2023

I know we all want to put COVID behind us but unfortunately, Copley does not have that luxury, particularly as variants of the virus continue to emerge. We are home to a vulnerable population, and it is our job and responsibility to keep them safe above all else. That means adhering to our infection control protocols for as long as COVID remains in our community. Despite our efforts, we’ve had an uptick in cases over the last several weeks. The most likely way for one of our residents to catch COVID is from a visitor who is unknowingly positive and symptom-free. The protocols we’ve put in place may seem overly protective, but they are based on CDC guidelines and recommendations from health professionals. We want to do everything in our power to reduce the spread and ask that everyone take responsibility for keeping our residents healthy.

Here’s what Copley continues to do to reduce the risk of spread:

We continue regular testing of all staff – at least weekly and more in some cases.
If someone tests positive for COVID, that person leaves the building immediately and must wait five days, be symptom- free and have a negative test before returning to work.
Staff who are not feeling well are encouraged to test and/or stay home.
Hand sanitizers are now installed in every resident’s room, and staff sanitize when entering and leaving to further reduce the risk.
Mask use is mandatory for all staff.
If a resident tests positive, we put extra protocols in place to protect our staff for their own health and to reduce the risk of spread to other residents.

And here is what we ask of you:

Please do not visit if you are feeling unwell.
Test before coming to visit. If that test comes back positive, please stay away for at least five days. If you are symptom-free and test negative, you can visit.
Wear a mask whenever visiting Copley including inside the room of your loved one. Mask use is mandatory for all staff and strongly encouraged for visitors(but optional for residents).
Use hand sanitizer when entering and leaving the building, and again when you’re entering and leaving your loved one’s room.

As frustrating as it is, we must all continue to do our part to keep everyone at Copley safe for the sake of our loved ones. That means very simple things such as wearing a mask and washing our hands. Those two actions alone will greatly reduce the risk of COVID.

Thank you for your continued help and vigilance.

-Steve Tyer

The New Year is always a time for reflection and renewal. In these post-COVID days, a new year takes on an entirely new meaning.

When I say “post-COVID,” there is something hopeful in that statement. We aren’t all the way there yet. Copley at Stoughton’s holiday season inched towards normal, but we still needed to take precautions and limit large group activities with visitors. Sadly, COVID and other viruses kept us from having true holiday gatherings. But infection control is – and has to be – Priority #1 for the health and safety of our residents and staff.

But you know what? I don’t want to dwell too much on what might have been. Because if you ask our residents, I bet they’ll tell you we had a wonderful holiday season at Copley. Throughout December, we had many gatherings within the facility. We had performances by some of their favorite entertainers (socially distanced, of course), and our New Year’s Eve party was outstanding. The PUB was in full operation, and residents were treated to a wide variety of appetizers and beverages.

This is the perfect opportunity to shout out to Chef Jenn, our new Director of Food Services, who is taking over the reins from Marcia Bennet, who recently retired. She not only puts on an excellent spread for our parties but keeps our residents healthy and happy with her expertly prepared nutritious and delicious meals.

As usual, the entire Copley team deserves a pat on the back. They have adjusted remarkably to our “new normal,” and everything they do is with our residents’ best interests at heart. I may seem like a broken record by constantly repeating my gratitude for this great group of people here at Copley, but they deserve it for the amount they go above and
beyond every day.

I’m not big for New Year’s resolutions, but I believe in hopes and dreams. My hope for 2023 is that we return to hosting large gatherings at Copley with family and loved ones. I am confident that no matter what the future brings, I know that the staff and management will do everything to ensure our residents have the best care, including social events, to keep them active, happy, and engaged.

All my best for a happy and healthy 2023.

Steve Tyer

And the Battle Continues…

Time for Reflection

Archives for 2023