Dear Burholme Residents and Families,

Thank you for your ongoing patience and partnership as we move through this very difficult time.  As Philadelphia and our surrounding counties have moved into the YELLOW Phase II, we at Burholme continue to look at how we can enhance the lives of our residents.  In reviewing our practices, we have decided to make a change and take a step forward with Dining Services.  Residents have eaten in their rooms for several months and we are anxious to get them back together in the Dining Room.  We also have promoted one of our Cooks from Upper Moreland, Greg Messer, to the position of General Manager at Burholme.  Greg and his team have worked in conjunction with Sis Wichterman, Personal Care Administrator and her team and we will be offering communal dining for Lunch beginning Monday June 15th.  We have temporarily set up The Gathering Place on the 1st floor as the Dining Room.  This is the room with the most space, allowing social distancing of tables and residents.  We will have 2 seatings for the Lunch offering.  We anticipate moving to communal dining for breakfast and dinner in the near future!  Greg is also looking at some more exciting changes for dining.  We were hoping to make even move changes in the YELLOW Phase II but after reviewing the Pennsylvania Department of Health and Department of Human Services guidelines, we have determined the following for the residents in Personal Care:

  1. Since our residents have “Stayed at Home” since March 12, 2020 we are not requiring masks of our residents.  We have been COVID 19 Free for both residents and employees for 3 ½ months, since the Pandemic began. (Employees have been wearing masks since April 2, 2020)
  2. Social visitation is prohibited, except for compassionate care situations.
  3. Limited healthcare personnel from licensed agencies only may be on campus. Healthcare personnel who indicate they have provided direct care to COVID positive patients, will be required to use full PPE when providing care to a Burholmer resident. Residents/Families must notify Sis Wichterman, PCA in advance if healthcare personnel are coming to Burholme.
  4. Communal dining limited (for COVID-19 negative or asymptomatic residents only), and residents may eat in the same room with social distancing (limited number of people at tables and spaced by at least 6 feet). We will begin Communal Dining at Lunch on Monday June 15, 2020.
  5. Non-medically necessary trips outside the building should be avoided; therefore, we continue to ask that residents only leave for Medically Necessary appointments. For medically necessary trips away from of the facility: The resident must wear a cloth face covering or facemask at all times. (If the resident leaves the Burholme campus, the resident may be asked to wear a mask at Burholme upon return if they are out of their room or may be asked to quarantine depending on the situation)
  6. We have the ability to virtually visit with Skype or Zoom.  And we have accommodations for social visits through a window.  Please request a visit through the Receptionist.  Advanced notice is requested.
  7. Restrict group activities, but some activities may be conducted (for COVID-19 negative or asymptomatic residents only) with social distancing, hand hygiene, and use of a cloth face covering or facemask.  We have been (since March) and continue to do group activities for residents at Burholme adhering to social distancing and proper infection control practices.
  8. 100% screening/temp checks of all persons (including residents) entering Burholme and staff temperatures are taken in/out of building
  9. Ensure all outside persons entering building have cloth face covering or facemask.
  10. 100% screening for all PC residents 1x per day with temperature checks 2x per day

We have all seen the spikes in COVID 19 cases as restrictions ease.  Thank you for your understanding and patience and we move through this Phase carefully.  We want to be vigilant, intentional and careful so that we can try to keep our Burholme campus free of COVID 19. 

It is not easy but we believe the health and well-being of our residents is paramount and we know you do as well.