IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF April 9, 2020

Dear Cedar Sinai Park Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,

While we were celebrating the holiday last night, a story appeared on OregonLive, the on-line property of The Oregonian, that examined the spread of coronavirus through senior care homes across the state. It contains INACCURATE information regarding Robison Jewish Home.

Please know that no Cedar Sinai Park resident has been diagnosed with COVID-19 to date and only one member of our staff has tested positive to date. That person has been in quarantine since the onset of symptoms, recuperating at home and has now been cleared to return to work. Our staff is working diligently to keep it that way.

We know our status can change from one moment to the next. Our staff continue to be vigilant in monitoring all residents, staff and essential professionals for signs and symptoms.

I want to assure you that we will continue to communicate with you in the most clear, complete, timely, and ACCURATE manner.

With love, honor, and respect,

Kimberly Fuson

Chief Executive Officer

IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF April 7, 2020

Dear Cedar Sinai Park Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,

As the eve of the Virtual Pesach of 5780 draws near, we are delighted to share the COVID-19 quarantine has been lifted.

Like Moses, we must be relentless in our efforts to free ourselves of this virus (dare I say plague). We must vigilantly take good care of and protect ourselves and one another by continuing to practice physical distancing and extra attention to hand washing and hygiene in our homes.

We know how hard it is to be separated. While we want to hug all of you,

we must remain mindful and careful until this virus has truly passed!

RJHC/HSCL and RSM will maintain room service dining and activity per the continued guidance of the CDC, CMS and our local authorities. There is now additional guidance regarding covering the mouths and noses of residents during care encounters to further mitigate risk of exposure. Through your Gemilut Hasadim, we are gathering enough cloth masks for our beloved residents.

We are humbled by the selfless generosity of our families, friends and community, by the limitless courage and devotion of our staff and by the wisdom, humor, and resilience of our residents.

“Together forever, never apart, sometimes in distance but never in heart.”

Chag Pesach Sameach,

Kimberly Fuson

Chief Executive Officer

IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF April 2, 2020

Dear Cedar Sinai Park Residents, Clients, Families and Colleagues,

It is such a privilege to be counted as a member of our CSP family; the devotion and dedication of our staff to one another and our residents, clients and patients through this challenging time is an inspiration!

While this can be a scary time, please know the leadership team is working day and night to assure we have what we need to keep our staff, residents, clients and patients’ hearts, minds, souls and bodies safe.

Since our last communication March 26, we are pleased to share the Norovirus quarantine has been lifted. One virus conquered, one to go.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Clean surfaces around you.
• Get a good night’s rest.
• Exercise routinely.
• Eat healthy.
• Know you’re loved!

Kimberly Fuson

Chief Executive Officer

IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF MARCH 26, 2020

TO:       All Cedar Sinai Park Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends

FROM: Kimberly Fuson, Chief Executive Officer

RE:       Positive Case of COVID-19

Dear Colleagues, Residents, Families, and Friends,

Today, a case of COVID-19, the illness resulting from the novel coronavirus, has been diagnosed in an employee of our community.

The staff member is in quarantine at home. We have notified public health officials as required and are following procedures recommended by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. We are taking every step as recommended by authorities to contain the spread. We want to make residents, their families, and our dedicated staff aware of this situation and reassure everyone that we are on top of it.

Developments are changing day by day, minute by minute. Our focus remains on the health and well-being of our community. We must also recognize our team for the concern and commitment they have shown to our residents during this challenging time. Our mission has never been more meaningful.

We ask that our residents and staff do all that they can to support our community by following the recommendations set forth by the CDC:

• Social Distancing/staying home if possible – at least six (6) feet away from others
• Washing Hands for 20 seconds with soap and water
• Avoid touching your face
• Self-isolating if showing any signs or symptoms of COVID-19
• Seek medical assistance as necessary

We want to assure you that we have educated our staff on infection control processes and procedures to keep our residents and employees safe and will continue to take the necessary precautions.  We ask that you do the same.

Thank you all for your support. We will provide updates regularly. If you have any questions, please let me know.

With love, honor and respect,

Kimberly Fuson

Chief Executive Officer

IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF MARCH 25, 2020

Since our communication on March 17, we are pleased to share there is no known COVID-19 at Cedar Sinai Park and that the gastrointestinal outbreak at RJHC/HSCL is resolving at a rapid pace. We continue to work diligently to keep our residents, patients, participants, clients and staff safe, in good spirits, and virus-free.

I am very proud and humbled by the great heart and dedication of our staff. We are working to assure their health and welfare as we navigate the unprecedented waters of this pandemic, including access to personal protective equipment (PPE) as well as hand sanitizer and antiviral cleaning supplies.

While we cannot gather in person for Pesach this year, please stay tuned for information regarding our special Seder and Easter plans 5780/2020.

A reminder that visitors continue to be restricted except for essential legal, medical, and emergency personnel and visitors to residents who are at the end of life.

We are joining hands with the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland (JFGP) to support the needs of our Jewish community during this critical time. Please consider supporting these efforts by making a donation to the COVID-19 Relief Fund. https://www.jewishportland.org/covid19relief.

Please stay in close touch; it’s our community connections that keep us strong and positive; you are each a blessing.

With love, honor, and respect,

Kimberly Fuson

Chief Executive Officer

IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF MARCH 17, 2020

Since our communication on March 14, 2020, we are pleased to share there is noCOVID-19 at Cedar Sinai Park.

This afternoon the Oregon Department of Human Services increased restrictions on visitation policies for all assisted living communities, nursing homes, residential care facilities, adult foster homes and group homes for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to further prevent the spread of COVID-19.

DHS is taking this action in consultation with the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) at the request of Governor Brown. OHA and DHS have determined that, given the increase in COVID-19 cases, these additional restrictions are essential to protect those at greater risk of the most severe outcomes of this disease.

The updated restrictions limit all visitors except essential medical and emergency personnel and visitors to residents who are in the end of life.

We know these restrictions are hard on the hearts and souls of us as a community, but are essential to mitigate the spread of disease.  We will continue to nurture the social, spiritual and emotional needs of our residents via special room service programs and assistance in connecting with family and friends via technology.

For more information about what’s happening in Oregon: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/ORDHS/bulletins/281a5b5

With love, honor, and respect,

Kimberly Fuson

Chief Executive Officer

IMPORTANT INFORMATION AS OF MARCH 14, 2020

President Trump has declared a national emergency as a result of COVID-19. This development triggers heightened infection control practices and protocols as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Please know that maintaining the health, wellness, and safety of our residents and staff is our number one priority.

Once the County Health Department lifts the current gastrointestinal quarantine at RJHC/HSCL, we will continue to restrict visitation as required by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for COVID-19. Effective immediately, RSM is joining RJHC/HSCL in restricting visitation. Based on federal guidance, no visitors will be permitted into our community except for essential medical personnel and certain compassionate care situations, such as a family member’s end-of-life.

 Per CMS recommendation HSCL and RSM will join RJHC, in implementing the following additional safeguards:

• All meals will be served in the privacy of resident rooms.

(Note: Working quickly with this new information, we began this during today’s lunch hour and while there were a few bumps, we now have what promises to be a smooth system in place).

• Communal/Group activities are suspended.

Please know that the news about the spread of this new disease is concerning for us all. In addition to restricting visitation to prevent the illness on our campus, we are also focused on infection control best practices with our staff and residents. Staff have been trained on the symptoms of the coronavirus (COVID-19), CDC recommended infection prevention techniques, and have clear protocols for staff to stay home and not come to work if they are ill or symptomatic.

Additional Impacts from the National Emergency Declaration

• Three-Day Stay Waiver

The President announced during his press conference declaring a national emergency, that he was suspending the Medicare’s three-day stay requirement before a SNF admission. We have not yet seen anything in writing about this from CMS and will forward to you when we receive any more information.

• CMS Releases MAC-by-MAC Medicare Part B COVID-19 Test Billing Rates

• MDS Completion and Submission Waivers

CMS is waiving 42 CFR 483.20 to provide relief to SNFs on the timeframe requirements for Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessments and transmissions. CMS has not yet issued technical guidance on how to implement.

• SNF Part A 100-Day Benefit Waiver

For “certain beneficiaries who recently exhausted their SNF benefits, the waiver authorizes renewed SNF coverage without first having to start a new benefit period.” CMS has not yet issued technical guidance on how to implement.

• House Relief Package

Separately, the House of Representatives passed a relief package late yesterday. It still must be passed in the Senate, but it includes a temporary 6.2% FMAP increase to state Medicaid programs, paid sick leave for employers with 500 employees or less, tax credits, and funding for certain tests. We will continue to monitor this legislation and keep you posted about possible implementation.

We continue to monitor information and guidance from CMS, CDC, and the Oregon Health Authority, and are working with state and local public health and emergency preparedness officials to prevent the illness and strengthen our preparation for and response to outbreak.

For additional information, please visit the CDC’s coronavirus disease information page at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/ or the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) at https://www.cms.gov/About-CMS/Agency-Information/Emergency/EPRO/Current-Emergencies/Current-Emergencies-page.

We will keep you updated.

With love, honor, and respect,

Kimberly Fuson

Chief Executive Officer