FOX2 News

SAN RAFAEL, Calif. – Newly released data in Marin County shows how vaccinations are having an impact at long-term care centers.

Health officials say the number of virus cases has dropped significantly after the residents and staff received their second vaccinations.

“The vaccine works and it saves lives. Those are the two headlines I see here,” said county health officer Dr. Lisa Santora.

At The Redwoods, a skilled residential care facility in Mill Valley, almost all of the residents who live there — about 150 people — have received their second dose.

Statistics show that COVID cases in skilled nursing and residential care facilities dropped by more than 10-fold between January and February, down to only four active cases with no outbreaks.

“After that second dose was received by staff and residents we saw a major drop-off in the number of cases experienced that these facilities by the end of January,” said Santora.

The Redwoods was among the first facilities in Marin County to administer vaccinations. And health officials said so far they are relieved by the vaccine’s success.

“The staff, I can tell you, can sleep a little better. We are breathing a sigh of relief. We can see the light at the end of the tunnel,” said the facility’s administrator Catherine Scott.

Nursing home advocates applaud the findings but said the next step must be to allow family members to visit their loved ones.

“We are advocating for families and the state to start thinking ahead about what life is going to look like as vaccination progresses,” said Mike Dark, of California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform.

“It is going to be challenging in the next couple of months to make that bridge between those who aren’t vaccinated and visiting their family members,” said Santora.

Seniors residents said they just want to be with family and friends again

“Not being able to give a hug. I was never a hugger until I realized I am a hugger,” says 88-year-old resident Bob Crockett.

Tuesday, December 15, 2020

Still no residents of The Redwoods have tested positive for COVID-19 but, according to a number of sources, the number of deaths due to the virus in the U.S. exceeded 300,000 on Monday and confirmed cases topped 16,000,000 as the nation rolled outs its first vaccine inoculations.

These are staggering numbers and Marin County is not immune as cases, hospitalizations and deaths are up here as well.  In fact, retirement communities in Marin County account for almost 500 of the cases and there were 16 residents and 51 staff members with COVID-19 yesterday.  Fortunately none of them at The Redwoods.

We recognize that this is a holiday season unlike most any of us have experienced.  The local restrictions will be in place until at least January 4^th.  They include guidance to visit in-person only with those you are living with now.  So we continue to urge you to schedule a visit through the glass, or over the internet, by contacting a Resident Coordinator or Social Worker, but please do not visit, or have visitors, in-person.

The next few weeks, as the first and second shots of the vaccines become available to residents and team members, will be critical to our joint efforts to continue to have no residents get the virus.  We appreciate your understanding and thank you for your continued support for a few more weeks.

Tuesday, November 24, 2020

Still no residents of The Redwoods have tested positive for COVID-19.  Last week we did have a significant concern when a team member did test positive.  Upon learning the news we were directed to trace that member’s movements, identify anyone who came into contact with them, test and quarantine those people.  We acted quickly to do so.

Many of the residents and family members had a series of questions and we didn’t have answers beyond what we shared.  That was not a satisfying for any of us and it is challenging when we are not in control of the decisions and we need to wait on others for direction.  We apologize for the discomfort this caused.  Nothing new has happened, but we were notified late yesterday by the Marin Department of Public Health that all of those residents need to be tested again and continue their quarantine until results come back, hopefully by the end of this week.  Those residents will be tested today and we will share any additional information as soon as possible.

This is Thanksgiving week and the virus is spiking dramatically.  There are real fears that the number of people infected in our area will continue to rise in the days ahead as more people congregate indoors.  We know many of you will want to visit with loved ones this week.  We encourage you to do so by contacting the Resident Coordinator or Social Worker to schedule a visit through the glass or over the internet.

Please do not visit in-person.  While residents have rights and can leave the property, please do not, but if you do: ask others to wear masks properly; encourage them to remind you to wear your mask as well; wash your hands frequently; try to stay 6 feet or more apart and; try to stay outdoors.  If you or they do not, you not only are risking your and their lives, but the life of everyone else who is part of this community.

We will support residents by to keeping as much open as possible and having a traditional feast here.  We recognize that not being with loved ones on Thanksgiving is hard, but we are very concerned for your health and well-being.  Please know, we will continue to try to strike the right balance between safety and engagement.

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We will also need to more strictly limit the number of people coming into The Redwoods.  Due to the tremendous increase in COVID-19 cases we will start, as soon as practical, limiting “care givers” or “aides” or “essential workers” to one per resident at a time.  We are targeting to start next week issuing color coded lanyards with badges at the Reception Desk available for approved people.  The approval will include showing proof of a negative COVID-19 test within a week, as well as screening and sign-in.

This limitation on “aides” and “essential” workers is new and we do not know how long it will last.  We will likely need some grace period on the testing, but please know we did not take this step lightly.  We hope that you will support this effort to protect the health of everyone at The Redwoods.  This is a hardship for all.  Each of us is will need to make sacrifices this holiday season in hopes of being able to celebrate future holidays together.

We also want to note that there was some good news regarding COVID-19 vaccines this week.  AstaraZeneca joined Moderna and Pfizer with updates on their efforts to create effective vaccines.  Pfizer applied to the FDA for Emergency Use Authorization of their vaccine and it could receive approval in a couple of weeks.  The others should follow shortly.  These vaccines will likely require two shots, at least one month apart.  While the administration has stated that retirement communities will not be first to receive doses, they may be available to members of our community sometime relatively early in 2021.

So there is some hope on the horizon, but our biggest challenges lay in the days more immediately ahead.  The next few months will be critical to our united success in keeping COVID-19 away.  We appreciate your support in the efforts that will be needed to do so.  Here is hoping that you are able to take some time this week to recognize those things for which you can be thankful.  Please take care and, if nothing else, wear a mask!

Wishing you the best this Thanksgiving and every day!

November 19, 2020

Dear Residents, Families and Team Members,

We are still pleased to announce that no residents of The Redwoods have been COVID-19 positive. As cases spike in the county we are sorry to report that this week we have two team members who have tested positive. Both are asymptomatic and doing well at home.  We learned this as a result of our weekly surveillance testing of staff.

The Redwoods is working closely with the Marin County Department of Public Health and the California Department of Public Health.  We receives expert advice and guidance on all COVID related procedures. We will follow their guidelines to contain this situation.

What does this mean?

• Covid-19 testing of Health Care Center and Creekside (residential) Apartments was doubled from once a week to twice a week for all residents and staff for the next three weeks. This testing is done on-site and generally takes 36 hours for results.

• Residents in the Health Care Center will isolate in their rooms for as long as Marin County Department of Public Health directs, but likely at least two weeks.

• All residents, including those in the Headlands (independent) Apartments, who may have come in contact with the team members are being identified, tested and asked to self-isolate until they receive a negative test or the County determines they are safe to engage with the rest of the community.

As always, we will operate with an abundance of caution. We have plenty of testing supplies and trained nurses, adequate personal protective equipment and a dedicated team determined to get through this pandemic as safely as possible.

In addition to the steps we are taking to protect the over 500 people on our campus, we continue to strive for the best quality of life possible.  We apologize for any inconvenience or concern this causes and will do are best to keep you informed.

Loneliness is a silent epidemic inflicting Americans at an unprecedented rate. Baby Boomers have been coined as the “loneliest generation”, aging alone more than any previous generation in U.S. history. According to the latest census, one in every eleven Americans fifty years or older lacks a spouse, partner, or living child. This amounts to eight million people in the U.S. living without companionship or a close kin–a number that is only growing. Loneliness looks different for everyone; some people prefer to be alone whereas others feel insecure in their lone-time; being alone and feeling lonely do not go hand-in-hand. Many seniors live alone but do not have symptoms of loneliness. At the same time, those who are constantly surrounded by friends and family may feel consumed by underlying feelings of loneliness.

Spending more time alone is a natural effect of aging. Retirement shrivels social networks and eliminates a significant amount of social interaction; hearing loss and worsening mobility alter social patterns and activities. These natural occurrences of aging leave us vulnerable to the implications that come with it. Research has overwhelmingly linked social isolation/loneliness to deteriorating mental health, most notably depression and anxiety. While the implications of loneliness on mental health are more readily observable, the consequences on physical health are just as, if not more, alarming. Loneliness has been linked to a long list of health conditions: high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, a weakened immune system, anxiety, depression, cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s disease, and even early mortality. Research has found loneliness to be worse for longevity than obesity or physical inactivity. Loneliness alters the standard processes of immune cells to promote inflammation, which is vital for our body’s injury recovery. Those suffering from loneliness experience excess inflammation, which increases the risk of diseases by making it harder to fight off viruses. Furthermore, elderly with smaller social networks were found to be less likely to take their medications.

Staying active in any way can help combat/prevent feelings of loneliness. Some examples are spending more time outdoors, starting an exercise routine, enrolling in group classes, or participating in community activities. Being active stimulates your brain by releasing hormones that make you feel more positive and youthful. Volunteering is one of the most recommended solutions to loneliness. Doing service work provides the chance for social interaction, the opportunity to expand networks, and instills a sense of purpose. The feelings of satisfaction and purpose that come with volunteering have positive effects on health. People who engage in meaningful, productive activities with others live longer, have better overall moods, stronger cognitive function, and are confident in their sense of purpose.

While finding yourself alone more often is a natural part of aging, the health implications of loneliness should not be taken lightly. In order to gain a stronger sense of purpose and belonging, one should consider finding a new hobby, getting active, and/or volunteering in their community. No one should ever feel alone about their feelings of loneliness. Social circles naturally becomes smaller as we grow into old age, but this does not mean the possibility for new experiences and new connections is eliminated.

The Redwoods is certainly special – with an incredible sense of place and community. Still, even when folks have been ready and wanting to make the move, when it comes down to it, it is a big transition and moving is never easy, although sometimes we are lucky and blessed to have a few supportive people in our lives who help make that move a little easier.

Talking with your family is important. Leaving one’s home and making a big move can be an emotional subject. A range of feelings and reactions to the prospect of moving are completely normal, and you don’t have to handle them on your own. We are happy to help you connect with all kinds of resources to help you navigate the journey, addressing your questions and helping to facilitate a process that we are honored to be part of.

Make the Most of Your Community Tour. One of the most important steps you can do before making the decision to move is to attend an in-person tour at several communities. We hope you’ll enjoy our tour, not only for what you learn about our particular community, but because we also understand the importance of asking the right questions. A tour at The Redwoods often helps prospective residents and their families prioritize what is most important to them in senior living.

A few “quick tips” we’re glad to share with you here include:

1. Get a ‘feel’ for the environment. In finding a place where you will feel at home, what does that mean? What is the environment like? Getting a feel for the community in person is essential.
2. Meet the people who work there. At the end of a call or tour, guests sometimes ask, “What am I not asking?” And very often, they have not asked about the staff. How long as the average employee worked at the community? What kind of relationship do staff have with residents? The people who work at a community are an important part of the decision-making process. Meeting them gives you a chance to see what it might be like to interact with staff on a day-to-day basis after moving in.
3. Taste the Food! Food is central to daily life. We invite you come for a visit and taste the food. Look at the menu options and have a meal if you can. Find out if the Dining Services of a given community accommodates special dietary needs, if there’s flexibility in meal times, and if the dining room has any formality guidelines.
4. Meet Other Residents. To the extent that you are able to connect with other residents, do so! This is a valuable way to hear multiple perspectives on what day-to-day living at the community is like. These are the folks who will be your new neighbors! Are they friendly and welcoming? You’re more likely to have a clear understanding of that if you come for a visit and meet other residents.
5. Ask more questions. There are so many questions when it comes to senior living, from nutrition and fitness, to nursing services and long term care options. Touring in person will naturally trigger additional questions and help you learn more about the community that will potentially serve you or your loved one for many happy years.

We have all heard the line: “Laughter is the best medicine”, but for most people this means no more than a blissful saying. Humor is a strong communication tool that allows people to express themselves, relieve tension, and facilitate relationship-building. Laughter provides a sense of comfort; learning to laugh during dark times helps us gain perspective and realize that things may not be as bad as they seem. Laughter grants people permission to relax and smile during tough times, such as after a loss of a loved one or during times of sickness. Laughter can also be used as a coping mechanism, letting people diffuse heavy emotions such as anger and sadness. While laughter puts us in good spirits and lightens the mood, more research must be done on laughter’s biological impact on health.

Laughter as a healing mechanism has only recently come into examination, and already the research has been astonishing. Laughter decreases anxiety, restrains aggression, and lightens depression. Similar to exercise, laughter increases the body’s heart and respiratory rates, increasing oxygen consumption and decreasing blood pressure. Research has also found that laughter increases the immune system’s ability to defend itself against viruses and foreign agents. Laughter alleviates stress, decreasing the risk of stress-related illnesses and preventing overactivation of fight or flight hormones. Overactivation of fight or flight hormones contributes to numerous health complications, most significantly hypertension and certain nervous system disorders. In addition to relieving emotional stress, laughter helps break up tension within the body as a result of past sympathetic nervous system overactivity. According to Alexander Lowen, the founder of bioenergetic psychotherapy, laughter produces convulsive reactions that mitigate muscular tension within the body. In practice, bioenergetic therapists try to stimulate anger, laughter, or tears to heal the body by releasing energy and endorphins. The more vigorous the laugh, the more tension released and endorphins pumped throughout the body.

Simply deciding to laugh more may be the decision that changes your mindset and health. The more we laugh, the freer and lighter we become. Laugh at the little things, share in others’ laughter, laugh at yourself, and your let laughter be contagious. When we learn to laugh and take life less seriously, humor can be a powerful healer of the mind and body. With laughter, you may find yourself healing others while healing yourself.

When people move to The Redwoods, we often say that we’re not just gaining a new resident, we’re gaining a family.  As a community-based non-profit organization we are naturally oriented toward cultivating community connections.

Still, keeping those connections strong during this pandemic has been a challenge! Within the first few weeks of the initial Shelter-in-Place orders we began setting up the internal resources to host Zoom and Facetime family visits for residents. We then set up an online scheduling system for families to book in-person visits at our designated family visiting areas. Family visits must comply with Marin County Public Health guidelines in maintaining social distancing and wearing facial coverings.

Residents can leave the campus for doctor’s appointments or other essential errands, although our leadership reminds us all to please follow Public Health Guidelines when doing so. If residents leave campus and stay the night off-campus, a 14-day Quarantine in their apartment is required upon return.

The Redwoods follows the guidance from the county, state and CDC. The course and severity of the virus is frequently changing. When there are contradictory requirements between the most current CDC, CDPH, CDSS, and MPHD orders we follow the strictest requirements.

In addition to our infection control policies and procedures, The Redwoods has emergency disaster plans. The plans include steps to take should an outbreak occur. The prevention, containment and mitigation measures we take are essential parts of The Redwoods efforts to stop the spread of the virus. Testing is one of the tools used to intervene early and reduce the spread of COVID-19.So far, no resident has tested positive for the virus. Further, all new residents goes through a 14 day quarantine period. Also all residents who leave for an overnight or more, are quarantined.

Testing does not replace or preclude other infection prevention and control interventions. These other measures include: monitoring all residents and staff for symptoms of COVID-19; testing and stringent return to work policies; universal masking by residents and team members (covering the nose and mouth) for source control; use of recommended personal protective equipment (PPE);efforts to maintain a 6 foot physical distance whenever practical; limiting gatherings to 10 persons or less; restricting in-person visits; encouraging residents to stay on campus; environmental cleaning and disinfection.