April 15, 2020
Dear A.G. Rhodes Families,
During these unprecedented times, we have made concerted efforts to communicate as transparently and frequently as possible with our families and others in the community. We are emailing, texting and updating our website regularly, including the numbers of confirmed COVID-19 cases in our homes. This information is also reported as required to organizations such as the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH), the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH), and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
Despite the tireless efforts of our dedicated staff, we—like so many other long-term care communities—have cases of COVID-19. It’s impossible for us to trace exactly how this virus spreads, but we have implemented every feasible measure to stop its spread, and we are constantly updating our processes as additional measures are identified that will help us better safeguard residents and staff.
We know that this is incredibly stressful and worrisome for you as a family member, and you have many concerns and questions about your loved one’s risk of contracting COVID-19 based on potential exposure to someone who tests positive. We’ve received many questions asking for specific details about who has tested positive and who they’ve come in contact with. These are understandable questions, but to protect the privacy of residents and staff, and in accordance with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations, we cannot disclose the names of individuals who test positive, or other details that would identify them.
Given the highly infectious nature of this virus, we must operate on the assumption that every resident and staff member could have potentially been exposed to COVID-19. This is why we have such stringent measures in place including employee screening, and multiple temperature checks and assessments on each resident every day, among other measures. You can read more about our measures, as well as additional answers to some questions you may have, in our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) that we post on our website and update regularly. Click here to read the latest FAQs, and continue following our website at www.agrhodes.org/coronavirus for the latest information.
These are very challenging times, but we will get through this. For more than 115 years, A.G. Rhodes has operated with a family-like approach to care, and we are caring for your loved ones as if they were our own parents. Every decision we make—albeit sometimes very difficult—is made in the best interest and with the best intentions for the safety and wellbeing of those we serve. Our staff are devoted, courageous and compassionate, and we are doing everything in our power to keep your loved ones safe.
Thank you for your support,
Kristie Davis, Administrator, A.G. Rhodes Atlanta
Melanie Haders, Administrator, A.G. Rhodes Cobb
Greg Heath, Administrator, A.G. Rhodes Wesley Woods
