Group Activities - COVID-19
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      1. KBH Knowledge Center
      2. COVID-19
      3. Group Activities - COVID-19

      Group Activities General Information Overview

      Group Activities

       

      Overview and General Information

       

      The social isolation created through the coronavirus pandemic affects residents in many ways. Without open visitation with their family members or significant others the residents rely on facility staff and virtual visits to maintain contact with those outside the facility. Social distancing requirements impact the social lives of residents within the facility as they no longer can sit closely together to visit among peers or join in familiar group programming.

       

      Creative solutions to ensure that residents continue to pursue recreational interests and participate in activity programming to meet their psycho-social needs are to be identified and implemented by the facility regardless of facility risk status or the presence of COVID-19 cases present.

       

      Core Principles of COVID-19 Infection Prevention guidelines are to be followed during Activity Programming and include social/physical distancing of six feet, resident use of facial coverings when out of their room, frequent hand hygiene performance, appropriate use of personal protective equipment and understanding isolation precautions with placement for residents COVID-19 positive, observation area for residents on quarantine and residents not known to be infected with COVID-19.

       

      Definition: “§483.24(c) “Activities” refer to any endeavor, other than routine ADLs, in which a resident participates that is intended to enhance her/his sense of well-being and to promote or enhance physical, cognitive, and emotional health. These include, but are not limited to, activities that promote self-esteem, pleasure, comfort, education, creativity, success, and independence.”1  

       

      Competencies which may be associated with Activities include but are not limited to:

      • Health Center Infection Prevention and Control policies, procedures, and reporting
      • Health Center COVID-19 policies and practices
      • Access to adequate PPE supplies for staff and cloth facial coverings for residents
      • Availability of adequate hand hygiene materials in activities areas
      • Supplies to provide individual activity programming for residents in their room
      • Specific location(s) to conduct small group activities and recreational programming for asymptomatic residents while a safe 6-foot safe distance is maintained

       

      Staff Competencies associated with Activities include but are not limited to:

       

      Activities Professional and Activities Staff:

      • A qualified Activities professional to lead and implement facility Activities Program
      • Knowledge of facility infection prevention and control and COVID-19 policies and procedures
      • Understanding of individual resident preferences for leisure and recreational programming
      • Creativity in development and implementation of current and new activity programming
      • Ability to provide programming following the Core Principles of COVID-19 Infection Prevention and Control
      • Provide dedicated supplies for in-room programming, with directions for non-activity staff use
      • Knowledge of proper cleaning and disinfection of activity equipment and environment as necessary
      • Maintains written record of updated programming and documents resident response in the resident Medical Record

       

      Infection Preventionist:

      • Ability to collaborate with and advise Activity staff with program development following infection prevention and control guidelines and COVID-19 program
      • Maintains working knowledge of COVID- 19 and recommendations of CMS, CDC, and state and local infection control professionals
      • Monitors in-facility COVID-19 cases and mitigation activities and reports to other departments daily and as needed

       

      All Staff:

      • Understanding of the need to assist residents to pursue independent and small group activities based on the resident’s COVID-19 status and symptoms
      • Ability to assist residents with individual activity programming when the resident needs to remain in their room
      • Assist residents with hand hygiene and facial coverings as needed prior to small groups
      • Can properly complete cleaning and disinfection of activity areas prior to, following programming, and frequently

       

      References and Resources: