*Updated 3/13/20

As we continue to monitor both the state and federal responses to addressing the coronavirus (COVID-19), Pennswood Village has implemented heightened precautionary measures to protect and ensure the health and wellness of our residents and employees.  Our priority remains in keeping our community safe and well-informed while vigilantly minimizing the potential introduction and spread of the coronavirus.  It is important to note that there are no known coronavirus cases at Pennswood Village at this time.  As this situation further develops, we will continue to provide updated communication on this website.

Under the guidance of our onsite Medical Director, Dr. Firas Saidi, and our highly trained healthcare professionals, we have implemented hygiene and sanitary control measures throughout our community to reduce the onset and spread of the virus. Our healthcare staff is trained in infection control practices and follows established protocols based on that training. They have extensive experience in managing illness outbreaks, such as the flu, and they have emergency preparedness and infection prevention and control plans in place to effectively address the coronavirus. In addition, we are strictly adhering to the guidelines and recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), as well as our state and local health agencies. 

Pennswood Village’s COVID-19 Advisory Committee (PCAC) has developed a Plan of Action against the Spread of Illnesses.

The PCAC meets daily and evaluates the current updates on the situation in Pennsylvania and in our local area.  In an abundance of caution, Pennswood is adhering to all CDC guidelines as well as implementing additional safeguards to best control and prevent the introduction and spread of the COVID-19 virus. 

The following information and protocol apply primarily to visitors of Pennswood Village (additional information pertaining to residents and staff have been communicated internally):

VISITOR INFORMATION (as of 3/13/20):

• ILLNESS AND TRAVEL SCREENING: To protect our most vulnerable community members against illnesses, we have implemented illness and travel screening of all visitors and staff effective Thursday, March 12, 2020 and until further notice.
• MAIN ENTRANCE CHECK POINT:   Pennswood has established a Check Point located on the main driveway for all visitors coming onto our campus.  It is used to screen all visitors coming to Pennswood for their potential exposure to COVID-19.  All staff, residents and visitors will be stopped upon entering campus at the Check Point over the weekend of 3/14/20, including those with passes on their dashboard. Staff and all visitors will be screened, including those visitors in resident cars.
• CAMPUS VISITING HOURS:   Effective March 12, 2020, the campus visiting hours are as follows:
  • Monday – Friday, 9AM-7PM
  • Saturday, 9AM-7PM
  • Sunday, 10AM-6PM
• INDEPENDENT LIVING VISITORS:  Independent Living residents may still have visitors in their apartments. Those visitors may not enter the common spaces (Community Building, Café, Dining Rooms). Visitors that are screened at the Check Point over the weekend will have a visitor badge.

• BARCLAY & WOOLMAN VISITING:  Currently, Barclay and Woolman are closed to visitors, including visitors who are Independent Living residents.  *Exceptions are as follows: Visitors who are a family member of a resident who is actively dying, family member of a hospice resident, private duty caregiver or hospice volunteer (*All exceptions are subject to screening).  We are preparing alternative means of communication for residents who would otherwise visit, such as virtual communication. Independent residents of Pennswood Village and volunteers working with the hospice program will be screened at the Woolman entrance and the Barclay entrance like any other visitor, and they will have limited access to one resident room only. 

• BARCLAY DINING ROOM:  Barclay Dining Room is considered a Health Care Dining Room and is closed to visitors until further notice. Barclay residents may eat in the area of their choosing with the exception of the Woolman Dining Room. Woolman residents are encouraged to eat only in Woolman.

• GUESTS – No overnight guests will be permitted until further notice.

• GUEST ROOMS – All guest rooms are closed until further notice.

• LARGE GROUP GATHERINGS:  Pennswood is currently curtailing all events on campus for any large groups.

• GROUP EVENTS:   All group events will be postponed until further notice. This is not an exhaustive list:
  • Interdenominational Worship Services/Quaker Meeting
  • Movies in Community Spaces
  • Chorus Rehearsals
  • Evening Performances
  • Fitness Center Classes
  • Community Meetings/Fireside Chats
  • Birthday Night
  • Committee Meetings
  • BCCC Classes
• LOCKED DOORS:  The outside door by the Barclay Meeting Room off the front circle will now be locked 24/7. The outside door into Passmore by the locker rooms and the doors into Fitness from the courtyard will now be locked 24/7.

• MEMORIAL SERVICES – There will be no memorial services held on campus until further notice.

• CHURCH SERVICE INFORMATION & SUGGESTIONS:
  The Interdenominational Worship Service has provided a message for those who would appreciate a reflection. This can be found on the shelf in front of the message boxes.
  Other resources are:
  • Christian World Media – Click on:  www.christianworldmedia.com to connect with various churches online.
  • Langhorne Presbyterian Church – www.langhornepres.org, click on worship, then click on sermons.
  • Catholic Mass is aired every Sunday on ABC channel 6 at 5:30am.
  • Verizon Religious television channels:
  Channel 516- Catholic mass
  Channel 568HD- Catholic mass
  Channel 68- Catholic mass
  Channel 288- Hillsong channel
  Channel 292- The Word channel
  Channel 295- TBN- Trinity Broadcasting Network
  • We also recommend visiting the website of your personal church to see if they offer online church services.

• FITNESS CENTER – All group workouts/classes held within the Fitness Center are cancelled. Staff are asked not to use the Fitness Center until further notice.

• TOURS- Tours in Health Services areas have been suspended until further notice. 

• PETS – Pets should remain in their owner’s apartment, but they are permitted outdoors for leashed walks. Resident and visitor pets may not enter common spaces such as the Community Building, and currently no visitor pets are approved to be on campus.

• VILLAGE SALON – The Village Salon is open to Residents and Staff only. 

ADDITIONAL PRECAUTIONS (for Residents, Visitors & Staff):

• All community members including residents, visitors and staff—please do NOT come to the Community Building or visit with other residents if:
  • You are not feeling well—especially if you have a fever, a cough or are experiencing difficulty breathing or have shortness of breath. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should call their healthcare professional and Resident Health.
  • You have been in close contact with anyone known to have COVID-19 or if you have recently traveled to an area experiencing a Coronavirus outbreak.
  • You or anyone in your household, within the last 14 days, were on a cruise ship that had known COVID-19.
  • Please refrain from inviting family members to join you for lunch or dinner.
  • For your own protection and the protection of your loved ones, now is the time to limit face-to-face visits and practice your connections through phone calls, emails, and texts.
• Again, stay home when you are sick and call your healthcare provider. 

PRECAUTIONS REMAIN THE SAME:

• • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  • If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Stay home when you are sick. Consult your healthcare provider about your symptoms. 

The health, wellness and safety of our community is our top priority.  Furthermore, communication regarding our efforts to address the coronavirus is also critical during this time. However, we ask for your patience and understanding that this is a fluid situation, changing daily if not hourly, and updated information will shared as it becomes available.