Dear Residents and Families of Birch Bay Retirement Village,

I hope you all are having a nice week. We currently have no cases of COVID-19 among our staff and residents. We are now three weeks out from our second vaccination clinic. COVID-19 vaccines are an important tool to help stop the pandemic. However, even after vaccination, everyone at Birch Bay will continue following all the current guidance to protect themselves and others, including wearing a mask, staying at least 6 feet away from others, and following our community guidance on visitation, travel and infection control.

I am pleased to report that Hancock County is still considered in the State of Maine/DHHS’ updated “low” category of new positive cases to percent positivity rate. Last month. we were able to relax some restrictions for all Birch Bay residents. This month, with continued low percentage of positivity, we are now allowed to relax even more restrictions, particularly for our more independent residents in the Apartments. You will find two separate Visitation Policies have been created based on the guidelines the State of Maine has given separately for Residential Care (Pleasant Cove/Safe Harbor) and Assisted Living (Apartments). Please note that this guidance is subject to change.

The ability to offer indoor visitation continues. We can now offer increased visitation to Safe Harbor and Pleasant Cove. Our Apartment residents’ visits both on and off campus may be unsupervised. Although our residents have been vaccinated, it is still important that all residents follow guidelines of social distancing, masking and handwashing both on and off campus. Families and residents are encouraged to read our updated Visitation Guidelines for the neighborhood where they or their loved ones resides for complete policies and procedures regarding visits. Please contact James Hoke, our Director of Programming and Resident Engagement if you have any questions about visitation: jhoke@birchbayvillage.us

A full list of our BBRV Campus Safeguards is attached to this email. Our new guidelines are effective March 4, 2021 and a few of the highlights include:

  • The Barber and Beauty Salon is closed for renovation and selection of new stylist.
  • Family pets may visit in accordance with our Visitation Guidelines
  • Medical masks are now required for all staff and visitors inside the Birch Bay Inn
  • Transportation to Hannaford will resume
  • Apartment residents only may leave campus for appointments/services supervised by staff, independently, or with family/friends abiding by all pandemic precautions

 

As we mark one calendar year since the pandemic began, I want to thank each of you for your continued support and understanding. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have.

 

Sincerely,

Peter Sullivan, MBA, RN-BC, LRCA, CDP, Executive Director, Birch Bay Retirement Village