Luthercare continues to see success from COVID-19 vaccinations in our communities. We currently have no cases of COVID-19 among residents or team members at our campuses.
In community news, Spang Crest in Lebanon this week resumed outdoor visitation, and Personal Care residents began regular in-room visitation. Starting June 1, Spang Crest Healthcare Center residents can leave the building, including overnight visits with families.
This week, a new mask-wearing policy went into effect for Independent Living residents at Luther Acres in Lititz and St. John’s Herr Estate in Columbia. Following guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is no longer necessary for fully vaccinated Independent Living residents or their visitors to mask or physically distance when in common areas, on-campus restaurants, or wellness/fitness centers. Residents and visitors need to wear masks while in licensed areas of campuses (Personal Care, Healthcare Center, and Salons). Luthercare team members, regardless of the area in which they are working, will remain masked, unless in a team meeting where all members are fully vaccinated. Please note, the guidelines from Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Pennsylvania Department of Health pertaining to Personal Care and Skilled Nursing residents have not changed.
Please remember that “fully vaccinated” is defined as two-weeks after a person’s second dose in a two-dose series or two-weeks after a single dose vaccine. Any cottage or apartment resident or their visitor(s) who does not meet the definition of being “fully vaccinated” is required to continue to mask and physically distance. When outdoors, neither vaccinated nor unvaccinated residents are required to mask. Staff members do not need to mask when outdoors but will continue to wear masks indoors.
Luthercare encourages residents to adopt safety practices based on their level of comfort with current guidelines, and we expect residents and visitors to be respectful of one another’s personal choices in deciding when and where to wear a mask.
Luthercare continues to urge our residents, team members, and the greater community to receive the vaccine when possible and to remain diligent in mitigating the spread of the virus by following COVID-19 health and safety protocols. The combination of getting vaccinated and following the CDC’s recommendations for personal safety offer the best protection from COVID-19.
Luthercare, in partnership with Phoebe Pharmacy, is continuing to hold regular on-site vaccination clinics for new residents and newly hired team members, as well as current residents and staff now wishing to be inoculated. Our next scheduled clinic at Luther Acres is set for Thursday, June 3.
If you have questions about vaccination schedules, visitation or the reopening status of your loved one’s community, please contact the Executive Director of that 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
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.