Local agencies and care centers are doing their best to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus 2019 to the county's most vulnerable demographic, the elderly.

Beth Herold, director of the Butler County Area Agency on Aging, said the county's eight senior centers remain in operation as of Friday.

Herold has been visiting the senior centers, where those age 60 and older can go to get a reduced-price lunch and participate in an activity, about protocol to prevent clients from exposure to COVID-19.

Effective hand-washing techniques, covering sneezes, and avoiding touching the face are some of the prevention methods Herold is teaching senior center clients.

She also worries about those who regularly get their noon meal at a senior center should state Department of Aging officials decide to mandate a closure of all centers.

“We are working on a plan, if and when we do close, for how we will distribute food,” Herold said.

She said those who arrive at their senior center by the Butler Area Rural Transit bus would likely have their meals delivered to their homes by either Nutrition Inc., which provides food at the centers, or Agency on Aging personnel.

Seniors who regularly get meals at the centers can also drive through and pick up their meals at the centers should they close, Herold said.

She said meals will not be available to all of the community's seniors.

“I'm trying to get (meals to) those who would be affected if the senior centers are closed,” she said.

The agency's senior centers are at Tanglewood in Butler as well in Cranberry Township, Mount Chestnut in Franklin Township, Chicora, Slippery Rock, Evans City, Mars and Winfield Township.

Sunnyview

Area senior citizen living facilities are taking steps to ensure an outbreak of COVID-19 like those in Washington state and other areas of the country will be all but impossible.

Tricia Kradel, administrator at Sunnyview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, said visitation of patients was suspended beginning Thursday.

Sunnyview staff called the families of all 220 patients and mailed letters as well. Kradel said Sunnyview is following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, which recommend eliminating visitation until at least March 25.

She said the residents have been apprised of the situation and are being encouraged to use a computer or one of the new iPads purchased to allow residents to video chat with their loved ones.

“We met with the patients yesterday, and we had a resident raise her hand and thank us for keeping them safe,” Kradel said. “They were very appreciative of all the steps and all the actions we are taking.”

Kradel said the center is ensuring all caregivers use proper protocol for hand washing and using hand sanitizer.

“We educate them every shift, every day,” she said.

Administration is also focused on protecting the staff from COVID-19.

“Keeping them healthy and safe is just as important as the residents,” Kradel said. “Our goal is to keep everyone safe and to prevent any transfer of (COVID-19) coming into or out of our center.”

Concordia

Concordia Lutheran Ministries in Jefferson Township has discouraged visitation of those in skilled and personal care on their campus on Marwood Road.

The action is in accordance with recommendations from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

“CMS put out a memo earlier this week outlining what you should do based on whether or not there is a positive COVID-19 case in your county or in adjacent counties,” said Natalie McKay, Concordia's administrator for skilled nursing.

She said staff screens those who still wish to visit by asking whether they have traveled to the four countries of concern, taken a cruise or experienced the symptoms of COVID-19.

“Based on their response, they are either restricted entry to the building or permitted to enter,” McKay said.

Frank Skrip, Concordia spokesman, said visitors are also asked to limit physical contact with residents.

He said residents whose families have chosen not to visit are provided antimicrobial wipes along with iPads to voice chat with their loved ones.

McKay said families have been understanding regarding the visitation protocol, which began Thursday.

“They understand we're first and foremost trying to protect our residents,” she said. “Most people have been on board with that.”

Skrip said the environmental services department has increased its focus on sanitizing “touch points” such as door knobs, table tops and keypads.

Concordia has added 25 to 50 percent more sanitation stations throughout the campus.

Skrip said caregivers and other staff are constantly educated on proper hand washing and sanitizing.

“If you don't have dry hands at Concordia, you're doing something wrong,” he said.

Misty Ingram, chief operating officer for Concordia Community Support Services, said visiting nurses and therapists continue to care for seniors in the community.

She said all patients are given a resource guide regarding the virus as well as information from the CDC.

“We want to ensure they have access to information as it relates to COVID-19,” Ingram said. “We arm our patients the best way we can to make sure we're providing that advice to them.”

She said some patients are very concerned, while others don't seem concerned at all.

Skrip said dealing with a pandemic, although it has not yet hit the county, is a new experience for many at Concordia.

“It is difficult to balance between taking precautions and maintaining our patients' and residents' quality of life,” he said. “There are a lot of happy people at Concordia and we want to make sure their quality of life isn't diminished by taking unnecessary precautions.”

Grove Manor

Jeff Black, chief business officer at Grove Manor Corp., said a proactive stance was taken at Grove Manor, a facility with 100 skilled nursing beds and 40 personal care units in Grove City.

No visitation has been allowed at Grove Manor since Monday, and only medical personnel are permitted inside the buildings housing residents and patients.

The facility is also taking the temperatures of those who enter and exit the building and tracking each individual's readings.

“If we would notice any changes, we would send that person to be tested,” Black said. “Our population is also vulnerable to the flu, so it prevents exposure to that as well.”

Regarding cleaning, a diluted bleach solution has been added to the facility's cleaning fluid, and touch surfaces are seeing more frequent wipe-downs.

“In our industry, there always seems to be a new strain of something, which is why we preach universal precautions,” Black said.

He said supervisors are checking in on staff as well to ensure they are not feeling ill or overwhelmed.

“It's really important in these kinds of situations,” Black said. “When these (viruses) come out, people are stressed out.”

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