As local health officials continue to report rising coronavirus case counts and greater numbers of hospitalizations in our region, we would like to provide our weekly update on how COVID-19 is impacting Luthercare communities. We urge our residents, team members and the greater community to remain diligent in mitigating the spread of the virus.
We continue to remind our residents, team members and visitors to keep practicing the 3 W’s: Wear a mask, Wash your Hands, Watch your distance. Our residents are required to wear masks when leaving apartments or cottages, when going to the store, or anytime they may come into contact with others. Some residents and staff are not vaccinated or haven’t received their second doses, so not everyone is protected from COVID-19. This is still a critical time, and we ask you to continue to practice these precautions to keep yourself, your neighbors, your friends, and your loved ones healthy and safe.
This week, UPMC held the second of two on-site mass vaccination clinics at Luther Acres for Independent Living residents from Luther Acres and St. John’s Herr Estate. In all, more than 250 residents were vaccinated. The combination of getting vaccinated and following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendations for personal safety offer the best protection from COVID-19.
Regarding visitation, those planning to visit a loved one at a Luthercare community must check in at a screening location when arriving to a Luthercare campus. Visitors who fail to meet the screening requirements will be asked to return when symptoms resolve or cleared by a physician. All visitors should wear a mask, maintain a physical distance, and practice infection control measures.
We appreciate your patience as we make changes to follow our state and federal guidelines.
If you have questions regarding visitation or reopening guidelines, more information is available by reaching out the Executive Director at each campus. They are:
Luther Acres Executive Director Craig Shelly, 717.626.1171
St. John’s Herr Estate Executive Director Anita Martin, 717.684.0678
Spang Crest Executive Director Dan Deitzel, 717.274.1495
Luther Acres
This week, two team members in the Healthcare Center tested positive for COVID-19. Both are asymptomatic, but most services and activities have been affected as a result. Residents will be tested each of the next two weeks to monitor for any spread of the virus. Resident dining is occurring in individual rooms, and one-on-one activities are taking place. In addition, salon services have been temporarily suspended. In-person resident visitation has been discontinued for the current time, with only compassionate care visits occurring. Luther Acres administration will continue to work with the medical director to determine when it is safe for dining, activities and visitation to return to normal.
One Independent Living resident who tested positive last week remains under self-quarantine as they continue to recover from a COVID-19 diagnosis. The resident is doing well and is expected to make a full recovery.
On Tuesday, UPMC returned to campus for the second of two vaccination clinics for Independent Living residents from Luther Acres and St. John’s Herr Estate. In all, more than 250 residents were vaccinated. Looking ahead, Luther Acres has scheduled another vaccination clinic with Phoebe Pharmacy to vaccinate newly hired team members and other team members now wishing to be vaccinated.
There are no cases of COVID-19 among Personal Care residents or team members. Personal Care visitation is available through scheduled appointment times. To schedule your visit, please contact Alyssa Wojcik at 717.626.1171, ext. 1226, or email her at awojcik@luthercare.org.
In Independent Living, residents may receive one to two visitors per week, and all visitors must be screened upon arrival and follow all safety protocols. Residents should receive visitors in their apartments, cottages, or available outdoor space, rather than in lobbies or common areas. At this time, overnight visits are not permitted, and only residents may eat in our dining venues, which remain at a limited capacity.
St. John’s Herr Estate
The Personal Care resident and Dining Services team member who tested positive, as reported last week, are no longer in quarantine, and the employee has returned to work. All Personal Care residents and team members were tested this week per recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention due to Lancaster County’s increased positivity rate. All tests have returned normal.
On Tuesday, UPMC held the second of two vaccination clinics for Independent Living residents from St. John’s Herr Estate and Luther Acres.
In Personal Care, visitors are now required to call 717.449.5996 to schedule a visitation time. Visitors are also required to go through the pre-screening process, including a temperature must wear protective masks and an identifying visitor’s sticker during the visit and are asked to sanitize their hands before and after each visit.
Visiting hours will be held daily from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., and 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
All visits will be scheduled in the residents’ private rooms, and no more than two visitors per visit are permitted, with a maximum of two sessions per week per resident initially. Visits may not occur in indoor common areas. Each visit is to last no more than 30 minutes. Visits will be prioritized on a first-come, first-served basis. Outdoor visits are recommended, weather permitting, and unlimited.
Independent Living residents may receive one to two visitors per week. Visitors are required to be screened at entrances and must wear a mask covering their nose and mouth. Residents should receive visitors in their apartments, cottages, or available outdoor space, rather than in lobbies or common areas. At this time, overnight visits are not permitted, and only residents may eat in our dining venues, which remain at a limited capacity.
We appreciate your patience as we make changes to follow our state and federal guidelines.
Spang Crest
Spang Crest has no new cases among residents or team members. Due to Lebanon County’s positivity rate, testing continues once a week for all team members, adhering to the regulatory standards regarding continued universal testing from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
We continue with visitation, communal dining, and beautician services for all residents. Visitors must continue to schedule appointment times. To schedule your visit, please call Spang Crest at 717.274.1495. All visitors must be screened upon arrival. Visitors who fail to meet the screening requirements will be asked to return when symptoms resolve or cleared by a physician. All visitors should wear a mask, maintain a physical distance, and practice infection control measures.
All visits will take place in a designated visitation area. We ask that there be no more than two visitors and that social distancing, masking and hand-washing guidelines be followed.
***
About Luthercare:
Founded in 1949, Luthercare, a social ministry organization affiliated with the Lower Susquehanna Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and a member of Lutheran Services in America, is a leading provider of independent, personal care and skilled care residences in Lancaster and Lebanon counties. Luthercare operates Luther Acres, a Continuing Care Retirement Community in Lititz, Pa.; Spang Crest, a rehabilitation center, skilled nursing and memory support personal care community in Lebanon, Pa.; and St. John’s Herr Estate, an independent living and personal care community in Columbia, Pa. Additionally, Luthercare operates PA Keystone Stars-accredited child care and early learning centers in Marietta, Reamstown and Annville. Luthercare, a pioneer in Child Care Programs, also offers a Mentoring Program, which aids home-based child care providers in Lebanon and Lancaster counties.