As Pennsylvania and Lancaster/Lebanon counties continue to combat the infectious illness COVID-19, we would like to provide an update on how the virus is impacting our Luthercare communities.
Our top priority remains the health, safety and well-being of our residents and team members. Our team members are working tirelessly on the front lines, and we commend you for your dedication and the care, service and compassion you are delivering to our residents.
The impact of COVID-19 at Luther Acres Healthcare Center in Lititz is that 42 residents have tested positive or are presumed positive, 23 have passed away and 7 have recovered. It is important to note that presumed cases are based on consultation with the resident’s physician and our medical director. If we learn, following testing, that any presumed case was in fact negative, our numbers will be revised.
We have had 28 Healthcare Center employees test positive; 13 have been cleared to return to work, following current CDC guidelines.
As we previously reported, one Independent Living resident at Luther Acres was self-quarantining after a positive diagnosis, and that person has since recovered. There are no cases in Personal Care.
At St. John’s Herr Estate in Columbia, five Personal Care residents have tested positive; two have passed away and one has recovered.
We have no cases of COVID-19 at our Spang Crest community in Lebanon.
We ask you to please keep our residents’ families, as well as our team members, in your thoughts and prayers during this extremely difficult time.
Luthercare will continue to be open and transparent with our residents, team members and the greater community. Doing so is consistent with our mission, To reflect Christ’s love through service to others, and with our core values: integrity, compassion, teamwork, connection and learning. At the same time, our organization will continue to protect our residents’ privacy and personal health information as required under HIPAA regulations.
We continue to adhere to strict protocols and continue taking aggressive measures to protect our communities from exposure to COVID-19. Luthercare is adhering to the CDC’s Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Patients with Suspected or Confirmed Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Healthcare Settings. We are working closely with our medical director and following the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Pennsylvania Department of Health, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Additionally, we have implemented weekly calls to responsible parties for residents in the Luther Acres Healthcare Center to provide regular updates to all.
As Mother’s Day occurs this weekend, we know the holiday will look very different for our residents and their families. We urge you to continue to practice social distancing as the coronavirus is highly transmittable, and the population we serve are the most vulnerable. Luthercare is encouraging families to send their love and warm wishes to their mother virtually. Photos, messages or videos (please keep to 60 seconds or less) can be sent via Facebook Messenger to Luthercare’s Facebook page or directly to mlabrecque@luthercare.org. We can’t wait to share these messages!
As a reminder, visitors continue to be restricted to all campuses, and we have posted signs at entrances to remind the public not to visit or use the communities for recreation. We encourage families and residents to communicate regularly through phone calls, texts, video chat, and other virtual means. We have team members who can help. If you need assistance, please reach out to the Executive Director or Administrator at your campus. They can be reached at Luther Acres, 717.626.1171; at St. John’s Herr Estate, 717.684.0678; and at Spang Crest, 717.274.1495.
Once again, we thank you for your support and understanding during this challenging time. Please continue to keep Luthercare in your thoughts and prayers.
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 four PA Keystone Stars-accredited child care and early learning centers in Lancaster, 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.