Luthercare is continuing its commitment to provide regular information on how COVID-19 is impacting Luthercare communities, and we are pleased to see the success of the vaccination roll-out across our senior living communities. Although we currently have no cases among residents, we would like remind you of the importance of remaining diligent in mitigating the spread of the virus.
This week, we began easing some restrictions on dining, activities and visitation at our campuses, due to the numbers of Healthcare Center, Personal Care and Independent Living residents who have been vaccinated against the virus, as well as recent direction from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Those planning a visit to 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. We look forward to seeing residents and their family members together again, and we sincerely appreciate your support over the past year.
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
For now, residents, staff, and visitors need to continue practicing the 3 W’s: Wear a mask, Wash your Hands, Watch your distance. Some residents and staff are not vaccinated or haven’t received their second doses, so not everyone is protected from COVID-19 and could be infected by visitors. This continues to be 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.
Luther Acres
There are currently no cases of COVID-19 among campus residents or team members.
In the Healthcare Center this week, salon service returned to normal hours, and communal dining in the Holder Dining Room continued for all three meals. The Therapeutic Recreation Department continues to hold small resident group activities with social distancing and surgical masks. Scheduled family visitation continues in designated visitation areas outside of the Healthcare Center. Visits should be scheduled through the Therapeutic Recreation Department, 717.626.1171, ext. 1541.
At Luther Acres, Personal Care visitation is available through scheduled appointment times, and 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. 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 they are not required to be on an approved visitor list. 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. Beginning Monday, March 29, private duty housekeeping and cleaning services may resume, and individuals must be screened and follow all safety protocols, including mask wearing.
St. John’s Herr Estate
There are no cases of COVID-19 among campus residents. A Dining Services team member is in quarantine and awaiting test results after experiencing COVID-like symptoms.
Beginning tomorrow (Saturday), we are modifying our visitation policy in Personal Care. To help us manage the number of visitors at a given time, we are asking guests to please call ahead at 717.449.5996 to alert our team members when they will be arriving. Outdoor visits are recommended when weather permits, and no more than two visitors will be permitted in private rooms at a time. Visits may not occur in indoor common areas. There should be no more than two visitors per week, and social distancing, masking and hand-washing guidelines must be followed.
Independent Living residents may receive one to two visitors per week and are not required to be on an approved visitor lists. Visitors are required to be screened at entrances and must wear a mask covering their nose and mouth.
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. Weekly team member testing continues. This week, beautician services, communal dining, and visitation resumed 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.
Under the guidance of CMS and CDC, if a resident has been fully vaccinated, they can have close contact (including touch) with a loved one, as long as both resident and visitor are wearing a mask. As always, a compassionate care visit can be scheduled if the resident’s medical condition warrants. Throughout all these changes, we require visitors to wear a surgical mask, use the screening process at the main entrance, and follow the 3 W’s: Wash your hands, Wear a mask, and Watch your distance. Thank you for your understanding!
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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.