As the coronavirus continues to affect our state and local area, we would like to provide our weekly update on how the virus is impacting Luthercare communities.
We do not have any active cases among residents in our three communities at this time. We will continue to complete regular rounds of testing of both residents and team members as necessary and provide updates as more test results are received.
Luthercare is in the process of lifting some restrictions on visitation to the Healthcare Center and Personal Care community at Spang Crest, our community in Lebanon. This new visitation procedure will go into effect on Monday, August 17. We are dedicated to ensuring that our Spang Crest residents can safely welcome visitors and begin to resume more normal routines, while also implementing careful measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Details about the new visitation procedure are being shared with Spang Crest residents and families. A copy of Spang Crest’s Reopening Implementation Plan, as required by the Pennsylvania Department of Health and Department of Human Services, is available here or a printed copy may be obtained.
The restrictions on visitation to the Luther Acres Healthcare Center remains, but details regarding the reopening plans will be forthcoming. Please continue to check our website, www.Luthercare.org, and social media for updates.
Luthercare continues to adhere to strict protocols and continues 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, Pennsylvania Department of Health and Department of Human Services, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Our top priority remains the health, safety and well-being of our residents and team members.
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 walk you through the process. If you need assistance, please reach out to the Executive Director at your campus. They are: Luther Acres Executive Director Craig Shelly, 717.626.1171; St. John’s Herr Estate Executive Director Anita Martin, 717.684.0678; and Spang Crest Executive Director Dan Deitzel, 717.274.1495.
As the potential for exposure to the virus remains, we urge our residents, families and the greater community to continue to be vigilant. The population we serve are the most vulnerable to viruses such as COVID-19. Please continue to practice social distancing, wash your hands frequently, and wear a mask when you are in public.
Thank you to our team members for their tireless dedication and to the greater community for your ongoing support. We ask you to continue to keep Luthercare in your thoughts and prayers.
Please read below for our individual community updates.
Luther Acres
The Luther Acres Healthcare Center will release its reopening plans once it receives all results for COVID-19 testing following a positive test result of a Healthcare Center team member on Friday, August 7. To date, all other tests have been negative, with a few results outstanding.
In Personal Care, visitations resumed on Monday, August 10, and have been going well, with residents and family members excited to see one another face-to-face after a five-month absence. As a reminder, under the new Personal Care visitation procedure, all visitors must call ahead to reserve a visitation time by calling Alyssa Wojcik at 717-626-1171, ext. 1226. Each visit is to last no more than 30 minutes, and no more than two visitors per resident are permitted, with a maximum of one session per week per resident initially. Visitors must enter the building at the Personal Care entrance. Upon arrival, visitors are required to go through a pre-screening process, including a temperature check and questionnaire. All visitors are required to wear protective face masks, maintain a minimum of six feet of physical distance, and sanitize their hands before and after each visit. More details about visitation can be found here.
Guidelines for visiting Independent Living residents remain unchanged from the “Yellow Phase.” As a reminder, all visitors must check in at a screening station when they arrive to campus. There are directional signs in place to assist you. To review Luthercare’s Independent Living visitation guidelines, please visit https://bit.ly/3eIePBv.
St. John’s Herr Estate
There are no cases of coronavirus among residents or team members at St. John’s Herr Estate.
The new Personal Care visitation procedure began on Monday, August 10, and the in-person visits are going well. As a reminder, all visitors must call ahead to reserve a visitation time by calling 717-684-0678, ext. 118. Each visit is to last no more than 30 minutes, and no more than two visitors per resident are permitted, with a maximum of one session per week per resident initially. Visitors must enter the building at the Personal Care entrance. Upon arrival, visitors are required to go through a screening process, including a temperature check and questionnaire. All visitors are required to wear protective face masks, maintain a minimum of six feet of physical distance, and sanitize their hands before and after each visit. More details about visitation can be found here.
Guidelines for visiting Independent Living residents remain unchanged from the “Yellow Phase.” As a reminder, all visitors must check in at a screening station when they arrive to campus. There are directional signs in place to assist you. To review Luthercare’s Independent Living visitation guidelines, please visit https://bit.ly/3eIePBv.
Spang Crest
There are no cases of coronavirus among residents or team members at Spang Crest.
The new visitation procedure at Spang Crest will go into effect on Monday, August 17. All family members will be receiving a phone call from a Spang Crest team member to reserve a visitation time. Please do not call the building as we are doing our best to schedule everyone in a timely fashion. Each visit is to last no more than 30 minutes, and no more than two visitors per resident are permitted, with a maximum of one session per week per resident initially. At this time, there will be no children under age 18 and no pets. Visitors must enter the building at the main entrance facing Duke Street. Upon arrival, visitors are required to go through a screening process, including a temperature check and questionnaire. All visitors are required to wear a surgical mask, maintain a minimum of six feet of physical distance, and sanitize their hands before and after each visit.
Visiting hours will be held Tuesday through Friday as follows:
• Tuesday, Personal Care, from 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, First Floor, 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• Thursday, Second Floor, 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• Friday, Third Floor, 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Visits will be scheduled in four locations: Main Dining Room Patio (Personal Care only), Main Entrance, Ambulance Entrance and Gathering Place. In the event of inclement weather, indoor accommodations will be utilized. Outside patio tables and chairs will be set up in advance of each visit to maintain a six-foot distance between resident and guest(s). Disinfecting and sanitizing of the visitation areas will occur after each visit.
As a reminder, when visitors arrive to Spang Crest, there are directional signs in place to assist you in finding the screening station to check in. And as always, we encourage families and residents to communicate regularly through phone calls, texts, video chats, and other virtual means. We have team members who can walk you through the process.
For additional information, please reach out to the Spang Crest Executive Director Daniel W. Deitzel III at 717-274-1495.
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.