Due to the numbers of Independent Living, Personal Care and Healthcare Center residents who have been vaccinated against COVID-19, as well as recent direction from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, Luthercare is beginning to ease some restrictions at our campuses, including visitation.
On Tuesday, March 23, Luthercare will resume safely welcoming visitors to all levels of care. That date marks two weeks since the first vaccination clinic for Independent Living residents
If you’re planning a visit to a loved one at a Luthercare community, the information below offers guidance. As a reminder, all visitors must check in at a screening station when arriving to a Luthercare campus. There are directional signs in place to assist you.
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.
Independent Living Visitors
Limited visitation will resume in our Independent Living residences only. 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. Overnight visits are not permitted at this time.
Visitors must check in at a screening station prior to visiting with a resident. Instructions for screening locations are identified at campus entrances. 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 distancing and practice infection control measures.
Only residents are permitted to eat in our campus dining venues.
At this time, we ask that visits only occur during the following hours:
- Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
- Saturday & Sunday: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Personal Care Visitors
All permitted visitors must be screened upon arrival. Screening locations are identified at all campus entrances. 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 distancing and practice infection control measures.
At St. John’s Herr Estate, Personal Care visitation is available. 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 resident each week, and social distancing, masking and hand-washing guidelines must be followed.
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.
At Spang Crest, 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 call Spang Crest at 717.274.1495.
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.
Healthcare Center Visitors
Visitors to skilled nursing care residents in our Healthcare Centers at Spang Crest and Luther Acres must continue to schedule appointment times. Visits will occur in designated visitation areas outside of the Healthcare Center.
At Spang Crest, visits should be scheduled by calling 717.274.1495. At Luther Acres, visits should be scheduled through the Therapeutic Recreation Department, 717.626.1171, ext. 1541.
All visitors must be screened upon arrival. Screening locations are identified at all campus entrances. 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 distancing and practice infection control measures.
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.
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We encourage families and residents to continue communicating 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:
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
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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.