Walden’s Response to COVID-19
As we continue to monitor the status of COVID-19, we wanted to reach out and share what we are doing to keep the entire Walden community safe.
First and foremost, the health and safety of our employees, patients, their families and our partners are our top concerns. We have created a strong preparedness plan following guidelines and recommendations provided by the state health departments (MA, CT, GA) and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to ensure we are doing everything possible to assure a safe and healthy environment for all.
We understand this is a particularly stressful time for people that are struggling or recovering from an eating disorder.
And, we realize this is the ideal time to commit to the care you need. With many individuals home from school or work and/or working reduced hours, we have developed flexible programming to meet your needs.
Our 24-hour programs are running with increased safety measures in place.
- For all inpatient and residential locations, we are open and accepting patients. We realize how important our services are to our clients especially during these times. For the safety of all, we have implemented an abundance of precautions including:
- Increased cleaning efforts with disinfectants confirmed by the EPA to kill the Coronavirus
- Restricting all visitors for all 24-hour care locations – unless pre-approved by each patient’s care team under extenuating circumstances
- All family meetings are being conducted virtually
- Suspended external therapeutic passes
- Increased tech time for all 24-hour care so that patients can connect with loved ones and friends
- All evaluations are being conducted via telehealth
We are now offering virtual PHP and IOP programs – Click here to learn more.
For adults and adolescents seeking IOP and PHP care at all locations, we have adopted virtual models. Groups are smaller and we are able to personalize to meet the needs of each client. You will have 1:1 meetings with each member of your team regularly. Your care is our top concern. Evaluations are being conducted via telehealth.
For information about our virtual PHP and IOP programs, please fill out the form below or call 1-888-305-2997. Our Welcome Center is open and our advisors are here to help you get the support you need.
WALDEN’S RESPONSE TO COVID-19
Walden has taken the following steps to ensure that the company can respond to quickly, and adapt to changes in our working environment:
- Established a task force with our infection control committee that is communicating daily
- Established this webpage as a source of up-to-date information, resources and updates to any Walden programs
- All operations and safety protocols have been reviewed and updated if necessary
- Every current Walden patient will have their temperature taken daily
- Every prospective patient will be screened prior to scheduling an evaluation and at the time of evaluation
- Increased cleaning efforts and frequency at all locations (with disinfectants confirmed by the EPA to kill the Coronavirus)
- Supplied and restocking every location with additional cleaning supplies, hand sanitizer, wipes, soap, etc.
- Updated our visitor policy at all of our locations (see below for details)
- Provided the Walden community with tips on staying healthy
WALDEN’S REVISED VISITATION POLICY
Updated 3/17/20
For both inpatient and residential locations, we are restricting all visitors for all 24-hour care locations — unless pre-approved by each patient’s care team under extenuating circumstances.
Family Meetings
Family therapy is a critical part of the treatment. We will be shifting to utilizing virtual technology as often as possible. We will still have in-person meetings as needed. We will follow our visitation protocol for all in-person meetings.
External Therapeutic Passes
Although external therapeutic passes are an important component of our treatment program, we are suspending passes for the time being in the effort to protect the health of all of our patients and staff and the ongoing viability of our program. We will re-evaluate as more information becomes available over the next few weeks. We understand that this may be a particular imposition to families with younger patients.
IF YOU ARE NOT FEELING WELL
- If you are a current patient at one of our residential or inpatient locations who is experiencing symptoms like fever, cough, congestion, sore throat, or shortness of breath, please alert staff immediately.
TIPS TO STAY HEALTHY
- Wash your hands frequently with soap. This is the best defense. If you are unable to wash with soap and water, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer until you are able to wash your hands. Wash thoroughly, including fingertips and nails.
- Avoid touching your face, eyes and mouth.
- Contain your sneezes and coughing by covering your mouth and nose with a tissue, then wash your hands. If a tissue is not readily available, cough or sneeze into your elbow/sleeve but do not use your hands.
- Do not share food or drink with anyone.
- Wipe down your workspace, any shared workspaces or personal items with sanitizing wipes frequently.
- Avoid close contact with people who appear to be sick. If you do feel under the weather, avoid close contact with others.
- Avoid shaking hands, or any contact with someone else’s hands.