August 26, 2021
After so many months battling the pandemic, we’re all ready to get our lives back to normal, especially within our Marquis senior care facilities. The Delta variant is causing us all to pause on this pathway to normalcy and refocus on a few key areas. Marquis continues to lead the nation in vaccination rates of staff at over 80%, and we are so thankful to our employees for their continued focus and dedication toward protecting our residents from COVID-19.
First and foremost, we want to assure our residents, employees and their families that we have been closely monitoring the situation with the COVID-19 variants. We are seeing rising COVID-19 cases in the general community again and within some of our facilities, likely due to the Delta variant, which accounts for close to 80% of all positive tests and is rising nationally.
In this ongoing fight to protect our residents, we need everyone, and especially their loved ones and visitors, to do all you can to ensure all COVID-19 measures are in place.
The most effective action you can take if you plan on visiting a family member or friend within a senior care facility, is to be vaccinated, wear a mask and maintain social distancing. This is critically important not only during visitations (which is required), but also when out in public.
Facts that we do know about the Delta Variant:
- Vaccines and masking remain the best protection.
- Vaccinated individuals may still test positive and CAN transmit the virus. Therefore masking continues to be essential.
- Vaccines ARE safe and effective, as vaccinated individuals rarely develop serious symptoms or require hospitalization if infected.
- Unvaccinated individuals are at HIGH risk for significant illness/hospitalization from the virus.
- The Delta variant has 3-4 times more viral load than traditional COVID-19.
- The Delta variant is greater than 50% more transmissible, even among asymptomatic vaccinated individuals.
How we are protecting our residents and staff:
- Our facilities have diligently followed – and will continue to follow – CDC guidelines to ensure the safety of our staff and residents. All facility staff are screened daily before their shifts and are wearing medical-grade face masks. In counties of moderate or higher positivity, they are also wearing eye protection while at work.
- We continue to advocate and provide vaccinations for all our employees and residents. Marquis’ average staff vaccination rate is greater than 80%, and is 90% for our residents.
- For any staff member that is not vaccinated, they are routinely tested for COVID-19, per federal and state guidelines.
- Indoor visitation is allowed UNLESS there is a positive COVID-19 employee or resident within the facility. General indoor visitation is suspended (except for compassionate care) if there are positive cases, and can resume once the facility has gone through a testing cycle without an additional positive test. Outdoor visits are always allowed.
- To help control the spread of the Delta variant to our facilities, we are asking all visitors to be diligent with masking and social distancing at all times when visiting, even if you are vaccinated. Additionally, please be aware of travel and social gathering activities that may be within the 14-day period prior to a facility visitation.
Thank you for your continued trust and support as we fight this pandemic together. We don’t know how long COVID-19 will be with us, or what the long-term consequences will be, but one thing is certain: the Marquis family will do whatever it takes to be there for you. We are your champions, and we take all needed measures to keep you and your loved ones safe.
January 29, 2021
Watch the video below for a message from Marquis Companies, CEO & President, Phil Fogg, about our hopeful road to recovery.
December 24, 2020
Terri Fagan, Director of Clinical Services with Consonus Pharmacy, shares her pharmacist’s outlook on the first week of COVID-19 vaccine clinics. Watch the video below to learn more about what she’s seeing from the staff and residents who took the vaccine, and why she’s feeling hopeful for the future on this road to recovery.
December 9, 2020
For Marquis residents, families and staff, vaccines offer the best hope to reunite with loved ones and get back on the road to recovery. In the first video below, Dr. Kathryn Kolonic, our Chief Medical Officer, discusses vaccine safety and why she’ll be taking it without hesitation. In the second video, April Diaz, Vice President of Clinical Services, explains vaccination consent forms, and why they must be returned as soon as possible.
Indoor visitation is currently suspended for all Oregon facilities per Governor Brown’s order, effective November 18, 2020.
Before visiting your loved one at one of our Marquis facilities, please review our updated visitation policies below.
Outdoor SafeLink Visitation Policy
September 11, 2020
While today’s update is not about COVID-19, we’re using this space to share a message with family members in the State of Oregon to provide a brief update on the fires in Oregon and Marquis’ response to keep staff and residents safe. Watch the video below for a message from Marquis Companies’ CEO, Phil Fogg.
August 26, 2020
How to Prepare for a Potential Coronavirus Outbreak in Your Home
Are you and your family ready for an outbreak of COVID-19 or other winter illness? Now is the time to develop a plan for yourself and your loved ones.
Why Should You Prepare for COVID-19?
Here are six reasons why you should prepare your home for a coronavirus outbreak:
- Slow the spread: Having products on hand means sick people won’t have to leave the house to get supplies. This prevents further spread of the virus and allows patients to convalesce without undue exertion.
- Ease the burden: No one wants to worry about running out of food or necessary supplies while they’re sick or caring for an ailing loved one. Keeping sufficient supplies on hand means less stress.
- Stay nourished: Nourishing and healthy foods are imperative to the recovery process. NutritionCare.org offers a variety of very helpful resources regarding nutrition best practices, including the proper amount of calories to consume, foods to have on hand, and more. They also provide this helpful list of nutrition facts for COVID-19 patients.
- Keep clean: Disinfectants, soap, and other cleaning supplies prevent the spread of germs within the home and help loved ones avoid infecting each other. Not only is it important to have these products on hand, it’s important to know how and when to use them. The Centers for Disease Control provide the most up-to-date information and best practices.
- Medication needs: Prescriptions are important for keeping chronic conditions under control, and over-the-counter cold and fever meds can help with COVID-19 symptoms. Make sure to have a 14-day supply of both.
- Talk about it: Conversations should include the whole family, so everyone knows what to do if someone becomes ill. It’ll be easier for the sick person to isolate if the family has already discussed what that looks like.
Ready to have the conversation? We invite you to visit our In the News page. Here you can read our latest blog, 4 Questions Seniors Have About COVID-19 Quarantining.
To help our seniors and families prepare for potentially falling ill from the coronavirus, we’ve created a preparedness checklist to have on hand as well as when and how to use them. Print it out and reference it when you’re shopping or ordering online. It’s never too early to prepare.
August 13, 2020
An updated message to our residents and their families from Marquis Companies, CEO & President, Phil Fogg.
One of the most difficult and painful challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic has been the necessary physical separation of our residents from their families and friends. That’s why we’re so excited to introduce SafeLink, a plexiglass panel that will allow safe face-to-face visits while minimizing the continuing risk of exposure to the virus. This innovative approach is possible through a waiver, we’ve received by working closely with state authorities.
*Please note that the COVID-19 situation is extremely fluid, and regulations are constantly changing. At any time, the state could issue an Executive Order to temporarily pause or even eliminate SafeLink visits. Currently, SafeLink is only available at certain Oregon locations, but we are working to bring this to all of our locations.
May 15, 2020
How we are protecting your loved one: Current transportation & visitation policies at Marquis Companies
With states opening some restrictions to the general public, the risk to our residents and your loved ones may once again increase. The health, care, and safety of our residents, staff, and families is our top priority. We continue to operate under federal and state regulations and will be adhering to all protocols and best practices for preventing the spread of COVID-19.
Read Current Transportation and Visitation Policies
May 7, 2020
Recent news stories have painted an unsettling picture of the impact COVID-19 has had in some of America’s nursing homes. This video offers a behind-the-scenes look at the high level of care and service residents are receiving in Marquis’ senior care facilities, and the many ways they’re being protected.
April 24, 2020
An updated message to our residents and their families from Marquis Companies, CEO & President, Phil Fogg.
April 21, 2020
Here’s to the Heroes
Day after day, night after night, you walk through the doors of senior care campuses across the nation, ready for service.
Only one word does you justice: Heroes
April 7, 2020
#HealthcareHeroes
To support #HealthcareHeroes, follow these steps:
1. Download your free #HealthcareHeroes printable.
2. Find a place to proudly display the You Are Vital poster or sticker
3. Take a picture of yourself with it and post to social media
April 2, 2020
The positivity campaign is a four-part “Feel Good” campaign to support senior healthcare residents and staff as we all work together as a company, and more broadly as a world-wide community to uplift each other during these challenging times. View the document to learn how you can get involved!
March 26, 2020
An updated message to our residents and families from Marquis Companies, CEO & President, Phil Fogg, and Chief Medical Officer, Kathryn Kolonic, M.D.
March 20, 2020
As we all take this journey together through the COVID-19 pandemic, many of you have asked what you can do to help support and raise the spirits of our facility staff, residents, and patients. We’d like to take a moment to share with you some tangible ways you can do exactly that.
Watch our video from Marquis Companies & Consonus Healthcare CEO, Phil Fogg, to learn of two ways you can help!
What you can do!
Operation #SendSeniorsLove
- Make a card, write a letter, or draw a picture for our seniors.
- Deliver/mail your creation to a Marquis Companies facility.
- For MAIL: send your art to your local Marquis Companies facility
- For DROP-OFF: each facility has a designated #SendSeniorsLove drop box located outside the facility’s front door. Place your card inside the box, remembering to keep your art in their paper bags.
- Share videos and pictures of your family making their masterpieces! Either post on Facebook and tag us with #SendSeniorsLove, or email pictures and videos to virtuallyvital@marquiscompanies.com and we’ll share them for you!
Virtually Vital
While you’re hunkering down and playing it safe in the fight against COVID-19, you can connect virtually with the seniors and staff who are doing the same inside Marquis facilities. Simply take out your phone and make a video for them. Then go to the Virtually Vital Facebook Group, and post it. Our facility staff will then help residents view and share it.
Not sure about posting to the group? Email them to VirtuallyVital@marquiscompanies.com and we’ll post them for you!
Here are some video ideas for children and families to send to our seniors:
- Do a dance
- Sing a song
- Read a poem
- Tell a joke
- Share a good deed you’ve done.
- Tell us how you’re helping around the house
- Send words of encouragement
- Show us how you’re staying safe and strong
March 19, 2020
Marquis’ Communication Strategies for Our Residents & Families During COVID-19
Senior communities all over the world have been impacted by Coronavirus, with the most vulnerable population being reported as aged 65 years or older, with underlying health conditions. The virus acts differently among elderly patients, especially those with compromised immune systems.
While the unique circumstances of COVID-19 are unprecedented, the Marquis family is ready and able to safely navigate our residents through these uncertain times. As we address the various challenges and dangers associated with caring for our high-risk community, we want you to know that your loved one’s safety is our number one priority. We treat every person under our care like we would our own family members.
How Our Senior Communities & Assisted Living Facilities are Caring for Your Loved Ones
Our first priority is to keep the COVID-19 virus from entering our communities. Our company embraces the recommendations of the:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),
- American Medical Association (AMA)
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
These resources offer up-to-date information so that you can perform daily due diligence to prevent exposure to the virus.
If there is exposure here, we are prepared to swiftly address it. If the COVID-19 virus is identified at one of our facilities, we will take every available action to contain the virus and limit the spread of infection to other residents and staff.
5 ways we’re supporting senior residents and family members.
1. Communication strategies. Responsible parties should have received a text alert with a link to a new website page about COVID-19 and the Marquis team’s response strategy. We are committed to keeping you updated, and can promise, that if the worst case scenario happens, you will hear it from us first. If your family member is the one being tested, you will be personally notified prior to a text alert.
2. In-person visits. A mandate from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services now restricts all visitors and non-essential personnel from entering our campuses and communities. We recognize how frustrating and painful this mandate is for our families, but it is designed to protect our residents from this extremely serious virus.
3. Virtual visits. Even though you may not be able to see your loved ones in person, we are making sure that our families are able to interact with virtual visits. We are facilitating alternate communication with your loved one in every way possible.
For example, if you prefer to use FaceTime, we will provide your family member with an iPhone or iPad to help you connect. If you prefer to use the Android platform, we will set up a tablet with Zoom. Connection during this time is vital, and we will do everything in our power to make sure you stay in touch.
4. Staying connected. It’s very important that you keep your contact information up to date, so that we can reach you with any news or information that you might need. Our text alert system is a wonderful tool, but it depends on the accuracy of the contact information that you provide.
Please reach out to your facility administrator to update your information. This search tool will allow you to find contact information for each Marquis facility.
5. Dedicated to being of service. Our team members have risen to the challenges with inspiring levels of courage, compassion, and service. Our staff chose careers in the field of senior care because they love to give of themselves, and to rise in moments of uncertainty in order to make a difference. Your loved one is in good hands with our team, and we hope this brings you a measure of peace and calm during these difficult times.
Our roots in the community run deep.
We recognize that you chose Marquis to care for the most important people in your life because of our record of exceptional, compassionate care. Our roots run deep in our communities, and in the profession as a whole. For over 30 years, our family-owned company has been an industry leader in elder care.
Although we are dealing with a global situation that is unprecedented, Marquis Companies has the leadership and resources to respond swiftly to the threat and provide the top-tier care your loved ones deserve.
We don’t know how long this pandemic will last, or what the long term consequences will be, but one thing is certain: the Marquis family will do whatever it takes to be there for you. We are your champions and we take all needed measures to keep your loved ones safe.
March 19, 2020
FAQs from Residents and Families from Marquis Companies
March 16, 2020
A message to our residents and families from Marquis Companies, CEO & President, Phil Fogg.
For any questions regarding COVID-19, please reach out to us at COVID-19Questions@marquiscompanies.com
For any media related inquiries, please reach out to us at media@marquiscompanies.com
March 14, 2020
Updated Regulations for Skilled Nursing and Assisted Living Facilities
On Friday evening Centers of Medicare and Medicaid, in coordination with the CDC issued updated regulations for Skilled Nursing facilities, also applicable to Assisted Living facilities. These regulations went into effect immediately, we appreciate all of your patience as we have had to implement these restrictions/changes rapidly.
We realize these drastic visitation restrictions may prevent family and friends from physicallyseeinga loved one. And, we know that can be difficult; however, our residents’health and safety is our top concern.Our entire organization is dedicated to doing everything we can to protect our residents and staff.
Effective per guidance on 3/13/2020:
- No Visitors – Unless for compassionate, active end of life or essential Medical Professional. If access is allowed, then visitor/non-Marquis Medical Professional, must be screened, including taking of your temperature and wearing of a Mask.
- All outside the facility activities and group activities in the facility must be cancelled. Are teams are highly focused on ensuring individual socialization needs are met and can be coordinated with you via Zoom technology, phone calls.
- All dining rooms are now closed, we are focused on room tray deliveries and are deploying ancillary staff to assist with this.
- All employees are being screened, as they have been since the beginning of March. Additionally employee temperatures are being required before starting work.
- All residents are on daily monitoring, for any sign of illness. We are also in the Flu season, so are monitoring of any respiratory illness.
- STRONGLY discouraging any outside trips for individual residents, as any community exposure places your loved one at risk to themselves and other seniors in the facility.
We have been and will continue to take preventative measures and are focused on preventing this virus from entering other facilities. We are strictly adhering to theCenters for Disease Control (CDC), Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services, Oregon Health Authority, Department of Human Services and The Agency for Healthcare Administrationprotocols and best practices for preventing the spread of the COVID-19. The health, care and safety of our residents, staff and families remains our top priority.
We treasure your creative ideas and thoughts regarding engaging with residents in our facilities!
We are creating a safe haven from the outside community for your loved one, but are open and looking for creative solutions to continue community engagement from the outside.
We welcome E-Cards which we can print from within the facility to hand out to residents, as one idea from a recent family member.
March 11, 2020
ReasonWe areLimiting Individuals from Enteringour Building
The current COVID-19 outbreak situation means that it is critical that we take every precaution possible. We must prevent this virus from entering our facilties. Protecting our residents’ health and safety is our top priority.
The CDC has done a careful review of thedeath rate in the elderly, especially those with dementia or chronic diseases. Experts are recommending we take action to limit individuals from entering our building and to ensure sick employees stay home.
Early data shows that:
- The mortality rate for people over 80 in the general population is 15% inChina.
- The World Health Organization report estimates the mortality rate is 21.9% for those over 80.
- At thenursing home in Washingtonstate,therehave been 50residentswhohavetested positive for theCOVID-19virus. As of March 9, 2020, 19 of those have died.This is a highdeathrate.
There is a risk that people who appear healthy will enter nursing homes and infect residents. Studies of past viral epidemics where recommending prevention was delayed were not effective. These studies show that the sooner we limit interactions with each other and wash our hands frequently, the virus spreads more slowly.
These facts have led many to recommend severe limitations on visitors. This describes why we have taken this action now.
Visitors will be limited to*:
- Residents at the end of life
- No children under the age of 12
- Residents whose health is dependent on the visitation
- Medically necessary visits by a health care professional
*Allowed visitors will be screened and may be required to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
We hope this explains to you why weare asking people to limit their visits. This may prevent you from physicallyseeingyourfamilymember or friend.Our residents’health and safety are our top concern.We are committed to doing everything we can to protect them.
Please feel free to contact the Marquis facility with any questions, and make sure we have your latest contact information. Thank you for supporting these efforts.
March 6, 2020
Per the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued guidance to health care facilities (nursing homes/assisted living), we are screening and monitoring all visitors at this time.
We value the safety and welfare of the Seniors we care for and appreciate your understanding related to the potential need to restrict visitors, who may pose some risk for our patients.
It is your right to not complete the screening; if you choose to not be screened, you will be restricted from visitation at the facility.
At this time, our visitation hours are restricted from 9am – 7pm.
March 3, 2020
We are closely monitoring the evolving coronavirus (COVID-19) situation and have been taking preventative measures at all of our facilities. The health, care, and safety of our residents, staff, and families is our top priority.
While there are currently no cases of COVID-19 identified in any of our facilities, our entire organization is dedicated to taking preventive measures. In addition, we are in close contact and actively monitoring information from the Centers for Disease Control, Oregon Health Authority, Department of Human Services and The Agency for Healthcare Administration.
We are strictly adhering to all protocols and best practices for preventing the spread of COVID-19. It is spread from person-to-person through droplets in the air, which is very similar to how influenza spreads, and we are highly trained in strategies known to reduce the spread of respiratory viruses.
We are asking that any visitor who is experiencing “cold-like” symptoms, or illness avoid visitations at facilities, to protect our residents and staff. Your support of this is greatly appreciated.
Our entire organization is dedicated to following health and safety protocols while caring for our residents and employees.