Frequently asked questions about Concordia senior living retirement community.

Q: Can family and friends outside of Concordia Life Plan Community visit?

No, unfortunately not during this period of self-quarantine. The exception is for paid caregivers providing medically necessary services. Please make sure your family members know they are not allowed on the property except to drop items off at the front door. Family members and friends are not allowed to visit you while you are on a walk or through your window or balcony. These types of visits pose a risk to everyone at Concordia.

Q: Can I go to my doctor or dentist?

Only for urgent medical concerns if approved by our Medical Director. Please notify us as far in advance as possible for upcoming appointments. Concordia Life Plan Community will provide transportation to and from the appointment in these urgent situations. Call the valet staff to schedule transportation (405-417-1332). Residents going out for appointments need to wear a mask the entire time they are out and will need to quarantine in their apartment for the next 14 days after the appointment and a Concordia staff member will check temperature daily during this time frame.

Q: What about going to the pharmacy?

Pharmacy deliveries are being received at the front entrance by appropriate medical personnel and delivered to individuals by staff. If you need a prescription picked up, please call our valet staff (405-417-1332) and we will pick it up for you and deliver it to your apartment. When we deliver it, we will have disinfected the bag and provide you a disinfectant wipe for you to sanitize the medication bottle.

Q: What about the delivery of US Mail and Newspapers?

Concordia is receiving all mail and newspaper deliveries disinfecting/sanitizing them and delivering them to the appropriate residence in order to safeguard you from leaving your apartment.

Q: What about other deliveries?

All package deliveries including FedEx, UPS, Amazon are being received at the main entrance and will be disinfected/sanitized before being delivered by Concordia personnel directly to your residence. My son or daughter stops by weekly to help me manage my medications. Can he/she still do this? No. During this period of self-quarantine only essential Concordia staff paid caregivers providing medically necessary services will be allowed access to the campus. If you have health related questions or concerns, contact the front desk at 405-720-7200 or concordiacares@concordiaseniorliving.com. Labeled, pre-filled medication boxes can be delivered to the main entrance and will be handled by the appropriate medical personnel, and will be delivered to the appropriate recipient.

Q: Can I leave and return to campus in general (visiting friends/family, going out to eat, attending
church, going for a drive etc.)?

No, unfortunately not. Some suggestions for social contact: FaceTime/Skype/Zoom. We understand these are challenging times and we ask you not to leave-even to go for a drive in your car. You need to limit your exposure to help reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus. See attached article about the importance of social distancing and the importance of not interacting with other people at this time. By leaving your residence or the community you are putting your own health and the health of the entire Concordia Life Plan Community at risk! If a resident ignores our request and decides to leave the community Concordia will ask them not to return for 2 months and may decide to terminate their residency agreement.

Q: Can I “hang out” in the common areas around campus – even if it is just me?

Unfortunately, no. The essential reason for self-quarantine is to help mitigate risk of spreading COVID19 and that includes staying away from common spaces around campus. Residents should only leave their apartments if they are going out for a walk or for an approved medical appointment.

Q: Can I check out a book from the Concordia Library?

The library on campus is closed. If you would like a book, please contact the Concierge and we will make every effort to have one delivered to your room.

Q: Can I stay with or visit friends/family?

You may, but you will NOT be able to return to Concordia Life Plan Community until the self quarantine policy is lifted. If you choose to stay away from Concordia, plan on being gone for at least 2 months. Please notify the Concierge before you leave and provide your e-mail address and a cell phone number so we can stay in contact with you while you are away. We will communicate with you if this time frame can be shortened.

Q: How long will all of this last?

We do not know at this point. It will be in place for the foreseeable future. Please know these limitations are implemented to help keep you safe & healthy and are in accordance with CDC, CMS and other local and federal government guidelines.

Q: Can I take walks outside?

Yes! We encourage you to do so. You may only walk the roads and walking paths of the campus. You are encouraged to practice social distancing – so 6 feet away from other walkers, do not congregate. Please do not use this as an opportunity to meet up outside with visitors (or family, friends, etc.). Please leave the community via the nearest exit and return using the main entrance. When re-entering the community, please stay 6 ft. away from the other people entering the community. First floor residents may leave and return through their patio doors. If you go out for a walk, you are required to wear a mask the entire time you are out of your apartment.

Q: Can I walk the halls of Concordia Life Plan Community for exercise?

No. Walking in the halls is not within our self-quarantine procedures. We need to limit the amount of exposure to all and exercise walking in halls will increase the risk of spreading COVID-19.

Q: How do I get groceries/sundries?

You may not go to the grocery store and shop for groceries. Lifestyles and Dining has put in place a system to help you with any necessities you may need. Please contact the valet for items needed (405-417-1332). Also, you may have family members/friends deliver your groceries to the main entrance and we will disinfect them and deliver them to your residence.

Q: Can my family or friends stay with me or visit with me outside?

No, unfortunately not at this time. Please remind your family members that visitors are not allowed on our property unless they are dropping items off. Friends and family members are not allowed to visit you outside while you are on a walk or at your window or balcony. Visitors create too much of a risk to everyone at Concordia.

Q: What do I do about trash?

Please place your trash outside your door daily between the hours of 7:00-9:00 A.M. and housekeeping will come by and pick it up. If you have items to recycle, please bag them separately as we still have a regular recycling pick up.

Q: Can I walk my dog?

Yes, you may walk your dog outside. You are encouraged to practice social distancing – so 6 feet away from other walkers, do not congregate. Wear your mask the entire time you are out of your apartment. In this case, for first floor residents please leave outside your patio door.

Q: My pet is sick. Can I take them to the vet?

No. However, you’re encouraged to ask an outside family member or friend to take your pet to the vet. If a problem arises, let the Concierge know and we will do all we can to help.

Q: I’m enjoying the meal delivery by Dining Services. Can I customize my order?

Due to the volume of meals being delivered three times a day, meal order customization is not available. However, Dining Services offers vegetarian and gluten-sensitive meals. Let us know if that is something you would like to request 405-720-7200.

Q: When are meals delivered?

Dining services strives to have the breakfast delivery made between 7:00 – 9:00 a.m., lunch between 11:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. and the dinner meal will be delivered between 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. As a reminder we are offering 3 meals a day and are not charging for meals above your normal meal plan. However, if you don’t need 3 meals a day, don’t feel obligated to order all 3 meals.

Q: What should I do if I think I am getting sick?

If you have symptoms of a respiratory illness (cough, fever, shortness of breath), immediately contact the Concierge by phone for guidance. Concordia staff will assist you with next steps.

Q: What is Concordia Life Plan Community doing about vendors and construction workers?

Concordia Life Plan Community has put a halt on all construction projects and are only limiting vendor entrance to those that fall under the ‘medically necessary’ category. These individuals are put through our screening process at the front entrance and are given facemasks to wear.

Q: My accountant would like to meet with me about my taxes, is that possible?

Meeting in person (on campus, outside or off campus), is not allowed at this time. However, conference calling, FaceTime, or a Zoom meeting can take place. If you need help delivering tax documents, please call the Concierge for assistance. The IRS has extended the filing deadline to July 15, 2020.

Q: What should I do in the event of a tornado warning?

Please watch the weather closely as this is the time of year when we may have tornado outbreaks. If there is a tornado warning in our area, please follow the protocols outlined in our handbook and take shelter in the Fitness Center. If you must take shelter, wear a mask the entire time you are out of your apartment.

Q: How is the Concordia Life Plan Community staff holding up?

Our staff has showcased their continued commitment to our residents during this time. The employees continue to do their best to provide ongoing exceptional service and compassionate care. All of us have two concerns: you (our Concordia residents) and our own families. While some services have been put on hold, all Concordia employees have ongoing tasks to better serve you and keep you safe and healthy.

Q: Do all these protocols also apply to Patio Home residents?

Yes, patio home residents are expected to follow all the protocols outlined in this document.

Q: Can I get Housekeeping Services?

Housekeepers are concentrating on the high touch areas and the Health Service areas at this time. If you need housekeeping, please call the concierge and we will do our best to provide a limited service. We are working on a way for residents to request a vacuum.

Q: I am having a difficult time with this isolation, what resources are available to me?

Concordia staff will continue to call our residents each day M-F and are happy to check on you and visit with you. If you would like to talk to someone else, we are working on some resources of professionals that can help you deal with this difficult situation. We will share detailed information about that in the next few days.

Q: When do I need to wear a mask and what mask do I wear?

If you leave your apartment for an approved reason (approved reasons are limited to taking a walk outside and going to an approved medically necessary appointment). In this case, wear the medical type mask that you were issued.

If a staff member enters your apartment. In this case you can wear the homemade mask that you were issued or any other material to cover your nose and mouth. Your nose and mouth must be covered the entire time a staff member is present in your apartment.

Q: Are staff members required to wear a mask?

Yes, all Concordia staff members have been issued a medical type mask and are required by CMS to wear them the entire time they are in the building. This also applies to anyone that is allowed to enter Concordia.

Q: Can I come to the Concierge desk for help or to drop off items?

No, there is no reason for a resident to physically go to the Concierge desk. If you need help from the Concierge, please call them. If you have a package to pick up, please call the Concierge and leave the item outside your door and someone will pick it up.

Q: What happens if I need to call 911?

We recently received information from EMSA, the Fire Department and the OKC police that if they respond to a 911 call, they will not enter our building. Concordia staff are expected to take residents outside the community to meet the first responders or to take the resident to the nearest exit to meet the first responders. If you call 911, please notify the Concierge so we can assist you outside before the first responders arrive.

Q: What will Concordia do if a resident tests positive for COVID-19?

We continue to take strict precautions and pray that we don’t find ourselves in this situation. However, we understand that we need to be prepared. Our strategy team has been and continues to plan for this scenario. Our state is working on potential options but right now we are unsure of what those plans will be. At this time, if a resident tests positive and is not able to receive care in the hospital or another location, we are making plans for isolation areas at Concordia to help protect our staff and residents.

Q: Is Concordia admitting new residents?

At this time, Concordia is not admitting new residents into any of our levels of care as a precaution to help protect our community. If a Concordia resident does have to go out to the hospital, we are required by CMS to make sure they get a COVID-19 test prior to returning or upon their return to Concordia.

Q: What can I do to help?

• Please say a daily prayer for Concordia, our residents, staff, families, our city, state, country and world.
• Stay in your apartment and follow the guidelines that we set forth even if you don’t like or agree with them.
• Wear your mask if you leave your apartment for an approved reason.
• Cover your mouth and nose if a staff member or other approved person has to enter your apartment.
• Wash your hands frequently.
• Call your neighbors to visit with and check on them.
• Make a monetary donation to Concordia to help offset our additional expenses related to the pandemic.
• Take care of yourself.
  • Don’t watch the news all day long. It is healthy to take a break from the non-stop COVID-19 coverage.
  • Take advantage of the services and activities that we are offering and provide us feedback with your ideas for how we can help you during this difficult time.
  • Take up a new hobby-we can help you order resources and supplies if needed.
  • Read a book.
  • Do some spring cleaning.
  • Exercise in your apartment.
  • Write notes/letters to your family and neighbors.
  • Count your blessings-as difficult as this is, we still have a lot to be thankful for!

Thank you for your cooperation during this time. We appreciate your patience and efforts! Please understand our practices are subject to change based on new information we receive from government and public health officials.