Protecting our Residents from COVID-19

Protecting our residents from the virus has been our primary goal during the COVID-19 pandemic. While infection control protocol has always been a strong focus in our communities, Brightview has intensified our efforts to reduce the chances that our residents could contract or spread the novel coronavirus, including:

• Following infection control guidelines 
  • We have implemented all infection control guidelines for senior living as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the state and local health departments around our communities. We are in constant contact with our health departments and cooperate with contact tracing and other efforts to safeguard our residents and associates.
• Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) 
  • Brightview has made significant investments in PPE to protect our community from the spread of the virus. This investment includes items such as masks, gloves, face shields, goggles, and gowns. Associates are required to wear masks at all times while in the community
• Testing for the virus 
  • Identifying asymptomatic residents is an important component of keeping the virus at bay. Brightview is committed to baseline testing of all residents, as well as quickly testing any resident who presents with symptoms. Our relationship with a national lab has enabled us to access simple, painless testing for all residents.
• Educating associates about infection control 
  • Constant reinforcement with our associates on the importance of social distancing, wearing masks, washing hands, and other infection control protocol is a cornerstone of our efforts to protect our residents. Visual cues and signs in the community serve as reminders that associates need to take steps to protect themselves from becoming unknowing carriers of the virus, both inside and outside our community.
• Increased sanitation efforts 
  • Brightview has always been known for our focus on cleanliness in our communities. During the COVID-19 crisis, our Maintenance and Housekeeping procedures have been heightened to include frequent sanitation using EPA-approved cleaning products that are certified to kill the coronavirus, particularly on high-touch surface.
• Socialization 
  • Maintaining physical health during a pandemic is critical, but so is a focus on mental health. Brightview’s model for vibrant living continues even during this time of crisis. Activities such as themed hallway happy hours, live music in the outdoor courtyard, video chats with families, and others have continued despite the threat of the coronavirus.

Hear what residents and families are saying about our safety measures

Protecting our Associates from COVID-19

During the pandemic, we’ve taken extra steps to ensure that our associates feel safe and appreciated.

• We provide several wage protection programs so our associates don’t feel pressure to come to work when they feel ill.
• All visitors, including all associates, are screened for symptoms and potential exposure to the virus each time they enter the community.
• As with our residents, baseline testing of all associates is an important tool we have to prevent the spread of the virus in our communities. We have developed a relationship with a national lab in order to provide simple, painless testing for all of our associates.
• We’ve introduced a Nurse Triage hotline that associates can call to talk about any symptoms that they or a family member may be experiencing, so they can make an informed decision about whether they should come to work. 
• We have made use of PPE, particularly wearing masks, mandatory for all associates. Masks help to prevent asymptomatic carriers of the virus from sharing it with others.
• We have provided free meals for all associates during their work hours. Our chefs are extraordinary, so this has been a very welcome benefit!
• COVID-19 has presented unique challenges for our associates outside of the community. Some spouses have been laid off from their jobs, children are home from school, and stay at home orders have made routine errands more difficult. In addition to our free meals at work, we have created an associate food pantry at each community to provide associates with grocery basics they can take home for their families.

Brightview is a great place to work – and we have the awards to prove it!