COVID-19 restrictions at nursing home eased

While visitors are still not allowed at the Imperial Manor and Parkview-Heights, residents are seeing positive changes in regard to pandemic regulations.
Administrator Eric Haider said there are still no positive COVID-19 cases in the building affecting residents or staff.
The biggest change recently is that residents are no longer required to remain in their rooms.
“They get to come out to the dining room for lunch now,” Haider said.
Regulations are still followed during meal times, including masks, gowns and gloves on staff, only 10 allowed in at a time and residents must stay six feet apart.
“I’m really happy with that change,” Haider said.
Another change involves a new employee.
“Visitors are still not allowed and the residents are getting to the point they need to get their hair done,” Haider said.
Idonna Elder has been hired as a hairdresser.
“She used to come in and do hair for residents,” Haider said. “Now she can come in as an employee and do the hair for them.”
Long-time employee Chris Greeley is also doing hair at the manor.
“She used to be a beautician so she’s also helping with hair,” Haider added.
Since Elder and Greeley are employees, the residents are getting their hair done at no cost.
All employees at the nursing home are still required to wear safety equipment, answer a symptom questionnaire and get their temperature taken before work.
Another restriction that has been lifted recently is that residents can go outside.
“They still have to stay six feet apart and have to stay on our property but they can go outside now,” Haider said.
A staff member must be present during outside visits and only two residents to outside at a time.
“This doesn’t mean family can come sit on the porches outside to talk,” Haider added. “There are still no visitors allowed.”
Roofers checked daily
With the number of out-of-town workers in the area fixing hail-damaged roofs, Haider added that precautions are being taken regarding roof workers at the nursing home.
“We check all of our roofing people before they come to work,” Haider said.
“When they are on-site we make sure they don’t have a temperature and they answer the same symptom questions as our employees,” he said.