Coronavirus news and updates from Touchmark

At Touchmark, we have the honor and privilege of providing a safe and friendly home environment for residents and their loved ones. It is our duty to ensure we are always taking the steps necessary to protect the health and overall well-being of all residents, team members, and their families to the best of our ability. Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have taken proactive safety measures and continue to do so as circumstances evolve.

Touchmark is one of many professional organizations and regulatory bodies that mandate COVID-19 vaccination for their employees as the pandemic surges forward with new variants. One of our values is, “I am always aware that I work in the homes of our residents,” and this was a values-based decision to help to protect the health of residents, team members, and their families.

We are looking to hire individuals whose values align with ours and who believe in doing everything they can to lead by example in safety, compassion, and empathy. If that sounds like you, we encourage you to apply for available positions.

Can I visit my loved one(s) on campus?

Are masks required?

All team members re required to wear masks in all areas of campus at all times except when actively eating or drinking, regardless of vaccination status. All visitors to our communities are required to wear masks for the duration of their visits regardless of vaccination status. Surgical masks are kept at the front desk for visitors who need them when they check in for screening. Because of the high rate of vaccination of residents, vaccinated residents will not be required to wear masks in campus common areas, though they are strongly encouraged to do so.

Are team members required to be vaccinated?

Yes. Touchmark requires full vaccination of all team members by November 1, 2021 for most communities and by October 18, 2021 for our communities in Washington and Oregon. Currently, we are not legally permitted to require vaccination of team members in Montana and Canada. Effective as of Tuesday, August 31, Touchmark only hires vaccinated individuals. New candidates must have received at least their first vaccine shot by their first day of employment and get their second shot, if applicable, to continue working.

When does testing occur?

We test any remaining unvaccinated team members weekly. In the event of a breakthrough case, all team members and residents in affected areas will be tested. After November 1, 2021, unvaccinated team members who received a legal exemption and those who are not yet fully vaccinated (14 days after receiving all necessary doses of the vaccine) must undergo weekly COVID-19 testing at the community for any week during which they are scheduled to work.

Do I need a booster shot for my COVID-19 vaccine?

The CDC and other health care experts recommend COVID-19 vaccine boosters for all Americans two to six months (depending on vaccine type) after they have received their second dose of the shot to help protect against the coronavirus as variants emerge and spread. As part of our team member vaccine policy, all team members are required to receive a booster shot within 30 days of their six-month full vaccination date.

100% of team members are fully vaccinated!*
Click to learn more about our response to COVID-19.

“The vaccine is very important and we feel everyone who can get it should for those who can’t, especially the children.”

– Michael & Kathleen Worrall, residents

Team Member Vaccine Acceptance Rate

Resident Vaccine Acceptance Rate