Important Information on Otterbein’s Response to the COVID-19 Virus

From the outset of the pandemic, Otterbein has exercised an overabundance of caution in dealing with the virus. We have followed every recommendation from the various governmental agencies and layered additional safety precautions as more information becomes available.

Currently, as just a few examples, no visitors are allowed in the campus center or apartment buildings; everyone – including caregivers – is screened upon entry; residents are isolated in units and/or rooms for all activities; any resident leaving campus for any reason is quarantined for 14 days upon return; caregivers are masked when providing care.

The resident will be further isolated from those asymptomatic, and the medical director will work to arrange a test. Caregivers will be dedicated to the same isolation unit day after day, and extra precautions will be added when contact is required.

Residents will still be sent to the hospital, as we always have – in cases where the doctor orders it and a resident’s acuity is best cared for and resolved by hospital caregivers.

Otterbein SeniorLife partners are screened at any point they enter a campus center or apartment building. The screen includes a series of questions, a respiratory test, and temperature-taking.

If the partner presents with symptoms and fails the screen, he/she is sent home, instructed to immediately contact the doctor, and is provided an Otterbein counselor to lead them through a process. In a perfect world, the partner sees the doctor and receives a diagnosis.

If the diagnosis is something other than COVID-19, the partner may return to work once symptom-free for three consecutive days without medication. If the doctor suspects COVID-19, the counselor will work to schedule a test.

If the test proves negative, the above rules apply. If the test is positive, the partners must be symptom-free and stay isolated at home for at least 5 days. They may return following a doctor’s order.

Otterbein is providing video tours of all levels of care and living options. Lifestyle counselors at each location will be able to provide custom video tours upon request. We may be able to hold some independent living tours in person, following safety guidelines.

Otterbein is utilizing every vehicle available to communicate with our residents and families. Written letters, phone calls, text messages, emails, and video updates are being provided on a daily basis to keep everyone knowledgeable about what is going on at each of our locations.

With limitations on visitors, it is important that we help our residents connect with their loved ones. Each location has a Skype account for video chats, offers FaceTime sessions via partner phones to those residents without cellphones, delivers written letters, and assists with traditional phone calls, text messages, photo sharing, and social media communication.

Partners are there to assist residents with any support they need to communicate with family in their preferred way.

Learn more about the symptoms of COVID-19 from the CDC.

Learn what to do if you suspect you have COVID-19.