Champions in Action
The arrival of an FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccine brought joy and hope to the residents, their families and associates at Villa Manor Care Center. With a focus on inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation with 24-hour skilled nursing care, the facility has been serving the care needs of the Lakewood, Colorado community since 1971.
“We share a trust with the community we serve,” said Sara Dent, executive director. “Offering the vaccine to our associates and residents is an important, visible step to restore any concerns the community may have about us. It’s been a difficult year, and I think everyone in the skilled nursing industry is thankful that a vaccine is available and being administered.”
Dent emphasized that the availability of a vaccine is not the end of the fight against COVID-19, which has attacked the most vulnerable members of society across the country since early 2020. It is an important step in the right direction, though. Villa Manor Care Center will maintain its stringent safety measures and will continue to follow all guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and state and local public health agencies.
Our goal is to provide a high level of service in a safe environment that brings peace of mind for our residents and patients, along with their families. The virus tested us, but we came out stronger on the other side.
Sara Dent, executive director at Villa Manor Care Center
Champions Fight.
In May 2020, COVID-19 came to Villa Manor Care Center for the first time. Like health care workers in skilled nursing facilities across the country, associates at Villa Manor found themselves fighting a lethal virus no government or health care system was prepared for.
The loss of life and the pain associated with losing residents was immense. Fear of the unknown shook everyone’s confidence. However, the residents and associates at Villa Manor were shaken, but not defeated. They were determined to overcome every challenge and heartache brought on by COVID-19.
“I know that this experience has forever changed me in so many ways that I am sure are yet to come to the surface. Even through the heartbreak and loss, the bad days and even worse days, I am thankful for every one of my friends and co-workers that still fight daily. I know that I would never change choosing this amazing and fulfilling career. I know that this is where I was meant to be. If I could change the things that happened, I would. But if I had to, I would do it all over again because I love them all dearly.”
Julia James, certified nursing assistant at Villa Manor Care Center
Champions Rise.
Like so many communities around the country, Villa Manor Care Center and the Lakewood community have faced unprecedented challenges as a result of COVID-19. Through the COVID-19 pandemic, the associates and residents at Villa Manor have experienced triumph, tragedy and sorrow. But even in the darkest times, they stayed focused on protecting each other. As a result, they have come out stronger. Villa Manor is a family. The facility’s commitment to the safety of its residents and associates has never been higher, and the facility’s associates continue to fight daily for the health, well-being and peace of mind of the residents in their care.
I will never forget the courage and strength I saw from staff in our buildings during this time – the countless hours that staff worked to take care of all their residents, making sure they were cared for and felt loved. I want the world to know that these staff members are heroes. They truly are champions of care!
Cristal Collier, regional director of business development
That vigilance includes:
An increased focus on infection control and safety are part of the lessons learned by the skilled nursing industry due to battling COVID-19. As a result, Villa Manor Care Center is being vigilant to invest in new technology and implement strengthened safety measures in our facilities. That vigilance includes:
- Providing every patient with a routine clinical assessment.
- Doing PCR testing on associates and residents for routine surveillance testing and following state health care guidelines to utilize “Point of Care” testing equipment from the federal government in situations where it is needed to test symptomatic associates and residents.
- An ongoing surveillance testing program that continues for staff, per state requirement.
- Ongoing communication with family members.
- Maintaining strict adherence to CDC, CMS and state health department infection control protocols.
- Utilizing a UV SafeZone decontamination device, state-of-the-art technology which uses ultraviolet light to help kill viruses and bacteria.
- Continuously updating training for associates based on regulations and first-hand experience in controlling the virus.
Champions Rise.