Attention Care Team Members

Bluegrass Consulting Group centers remain vigilant to living our Mission that creates a magical culture through the hearts of our Care Team Members. Each Bluegrass Consulting Group center prioritizes the health, safety, and well-being of all residents, Care Team members and family members within our community. This pandemic has seen unprecedented challenges for the healthcare industry, our nation, and our world. In particular, those challenges presented to Post-Acute Care, with all the changes in regulations, knowledge, and directives, the organization has sought to be in full compliance and a leader in the healthcare industry. The recent federal vaccine mandate is the most recent example of how we are asking our organization to rise to the challenge and lead the way. Through much communication, engagement, and research, we are announcing that all Bluegrass centers will embrace the requirement of the COVID-19 vaccine to keep our residents, Care Team members, and family members safe.

Effective October 1^st, 2021 – all new hires will be required to be vaccinated.

Effective November 1^st, 2021 – all Care Team Members and contracted employees will be required to be vaccinated.

The safety, security, and health of our residents and Care Team members is our number one concern, especially during this pandemic. We are assured that this requirement will provide the best approach to quality care for our communities and those residents we have the privilege to serve. We will continue to monitor updates and governmental direction regarding the mandate and will reserve the right to change this policy, if needed, to comply with all federal mandates. If you have questions or believe you qualify for a Medical or Religious exemption, you are encouraged to speak to your Human Resource Representative or Executive Director. All exemption requests will need to be submitted no later than October 15, 2021.  

We continue to remain in this fight against COVID-19 together and our gratitude for all the support, hard work and commitment that is shown daily is overwhelming. You are what makes the Bluegrass difference.

Sincerely,

Bernard McGuinness, CEO

Bluegrass Consulting Group

Our Response to COVID-19

To Our Residents and Family Members:

We know some of you may be concerned about the spread of COVID-19 (the new coronavirus) being reported in the media and how it may impact us here at the center.

Our top priority is keeping our residents and Care Team Members safe and we feel these measures are needed to ensure their safety. We understand that connecting with family members is incredibly important and there are a variety of other ways you might consider connecting with them. These may include telephone, email, text or through Skype or Facebook. Our Care Team Members are happy to help facilitate these alternative methods.

Our center is following the recommendations of the CDC on prevention steps, including following strict hand-washing procedures, and in many circumstances, wearing gowns and gloves when interacting with residents who are sick. We also are staying up-to-date with the CDC recommendations as they are updated. In addition, the center is in close contact with the local and state health department and are following their guidance.

We will notify you if any residents or Care Team Members are diagnosed with COVID-19. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Executive Director.

Highlands Defense Program

Ensuring residents are cared for in a safe and healthy environment is our greatest responsibility. 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗯𝘆 𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆-𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴-𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀. As part of the “Highlands Defense” program, we follow a scientific approach using rigorous measures and our industry’s best products. We closely monitor recommendations from The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Our extensive efforts include:

Weekly COVID-19 Testing: All Care Team Members are tested at a minimum of every week.

Sign-In Kiosks and Temperature Monitoring: We utilize a digital system to screen guests and Care Team Members for symptoms of acute respiratory illness (e.g., fever, cough, difficulty breathing) before entering our community.

Personal Protective Equipment: Care Team Members and residents have access to masks (surgical, N95), gloves, gowns, face shields, and hand sanitizer. Care Team Members are required to wear a mask at all times.

Recycled Air Ionizer: Air Ionizers are installed directly into air ducts, producing positive and negative ions that neutralize harmful pollutants and odors in our buildings.

Plexiglass at Check-in and Nurses Stations: Plexiglass Shields at reception and nurses stations provide a physical barrier to reduce exposure and cross-contamination.

Electrostatic Sprayers: Sprayers provide a uniform and wraparound layer of germ-killing power, providing maximum efficiency disinfecting surfaces.

Deep-Clean Sanitization: Sanitizing lowers the number of germs on surfaces or objects to a safe level.

Daily Communications with Families: Our automated system keeps families and loved ones informed on COVID19 cases.

Thank you Care Team Members for all your hard work!

Mr. Haycraft came to Highlands Nursing and Rehabilitation after hospitalization for shortness of air/hypoxia due to pleural effusion and trauma with several rib fractures. At the time of admission, Mr. Haycraft was dependent on oxygen, experienced generalized weakness and could only ambulate 15 feet. With the assistance of physical therapy and Mr. Haycraft’s motivation and determination, he is now able to complete all tasks and mobility without oxygen use and ambulates throughout the facility!

Mitzi came to us due to a stroke and hemiplegia resulting in deficits in all areas. With the help of therapy and her strong work ethic and motivation, she has made big gains in her recovery. She has progressed through different adaptive equipment to be able to ambulate with a straight cane with contact guard assist, transfer with stand by assist, undergoing stair training and is now completing dressing and toileting tasks with supervision/setup. With therapy, Mitzi is still working to improve to her maximum potential and plans to return home.

Congrats, Mitzi on all that you have accomplished!

Michael came to us in October due to having a stroke and right leg fracture. Michael was non-weight bearing, hemiparesis with abnormal muscle tone, generalized weakness, and aphasia. With these deficits, he was total assist in all areas. Through the help of the therapy team he is now able to feed himself, has no abnormal tone and full use of hands, able to sit up in a wheelchair for most of the day, and his speech and memory are clear. Michael continues to be on physical therapy as he recently was cleared by ortho to be weight bearing as tolerated to which treatment has focused on standing, balance, transfers, and proprioception of leg.