This week there has been a lot of updated information released from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the New York Governmental offices and other organizations, regarding our continued fight against COVID-19 global pandemic.
We wanted to take an opportunity to discuss how this new information affects Mountain Valley Manor Adult Care Home’s (MVM’s) regulations and our ability to continue to effectively protect our residents and staff.
The CDC, while it is a Federal Government Organization,- is not able to set enforceable policies or regulations. All of their Covid-19 information is considered recommendations or guidance.
There is also an organizational oversight group called the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). CMS sets regulatory oversight for nursing homes only. It is a federal agency and is often considered the gold standard for nursing home regulations. However, they do not have any authority for any other level of senior care.
MVM is overseen and regulated directly by the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH). It is our understanding that they review CDC recommendations and CMS regulations while working with the NYS governor’s office and local health departments to set the regulations for assisted living homes in New York.
With the current influx of information being reported in the media, we thought that it would be helpful for you to understand how this information relates to us at MVM and your loved one’s care.
Regulations have changed frequently over the last year and often quickly. Currently regulations are loosening up and we are trying to be as responsive to these changes for our residents and their families. However, sometimes information has been conflicting across the different agencies. Just because the CDC says masks aren’t necessary in outdoor spaces with two vaccinated persons or CMS allows nursing homes to increase visitation into their facilities, it does not mean that MVM is able to as well. MVM is a licensed Adult Care Home and has a different set of regulations to follow. Additionally, there are various types of assisted living homes licensed by New York State which have more or less restrictions based upon their level of NYS assisted living licensure.
Please be aware we are working hard towards bringing back some sense of visitation normality in the very near future. We would like nothing more than to open our doors and welcome each and every one of our residents’ friends and family back inside without regard to a global pandemic. Unfortunately, we aren’t quite there yet. MVM strives to keep your loved ones safe, as healthy and as content as we can. Please continue to be patient with us as more and more visitation changes occur.
As the scientific information continues to change; and our NYS DOH regulations continue to be updated, please allow us the opportunity to review their information and formulate the best safety plans that we can in order to maintain resident health as our successful record has shown over the past year .
If you have any questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to contact us during normal business hours.
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