As our nation, California and local communities deal with the coronavirus pandemic, the Masonic Homes of California has put into place policies and procedures to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 on our campuses. We have followed, and will continue to do so, all county, state, and national guidance set forth for privacy, patient care, employee safety, and efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19.

This disease especially impacts people who live in communal settings. The health and well-being of our residents, staff, and community is of the utmost importance to us. Therefore, we wanted to make you aware of the policies we’ve put into place during this time. Click here for a daily status update.  Please note that these policies are continually reviewed and updated as changing circumstances warrant.

Visiting Restrictions

• To reduce the risk of COVID-19 infiltrating and spreading on the Masonic Homes campuses, visits are restricted. No visitors are allowed unless they are for compassionate care reasons and only if approved by the Administrator.
• All visitors can only enter through specified entrance areas. All other areas have been locked.
• All visitors must submit to a screening process, which includes observed hand hygiene, body temperature check, a pulse oximeter check, and completing a COVID-19 exposure/symptom questionnaire.
• Please click here for more information on our visitor’s policy. Click here for an updated visitor’s policy for our Lorber Skilled Nursing facility.

Staffing Measures

• All non-essential staff have been asked to work from home
• Staff can only enter through specified and approved entry ways
• Only essential staff are allowed on campus
• On campus staff can work abbreviated hours if necessary
• Staff have access to internal solutions and governmental leave programs to make sure they are not financially burdened during this time
• Emotional wellness programs for staff are offered, free of charge, through Masonic Center for Youth and Families
• See other Clinical Preparations being made (below)

Screening of Residents and Staff

• All staff and residents are screened on a daily basis. This included checking body temperatures, pulse-oximeter checks, observing for any symptoms of COVID-19, and, for staff, attesting that they have no symptoms or known exposure to COVID-19.
• Residents who do not pass screening are placed under self-isolation protocol and are monitored on a daily basis.
• Staff who do not pass screening are asked to return home and provided with information on when they are safe to return to work.

Off-campus Trips, On-campus Events and Gatherings

• All off-campus trips and gatherings have been canceled.
• All on-campus events and gathering have been canceled.

Active Living/Recreational Activities

• Recreational activities are limited. Only activities that follow the strict social distancing guidelines are allowed.

Communal Dining

• All dining rooms have been closed. Residents receive all meals in their rooms.
• Residents are still able to select from a diverse and delicious menu.

Shelter-in-Place/Safe-at-Home

• Residents have been asked to stay in their apartments unless there is an essential reason to leave.
• Any resident who leaves campus must sign out and sign in. Upon their return, they must pass through the screening procedure.
• All non-essential medical appointments have been postponed.

Supplemental Communication

• Tri-weekly updates are given by President and CEO Gary Charland.
• A dedicated in-house channel has been established for resident communication and education.
• Frequent management memos announce policy changes and other control measures.

Social Supplementation

Sheltering at home can lead to a decrease in social interaction and lead to negative impacts on quality of life. To combat these issues, the Masonic Homes has created programs to allow resident to have social interaction. This includes:

• Opportunities to schedule staff-assisted video calls with friends and family,
• Access to books, puzzles, snacks, and other recreational equipment for in-home use,
• Additional movie channels,
• Curated televised programs to improve physical, emotional, and cognitive health,
• TGIF toasts that allow residents to open their doors and say hi to staff and neighbors,
• Socially safe bingo, and
• MCYAF friendly virtual visits for residents who would like to communicate with them.

Clinical Preparations – For Residents and Staff

• Telehealth visits are available for all appropriate essential medical appointments.
• Additional hand hygiene stations have been placed around campus.
• Isolated treatment areas that allow for proper care of residents who have contracted COVID-19 have been prepared.
• Staff have received specialized training on infection control, isolation protocol, and other topics that will allow them to provide excellent care to all residents.
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks, gowns, etc. have been purchased and will continue to be purchased to allow staff, residents, and visitors to remain safe.
• Extra staff are being recruited in anticipation of increased need for resident support.
• Staff caring for residents who have contracted COVID-19 may, should they choose to, live in isolated apartments on our campus.
• Leadership is monitoring and partnering with national, state, county, and city agencies to ensure all mandates and recommendations are being met.