It is unfortunate that the COVID-19 pandemic changed what we love most: meeting people face-to-face, spending time with families and their loved ones in need of care, driving together to tour communities, and having the one-on-one interaction we value so much.
For senior care advisors and families, personal connection has always guided the decision-making process. COVID-19 forced everyone to adapt quickly, especially when protecting seniors, one of the most vulnerable populations. While our business model of “holding your hand through the process” shifted slightly, we continued delivering high-quality service. We simply adjusted how we worked to ensure safety.
Although many counties in Washington began reopening and transitioning into Phase 2 and Phase 3 at that time, senior care facilities continued to follow strict restrictions. Leaders implemented these measures to protect residents, staff, and visiting families from exposure and outbreaks in communal living settings.
What to Expect If You Are Searching for a Senior Care Facility
For families actively searching for a senior care facility during the COVID-19 pandemic, the process looked very different than it did before. To reduce exposure risks, many Assisted Living communities and Adult Family Homes limited or eliminated in-person tours.
Some Assisted Living communities and Adult Family Homes allowed virtual tours only, using prerecorded videos, photos, or scheduled live walkthroughs. One common option was FaceTime or other video conferencing platforms, where a provider would guide families through common areas and available rooms in real time while answering questions.
Other communities allowed limited in-person tours. Typically, they permitted only one visitor at a time. These tours remained brief and carefully managed. Visitors could not interact with current residents. Facilities required strict safety measures, including:
- Signing in and out
- Using hand sanitizer upon entry and exit
- Temperature screening
- Wearing a face mask at all times
- Wearing disposable gloves
- In some cases, wearing shoe covers (usually provided by the facility)
Facilities designed these precautions to protect residents and staff while still allowing families to gather necessary information.
Let Us Do the Work for You – It Is FREE
Navigating these restrictions could be overwhelming, especially for families already under emotional stress. A1 Senior Care Advisors continued to coordinate tours, gather updated facility policies, and communicate directly with providers on your behalf, at no cost to you. Our goal was to reduce confusion and exposure while ensuring families still had access to accurate, up-to-date information.
What to Expect When Moving Into a Senior Care Facility
Moving into a senior care facility during COVID-19 required additional steps and temporary limitations to protect residents and staff.
A COVID-19 test was required before moving into any care facility. This step helped identify potential exposure before a new resident entered a shared living environment.
Upon move-in, elderly residents were required to quarantine for two weeks (14 days). During this quarantine period, no in-person visits from family members or outside individuals were allowed. While difficult, this measure was critical in reducing the risk of introducing the virus into the community.
Most senior care facilities facilitated virtual visits during quarantine using video calling platforms, allowing residents to stay connected with loved ones while remaining physically safe.
Life Inside Assisted Living During COVID-19
In Assisted Living communities, daily routines were modified to limit group exposure. Meals were typically served directly to residents’ apartments rather than in communal dining rooms. Group activities, social gatherings, and outings were temporarily suspended.
All care needs, including medication administration, wellness checks, and personal assistance, were provided within the resident’s apartment. These changes helped minimize contact while still ensuring residents received consistent care and support.
Although these adjustments reduced social interaction temporarily, staff worked to maintain emotional well-being through regular check-ins, virtual activities, and individualized engagement whenever possible.
Life Inside Adult Family Homes During COVID-19
Adult Family Homes, which generally house a maximum of six residents, operated somewhat differently due to their smaller, more controlled environment.
In many cases, meals continued to be served as usual in the dining room, and care was provided based on each resident’s individual care plan. The smaller household-style setting made it easier to monitor health closely and limit outside exposure.
Residents who did not have private bathrooms or showers continued to share these facilities with other residents, as they had prior to the pandemic, with increased cleaning and sanitation protocols in place.
Ongoing Medical and Pharmacy Services
Facilities that were set up with an in-house doctor continued this service as usual. Physicians visited their patients directly at the care facility, reducing the need for external medical appointments whenever possible.
Medication delivery from pharmacies also continued without interruption. Pharmacies worked closely with senior care communities to ensure prescriptions were delivered safely and on schedule, maintaining continuity of care during a time of uncertainty.
Our Commitment to You
We encourage you to contact A1 Senior Care Advisors for more details or personalized guidance. Our services remain at NO COST to you, and our commitment to quality, advocacy, and compassion has not changed, even in challenging times.
We continue to assist families with every senior care need, from understanding COVID-19 policies to coordinating safe placements, communicating with facilities, and helping loved ones transition smoothly during unprecedented circumstances.
Useful Links and Resources
For accurate and up-to-date information related to COVID-19 in Washington State, the following resources are helpful:
The Washington State Department of Health – COVID-19
https://www.doh.wa.gov/Emergencies/Coronavirus
Washington COVID-19 Projections
https://covid19.healthdata.org/united-states-of-america/washington
The Washington Testing for COVID-19
https://www.doh.wa.gov/Emergencies/NovelCoronavirusOutbreak2020COVID19/TestingforCOVID19
Call to Action
If you are searching for a senior care facility during uncertain times and want clear, reliable guidance, A1 Senior Care Advisors is here to help. We will walk you through current safety protocols, care options, and next steps, so you never have to navigate this process alone.
Contact A1 Senior Care Advisors today for trusted, no-cost support with senior care placement and guidance.
