While only 10% of the general public in the United States has received a first-round COVID-19 vaccine shot, an impressive 93% of the residents, caregivers and staff at Silvergate Retirement Residence, operator of three senior living communities in north county San Diego, now have successfully received both rounds of the Pfizer vaccination.
“When you’re a local operator, you can act decisively to protect your residents and employees,” said David Petree, Chief Executive Officer of AmeriCare Health & Retirement, owner of Silvergate Rancho Bernardo. “Through significant education and corporate incentives, our management team was able to convince the vast majority of our residents and staff to participate in the vaccination process. I was incredibly impressed with the rate of participation they were able to achieve. I am so glad to see our team leading the industry in this effort. By establishing a safer environment, we’re able to open up all kinds of new activities.”
Vaccinations are now offered in California to anyone over the age of 65. However, seniors often struggle to secure a vaccination appointment, find the registration process confusing and have concerns about limited supply. As a Phase I priority location, Silvergate acted swiftly to secure an adequate supply of vaccine doses and arrange for multiple on-site clinic vaccination dates at the community. Silvergate residents benefited from a turn-key vaccine solution, with registration taken care of for them and shots delivered right where they live. As a result, more than 95% have completed the second round of vaccines and are now considered immune.
Across the nation, roughly 50% of health care workers in hospitals, nursing homes and long-term care communities have elected to receive the vaccination. Understanding this, Silvergate implemented a multi-faceted information campaign across all of its communities, coupled with attractive participation incentives, to counter common misinformation and personal bias among residents and staff. Silvergate’s additional efforts resulted in more than 90% of its eligible staff being vaccinated – a rate far above the national averages.
The measures Silvergate took to achieve such a high rate of vaccination within the community included individual meetings with staff to address personal concerns, dissemination of educational materials campus-wide, additional paid time off as a reward for participating, a day-of thank you gift card to Starbucks and an “I Got My COVID-19 Vaccine” button to wear with pride.
“Our management did a great job of helping everyone understand how important it is to be vaccinated,” said Katlyn Quinn, an administrative assistant at Silvergate. “I’ve gotten to know and love the residents here. We’re like one big family, and I want them to be protected from this virus as much as I want my own family to be shielded from it. I felt it was my duty to do the right thing and get vaccinated.”
Many seniors have been reluctant to consider a move to a retirement community during the pandemic. With all Silvergate communities having delivered both rounds of vaccines at such high participation rates, now may be the ideal time for seniors to explore the protective bubble Silvergate offers. Community-wide vaccination success means fun, new events and activities can now be reintroduced safely and without delay.
About Silvergate Rancho Bernardo
Silvergate Rancho Bernardo is now scheduling virtual and private in-person tours of the community. Prime locations are currently available at the community for both one and two bedroom apartment homes. For information, call Pam Rundle or Noel Fairbairn at (858) 451-1100 General information about the independent living, assisted living and memory care accommodations at Silvergate can be found at SilvergateRR.com/RB.
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SILVERGATE RESIDENTS EXPRESS OVERWHELMING RELIEF IN RECEIVING VACCINE
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