March 23, 2022

Dear POAs, Families, Conservators,

Hope you are all staying safe and healthy.

Quick update: A COVID-19 test is no longer required for visitors who are up to date with their COVID-19 vaccine; an up-to-date vaccine status is defined as a person who has all recommended doses in their primary series, and a booster dose when eligible. When visiting your loved one, please provide proof of same. If a visitor is not up to date with their COVID-19 vaccine, they will be required to do a rapid COVID-19 test prior to entering Sunnyside Gardens; this will be at the expense of the visitor. Masking is still mandatory while at Sunnyside Gardens. If a visitor has any COVID-19 symptoms, we ask they do not come until symptoms have resolved, and are no longer in the infectious stage, as per CDC guidelines.

Please relay this information to all family and friends who will visit Sunnyside Gardens.

If you have any questions, please email them to me. Please allow me 2 business days to respond

Thank you!

Karen Mandair

Executive Director




Date: September 7th, 2020

Coronavirus Update

Dear Families, POA's & Conservators,

I hope you are all staying safe and healthy! We will be allowing scheduled outdoor visits starting September 14th, 2020.

Visiting Days & Times

  • All visits must be scheduled in advance. Please call (408) 730-4070 to schedule an appointment. We will allow a maximum of 3 scheduled visits a day.
  • Visiting hours will be from 10 am, 11 am, and 3 pm, Sunday thru Friday.

We need your cooperation in following the strict guidelines that have been put in place to ensure the safety of you and your loved ones.

Guidelines:

  • Visits will be limited to 30 minutes max.
  • All visits will take place outdoors in the garden.
  • You must wear a mask. Please ensure the mask covers your nose and mouth (please bring your own mask). Face shields are highly recommended.
  • One visitor will be allowed at a time.
  • Please ensure you maintain a minimum of 6ft of distance. Please do not hug or kiss your loved one.

Do not come:

  • If you have traveled internationally or out of state within the last 14 days.
  • If you have flu-like symptoms, chills, fever, fatigue, night sweats, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, cough, sore throat, runny nose, muscle pain, headache, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, loss of smell and taste, altered mental status.

Important Information:

  • Please make sure you take your temperature before coming (temperature must be under 99 degrees Fahrenheit).
  • Upon arrival, A Sunnyside team member will meet you at the front door. Your temperature will be taken, and you will need to complete a comprehensive screening questionnaire/waiver form.
  • You will be asked to use hand sanitizer before entering the Community. You will be escorted to the garden patio by a staff member; there will be a chair (on the X RED MARKING) for you to sit on (mask must be kept on).
  • The front desk staff will let you know when your scheduled time has ended.
  • A Sunnyside team member will assist you in exiting the Community.
  • We will disinfect the table and chairs after each scheduled visit.
  • If we develop any positive COVID-19 cases, visits will need to stop immediately. Also, your contact information may be shared with the appropriate licensing authorities at their request.

I appreciate your patience and cooperation. Our goal is to keep everyone in the Community safe. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to email me.

Respectfully,

Karen Mandair

Executive Director


Date: June 4th, 2020

Coronavirus Update

Many of the conversations we are having these days are understandably around when families/friends can visit their loved ones. We are in constant communication with Santa Clara Public Health and are following their recommendations and guidelines. At this time, there is no official date for visitation.

Currently, we do not have any positive cases of COVID-19 in the community.

We are still following the protocols below:

  • We are taking residents' temperature twice a day. All employees receive a screening questionnaire at the start of their shift, their temperatures are taken twice a day.
  • All staff must wear a mask before entering the community, a mask must be worn at all times when in the community. Masks have been provided to residents in assisted living and some residents in memory lane.
  • Vendors are delivering packages/supplies at the front entrance; community staff delivers to destinations within the building. All boxes are sprayed with disinfectant spray before being delivered to residents/departments.
  • When residents return to the community following a hospital stay, we will request negative test results for COVID-19, residents will be quarantined for 14 days, same protocol for when a resident goes to a doctor’s appointment.
  • Frequently disinfecting high-touch areas like doorknobs, light switches and faucets.
  • Reinforcing handwashing and infection control training for all employees.

We thank you for supporting your loved ones through Facetime, letters, and phone calls. Please call 408-730-4070 to schedule a Facetime call/phone call. Below are the suggested window of times for calls (this will not interfere with residents meal times):

9:30 am to 11:00 am

1:30 pm to 4:00pm

6:00 pm to 7:00 pm

I will continue to update you on key developments, please feel free to email me or call me if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you all for your understanding and support.

Respectfully,

Karen Mandair

Executive Director


Date: May 7th, 2020

Coronavirus Update 

We want to THANK YOU for your ongoing support and understanding through this unprecedented time in ALL of our lives. We are happy to report, we still do not have any positive case of the COVID- 19 in our community, this is a blessing to all of us! Although the situation still has many unknowns, we are confident that our marvelous team will continue to provide the best care possible for our residents. The shelter in place order is in effect until May 31st, 2020, I will notify you if anything changes.

We at Sunnyside Gardens appreciate the unconditional support families have offered our staff and managers, this makes a huge difference! We are doing many special things for our team members!

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to email me at ed@ssgal.com.

Thanks to all of you who are on this journey with us!


Stay Safe!

Karen Mandair

Executive Director


Date: April 26, 2020

Coronavirus Update

We are continuing to monitor and implement COVID-19 guidelines per CDC and other health agencies. Currently, we do not have any known cases of COVID-19 in the Community.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to email me at ed@ssgal.com.


Thank you,

Karen Mandair

Executive Director


Date: April 16, 2020

Coronavirus Update 

We are continuing to monitor and implement COVID-19 guidelines per CDC and other health agencies. Currently, we have no cases of COVID-19.

New protocols in effect:

  • Residents are being encouraged to stay in their rooms, face masks have been provided to residents who can wear them.
  • All employees are required to wear a face mask while they are in the building.
  • Enforcing social distancing.
  • Activity schedules have been modified; we are providing one on one activities.

The following protocols remain in effect:

  • Shelter in place directive remains in effect until further notice. We are not allowing any visitors at this time.
  • We are taking residents' temperature twice a day.
  • All employees receive a screening questionnaire at the start of their shift, their temperatures are taken twice a day.
  • Vendors are delivering packages/supplies at the front entrance; community staff delivers to destinations within the building. All boxes are sprayed with disinfectant spray before being delivered to residents/departments.
  • When residents return to the community following a hospital stay, we will request negative test results for COVID-19 or a note from their physician stating they are infection-free and don’t pose a risk to other residents; otherwise they will be subject to a 14-day quarantine or until they can be cleared by their physician.
  • All community events in which external visitors were expected have been canceled or postponed
  • Frequently disinfecting high-touch areas like doorknobs, light switches and faucets.
  • Increased cleaning of high-traffic common areas such as dining rooms, bathrooms.
  • Reinforcing handwashing and infection control training for all employees.
  • If you would like to see your loved one, FaceTime can be arranged by calling (408)730-4070.

I appreciate all your support and cooperation. If you have any questions or concern, please feel free to email me at ed@ssgal.com or call me at (408)730-4070


Thank you,

Karen Mandair

Executive Director


Date: April 5th, 2020

Coronavirus Update 

We continue to do all we can to minimize the risk of the coronavirus (COVID-19). We are following the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Santa Clara County Public Health and state recommendations in relation to visitation to Assisted Living Communities. We are writing to share more details with you regarding these changes.

  • As of right now, we have no cases of COVID-19.
  • Santa Clara Public Health Shelter in place order has been updated and extended to May 3rd, 2020 (we will notify you if it changes).
  • We are restricting visitation to essential visits only (doctors, hospice providers, nurse practitioners).
  • We are asking essential visitors to please utilize the front entrance. Essential visitors screening will include a temperature check, a screening questionnaire, and they will be required to wear a mask.
  • Staff who work at Sunnyside Gardens Assisted Living will also be screened the same way before being able to report to their department(s).

We understand that connecting with loved ones is incredibly important, and there are a variety of other ways you might consider connecting with them. These may include telephone, email, facetime, or through Facebook Messenger. Let us know how we can help facilitate communication.

Facebook Messenger

  1. Schedule a block of time by calling 408-730-4070.
  2. Go to your Facebook page, add ssgal messenger as a friend, we will accept the friend request.
  3. A staff member will send you a video call request, please accept.

Facetime 

  1. Schedule a block of time by calling 408-730-4070.
  2. Provide a phone number or Apple ID to the front desk staff.
  3. A staff member will call you during the scheduled time.
  • If a resident has to go out for an essential doctor’s appointment, upon return he/she will need to be quarantined to their room for 72 hours. We will observe for the following symptoms, fever, cough, runny nose, diarrhea, change in mental health status, difficulty breathing, chills, and fatigue.

We support these restrictions from multiple governmental and licensing agencies as they are clearly focused on minimizing the risk of exposure of coronavirus to the most vulnerable residents we serve. We also know this is a dramatic step that will require openness to change and understanding. We want to make sure you have options for communication, and we are working to support both you and your loved ones. We will continue to keep you updated.

Additional documentation from the CDC about coronavirus can be found by going to:

www.cdc.gov/coronavirus

www.sccgov.org/sites/phd/DiseaseInformation/novel-coronavirus/Pages/home.aspx

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding, we appreciate your support. If you have concerns or questions, please feel free to email/call me at 408-730-4070.

Wishing you all good health!


Thank you,

Karen Mandair

Executive Director


Date: March 26, 2020

Coronavirus Update 

We are closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation per CDC and other health agencies. I want to reassure you that at this time we have no cases of COVID-19. On March 25, 2020, we had a Public Nurse and a Licensing Program Analyst (from the state) visit Sunnyside Gardens, they support and approve all precautionary measures we have in place to keep our residents and staff safe.

The following protocols remain in effect:

Shelter in place directive remains in effect until further notice.

  • We are taking residents' temperature twice a day.
  • All employees receive a screening questionnaire at the start of their shift, their temperatures are taken twice a day.
  • Vendors are delivering packages/supplies at the front entrance; community staff delivers to destinations within the building. All boxes are sprayed with disinfectant spray before being delivered to residents/departments.
  • When residents return to the community following a hospital stay, we will request negative test results for COVID-19 or a note from their physician stating they are infection-free and don’t pose a risk to other residents; otherwise they will be subject to a 14-day quarantine or until they can be cleared by their physician.
  • All community events in which external visitors were expected have been canceled or postponed
  • Frequently disinfecting high-touch areas like doorknobs, light switches and faucets.
  • Increased cleaning of high-traffic common areas such as dining rooms, bathrooms and activity space.
  • Reinforcing handwashing and infection control training for all employees.
  • If you would like to see your loved one, FaceTime can be arranged by calling (408)730-4070.

The health and well-being of our residents and staff will always be our highest priority. We are regularly updating residents and family members. I am very receptive to any suggestions and guidance from you that would result in improved resident care. Once again, I will reiterate that we will come out of this stronger than before. In the meantime, my time and ear are open and together we will overcome this punitive illness. "

We appreciate all your support!


Sincerely,

Karen Mandair

Executive Director


Date: March 16, 2020

Coronavirus Update & Video Audio Calling

We, as a community, continue to monitor the latest coronavirus (COVID-19) updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Santa Clara Public Health. We have implemented protocols that are consistent with the CDC/Santa Clara Public Health guidelines to ensure the quality and safety of the care we provide to our residents.

For the health of our vulnerable residents, we are discouraging families/friends from visiting their loved ones.

We recognize that this can be disappointing to families/friends and residents, and we apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you or your family. The health of our residents and staff is our top priority.

If you would like to speak to your loved one, a telephone conversation/face time can be arranged starting 3/17/20. Please call the main number (408-730-4070) to make arrangements.

Together with a little bit of patience and perseverance, we will emerge from this episode as strong as ever. The continued safety and well-being of our residents will continue to always be paramount of importance.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Karen Mandair (Executive Director).


Sincerely,

Karen Mandair

Executive Director


Date: March 12, 2020

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Update

As you are probably aware there has been, and will most likely continue to be an increase in cases of the new (novel) coronavirus infections that cause the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Santa Clara County and the World Health Organization has declared it to be a pandemic. We continue to monitor the coronavirus situation closely and remain in communication with the County of Santa Clara Public Health Department, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other community partners.

Updates/Actions you should be aware of:

  • We are discouraging family/visitors/guests from coming to Sunnyside Gardens (our Community) to visit their loved ones at this time.
  • We are advising non-urgent doctor’s appoints to be rescheduled for a later date. However, if it's an appointment he/she must attend, we ask that you first check with our Resident Service Director, Diana Ngo, for our protocol.
  • As an added precaution, we will now be taking the temperature of every clinician who comes into our Community. Also, there will be a screening process. We are not allowing non-essential vendors into our Community at this time.
  • We have suspended care conferences with families and third parties until further notice.
  • Our Activity Director, Erica Ali, has been developing more on-site activities for residents to enjoy during this time, and we are increasing off-site scenic drives for residents (they will no be getting off the bus).
  • All of our Community events have been canceled at this time (Easter Brunch).
  • All of our common areas are regularly disinfected. We are also increasing weekly deep cleanings throughout our Community.
  • We encourage our employees to keep informed to stay healthy and to stay at home if they are feeling unwell.


We appreciate your support and patience during this challenging time. Our goal is to keep our residents as safe as possible. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to Karen Mandair (Executive Director) at 408-730-4070.


Sincerely,

Karen Mandair

Executive Director


Date: March 5, 2020

Postponing all Future Events

Over recent weeks, Sunnyside Gardens had been monitoring the progression of the coronavirus (COVID-19). After careful consideration, we have made the decision to postpone all public events in the Community through the months of March and April. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, but right now our foremost priority is the health and safety of our residents and team members.

Please note, we DO NOT have any cases of COVID-19 at Sunnyside Gardens, we are taking precautionary measures. We will be in touch once we are able to reschedule cancelled events.

If you have questions, please feel free to contact me at (408) 730-4070.


Sincerely,

Karen Mandair

Executive Director