BILLINGS – Aaron Koelsch is the CEO of Koelsch Communities, operator of the Canyon Creek Memory Care Community in Billings. Today he sent a letter to Montana Governor Steve Bullock, in his words “incorrect correct information” about Canyon Creek and COVID-19. Responded to questions raised about the testing of its staff and residents and their response to positive tests for coronavirus. As of today, 10 community residents have died from COVID-related symptoms. Koelsch Communities has rejected Q2 News interview requests. The following is the complete letter to Governor Bullock:
Dear Governor Bullock:
I am writing this letter to correct recently released misinformation about the Canyon Creek Community Memory Care. It is deeply disappointing that the truth of what happened and what is currently happening regarding COVID-19 in our senior housing community has been so distorted in the media.
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, our staff at Canyon Creek has worked diligently and tirelessly to limit the risk of COVID-19 entering our community. Those efforts resulted in Canyon Creek remaining COVID-19 free from the implementation of our enhanced detection and monitoring protocols from mid-February 2020 to the end of June 2020. During that time, Canyon Creek adhered to the guidance of the federal, state and local health. authorities and continuously improved protocols to help prevent the acquisition or transmission of the virus in our community.
In addition, during this time, testing of staff and residents occurred at Canyon Creek. Residents and staff were screened daily for signs or symptoms related to COVID-19. No staff member was allowed to experience symptoms in the community and was advised to seek the advice of their health care providers. Residents who showed signs or symptoms were immediately quarantined and tested for COVID-19. These tests were done in conjunction with RiverStone Health or at local hospitals. All of these residents tested negative during this period.
Canyon Creek is a memory care community. Many of its residents are unclear about their whereabouts and often have difficulty understanding why certain medical procedures are performed. The COVID-19 test is an unpleasant procedure even for people who fully understand what is happening. For those who don’t, it can be scary. Nonetheless, all residents who have undergone symptomatic testing proceeded to submit to our rigorous monitoring and detection protocols.
Given the vigorous efforts at Canyon Creek to monitor and detect COVID-19 infection, the limited scope of the sentinel program, and the potential impact of testing on residents, Canyon Creek, along with many other Montana providers, declined to participate in the volunteering. Sentinel test program offered June 16.
On June 30, a Canyon Creek resident began showing symptoms of COVID-19. That resident was immediately evaluated and the results were positive. Following the resident’s confirmed positive case, Canyon Creek immediately arranged for testing of all residents. Our community has also been quarantined under our pre-existing protocols, and we continue to follow all recommended procedures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and protect the health of our residents.
We continue to work closely with the local Health Department to conduct ongoing testing. This test was most recently performed on all residents and staff who had previously received negative results and will continue to be standard practice as we fight this viral enemy. Despite recent negative headlines, families, staff, and local healthcare providers have continued to provide strong encouragement and support to our community at Canyon Creek. Those people understand and appreciate our deep commitment to health and care that Canyon Creek has continued to show our vulnerable residents.
The COVID-19 pandemic is a serious crisis. We strive hard to prevent COVID-19 from entering our community. Once it did, we take immediate steps to limit its impact and continue to do so.
We are a critical part of the Montana senior care system. We are proud to be at Billings and Bozeman, and proud to serve Montanans as they age.
In closing, let me say that we are vigilant and on high alert. Our attention remains focused on serving our residents to the best of our ability. I am hopeful that this part of the story will also be told.
Sincerely,
Aaron Koelsch
Koelsch Communities President and CEO
