also suggest reading the CDC's resource, "How to Protect Yourself and Others from COVID-19"
    • Each visitor must complete an Onsite Visit Informed Consent and Assumption of Risk form. This form is then kept on file, so you only need to complete it (or a similar Indoor/Outdoor version of it) once. We invite you to print and bring it along with you, or we will have copies available.
    • For the safety of the residents and our community, after any onsite visit, we ask all visitors to self-monitor for symptoms found on this “Post Visitation Self Screen” form.
    • Onsite visit contacts:
    • Cayla Piehl for Riverside Lodge | 262.965.7300 or email
    • Angela Thomas for Masonic Center for Health and Rehab | 262.965.7424 or email
    • Jodi Cigelske for Compass Point | 262.965.7250 or email
    • Heidi Behlke for Village on the Square | 262.965.7421 or email
  • As of May 1, 2021, our campus guest lodging options are available for rent!
    Read the details here. Contact our Concierge team to inquire about a reservation. 
     
  • For Virtual or Window visits, please contact the following:
    • Cayla Piehl for Riverside Lodge | 262.965.7300 or email
    • Melissa Gibbs for Masonic Center for Health and Rehab | 262.965.7233 or email
    • Tina Rose Compass Point | 262.965.7232 or email
    • Concierges for Village on the Square | 262.965.7390 or email

We look forward to seeing you on campus soon - thank you!
 

Current Restrictions, Cancelations, and Closures (Last updated September 3, 2021)

The majority of our resident activities have been reinstated for our vaccinated residents, with some restrictons for our unvaccinated residents. We continue to monitor the trends of the pandemic and make changes to our activities and events when needed. 

Current Guidelines for Programs and PPE by Building: MCHR is currently under outbreak status. 

Our Wellness Connection is currently closed. Please note: We’re reviewing reopening plans, but do not have firm dates at this time. We’ll update everyone as soon as we get closer to reopening. 

For Waukesha data, visit the Waukesha County website.

Guidelines & Precautions 

An important part of staying healthy is paying attention to and practicing the precautions we have in place.  

We follow guidelines and requirements from the Wisconsin Department of Health, and those from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), which are based on the CDC (Center for Disease Control & Prevention) guidelines.

Some of the most important things we can do to protect ourselves and others includes:

  • Wear a mask when out in public
  • Practice good hand hygiene, including washing your hands for a minimum of 20 seconds and high alcohol hand sanitizer when soap is not readily available
  • Maintain good social distancing of at least six feet while around others
  • Stay home when you’re sick
  • Avoid mass transit, but wear a mask if it's necessary 

How We're Maintaining Our Physical, Social, and Spiritual Health

We are committed to our residents’ happiness, while providing them opportunities to remain active. The COVID-19 restrictions and requirements only strengthened that commitment, and even opened our eyes to new opportunities that will stick around long after the pandemic.

During the months the restrictions were most stringent, we worked hard to creatively keep our residents physically, socially, and spiritually healthy, engaged, and connected. Whether it was scheduled window visits, outdoor scavenger hunts, or Bingo via Zoom, there were still a lot of ways to have fun at Three Pillars. Now, as restrictions relax, we're grateful to be able to offer a bit more programming to our residents. Read below about all we did during the pandemic. 

  • Read more about a few ways our team worked with our residents during the pandemic.
  • In honor of Older Americans Month in May 2021, we created our seventh annual music video – read the press release here and watch the video here
  • We know it was hard for our residents and their loved ones not to see each other regularly or have social visits. We offered (and continue to offer!) options and make it simple to set up a window visit or virtual call with someone who lives at Three Pillars. Please contact us if you're interested and we’ll be happy to arrange that:
    • Compass Point: Tina Rose, 262.965.7232
    • Masonic Center for Health & Rehab: Melissa Gibbs, 262.965.7233
    • Village on the Square: Concierge team, 262.965.7390
    • For instructions on how to use Zoom for a virtual call, click here.
  • View our photo gallery featuring all the ways we’ve stayed physically, socially, and spiritually healthy, engaged, and connected during COVID-19 
  •  

We get by with a little help from our friends – the community rallied around our residents and staff to show their enormous support and love!

Wellness

Our Wellness Connection Coordinator, along with our Lifestyles and Recreation teams, are doing everything they can to keep our residents in touch with their loved ones and engaged with creative activities.

Wellness is important - you are your best investment! That means doing what you can manage each day to meet physical, mental, spiritual, social, intellectual, environmental, and financial needs.

Here are some helpful resources:

  • Movement is important, but make sure you do what works for you. You know your body best. Slowly progressing into a daily movement routine is smart training. Try this simple chair movement to get started.
  • It’s amazing what five minutes of mindfulness can do for you. Take time to relax and be present with this five-minute guided body scan.
  • Every day is a new opportunity, and taking as little as 10 minutes for yourself each day has been proven to make a positive impact on health in a variety of ways.

We look forward to offering more opportunities for you to find your happy, healthy place. If you would like more information, please contact Dawn Mans, our Wellness Connection Coordinator at 262.965.7017.

How Can I Help? (Last updated August 16, 2021)

We are humbled by the generosity of individuals, families, friends, and businesses who have asked how they can help our staff and residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our staff are working hard to safeguard the well-being of our seniors, and we are grateful for the support we continue to receive.

We get a lot of questions about how to help or get involved. The following are ways to support our work:

  • Make a financial contribution and cover the cost incurred for our new Accushield screening kiosks, which allow staff and approved visitors/vendors to answer screening questions and have their temperature taken before coming into Three Pillars. Make an online donation here to support these critical efforts.
  • Donate personal protective care items. We are always in need of the following items, which are put directly to use:
    • Hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol
    • Face shields
    • Surgical masks
  • Donations can also be mailed to:

Three Pillars Senior Living Communities

Attn: Chief Development Officer

375 State Road 67

Dousman, WI 53118

Thank you for your kindness and support!                     

Stay Connected

FAQs

Below, please find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions:

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  I want to drop off a package for my loved one - where do I do that?

You may label and drop the package off in the vestibule of the building in which your loved one resides at. A member of our team will retrieve, sanitize (if applicable), and deliver it. If it’s something that cannot wait in the vestibule, please call ahead to arrange the drop-off:

  • MCHR – 262.965.2111
  • Riverside Lodge – 262.965.7397
  • Compass Point – 262.965.7180
  • Village on the Square – 262.965.7390
  A resident has an outside appointment - do they need to isolate when they come back?

No, they do not. They must wear a mask and maintain social distancing while out in public. We encourage residents to leave only for essential medical appointments.

  If a resident who's previously been in isolation takes a COVID-19 test and the results are negative, can they get out of isolation sooner?

The short answer is no. Our regulatory guidance from the Department of Health Services (DHS) is that residents who are new residents, readmissions, or symptomatic need to isolate for 14 days regardless of a negative test result. Our clinical staff recommend that approach throughout campus areas not licensed through DHS. 

  Do I have to wear a mask and face shield/goggles when visiting?

Please inquire at the building you're visiting. Most buildings require a surgical mask, but this may vary depending on your vaccination status and where you're visiting.

  My loved one resides at Three Pillars and I'd like to bring them to my home for a meal - can I do that?

Yes, it is the right of all residents to come and go, but depending on the circumstance and safety measures taken, the resident may be asked to isolate on return in order to protect neighboring residents.

  What do I need to know before coming for a visit?

On-site visits are now allowed - please see our On-Site Visits section for more information and our current policies. (Updated February 25, 2021).