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Episcopal Homes

Nursing Home, Assisted Living, Independent Living St. Paul MN

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ENRICHING LIFE, BUILDING COMMUNITY A tradition of caring since 1894

COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Updates

Updated 1/22/2021
To: All Residents, Family Members, and Staff of Episcopal Homes

Subject: Weekly COVID-19 Update

I am very pleased to report that, for two weeks in a row, no residents at Episcopal Homes have Covid. We do have seven staff with Covid and all are home recovering.

Vaccinations are accelerating. Most of our communities have either already received the first dose of the vaccine or it is scheduled to occur within the next 10 days. We are working hard to get the rest of our communities scheduled as soon as possible. We will keep you informed.

Remember that it is the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), working primarily through Walgreens and CVS pharmacies, that decide the scheduling of the vaccine. We do not have any say in this process.

Epidemiologists and other experts in the field are very clear that even after we receive the vaccine we will still need to wear masks and physically distance for several months. Especially with the more contagious B.1.1.7 viral variant entering Minnesota, these key measures remain crucial. It is not yet known whether someone can be a carrier of Covid even after receiving the vaccine. As vaccinations occur throughout the US population over the next several months, mass immunity will be achieved, dramatically lowering everyone’s risk. Until then, masks and physical distancing are vital.

Be watching for updates from us regarding changes to some of our programming offerings and changes in visitation policies at some of our communities.

I want to emphasize that we are ensuring enrichment programming is accessible on our website. Go to www.episcopalhomes.org and click “Resident Life” in the upper right corner of the page. Both my weekly video message and wellbeing program links will rotate under current announcements. Wellbeing programs can also be found at www.episcopalhomes.org/wellbeing. Both of these paths will bring you to our programming schedules and offerings, including information on internal TV and Zoom programming.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to the manager of your community or to me directly with any questions you may have. We’re in this together.

Warmly,

Marvin Plakut, CEO
mplakut@episcopalhomes.org
651-632-8851

Updated 1/21/2021

Updates from January 1-15, 2021

Updated 1/15/2021To: All Residents, Family Members, and Staff of Episcopal Homes

Subject: Weekly COVID-19 Update

I am very pleased to report that no residents at Episcopal Homes have Covid at this time. We do have eight staff with Covid and all are home recovering.

Vaccinations are accelerating. Two weeks ago The Gardens’ residents and many staff were vaccinated. Last week Episcopal Church Home residents and staff were vaccinated. Today vaccinations occurred at Kings Crossing. Carty Heights is scheduled to receive the vaccine on Sunday. And Iris Park Commons is scheduled for January 25. We are working on getting the rest of our communities scheduled as soon as possible. We will keep you informed.

Remember that it is the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), working primarily through Walgreens and CVS pharmacies, that decide the scheduling of the vaccine. We do not have any say in this process.

Epidemiologists and other experts in the field are very clear that even after we receive the vaccine we will still need to wear masks and physically distance for several months. Especially with the more contagious B.1.1.7 viral variant entering Minnesota, these key measures remain crucial. It is not yet known whether someone can be a carrier of Covid even after receiving the vaccine. As vaccinations occur throughout the US population over the next several months, mass immunity will be achieved, dramatically lowering everyone’s risk. Until then, masks and physical distancing are vital.

Be watching for updates from us regarding changes to some of our programming offerings and changes in visitation policies at some of our communities.

I want to emphasize that we are ensuring enrichment programming is accessible on our website. Go to www.episcopalhomes.org and click “Resident Life” in the upper right corner of the page. Both my weekly video message and wellbeing program links will rotate under current announcements. Wellbeing programs can also be found at www.episcopalhomes.org/wellbeing. Both of these paths will bring you to our programming schedules and offerings, including information on internal TV and Zoom programming.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to the manager of your community or to me directly with any questions you may have. We’re in this together.

Warmly,

Marvin Plakut, CEO
mplakut@episcopalhomes.org
651-632-8851

Updated 1/14/2021


Updated 1/11/2021

Updated 1/08/2021
To: All Residents, Family Members, and Staff of Episcopal Homes

Subject: Weekly COVID-19 Update

Welcome to the New Year! There sure is a lot more hope in the air compared to just a few months ago.

We presently have two residents with Covid and seven staff. Of the two residents, one originated at Episcopal Homes and the other resident came to us from the hospital. Just a reminder that last week we started this new practice at Episcopal Church Home (ECH) of accepting some Covid-positive residents from hospitals even if they did not originate at Episcopal Homes. After many months of managing the virus, we gained the skills and practices needed to keep the virus from spreading once the resident is in our dedicated Covid unit. Also, the hospitals need our help, so it is the right thing to do. You will notice on our dashboard that we have distinguished between the two categories.

The vaccine is here! Last week all Gardens’ residents and many staff were vaccinated. Their second round of vaccinations will occur on January 27. Yesterday, ECH residents and staff were vaccinated and their second dose will be administered on February 4. We are working on getting the vaccine to the rest of our Episcopal Homes residents and staff. We will keep you informed.

We want all of you to know that it is the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) that decides when long term care organizations will receive the vaccine. We do not have any say in this process.

Remember, even after we receive the vaccine we will still need to wear masks and physically distance for several months. Especially with the more contagious B.1.1.7 viral variant entering several states in the U.S. (but not yet found in Minnesota), these key measures remain crucial. Scientists do not yet know whether someone can be a carrier of Covid even after receiving the vaccine. As vaccinations occur throughout the US population over the next several months, mass immunity will be achieved, dramatically lowering everyone’s risk. Until then, masks and physical distancing are vital.

Governor Walz has relaxed some restrictions pertaining to restaurants, bars, movie theaters, etc. These changes are effective Monday, January 11. Be watching for updates from us regarding changes to some of our offerings in the near future including changes in visitation policies. We will have more information for you soon.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to the manager of your community or to me directly with any questions you may have. We’re in this together.

Warmly,

Marvin Plakut, CEO
mplakut@episcopalhomes.org
651-632-8851

Updated 1/07/2021


Updated 1/04/2021

Updates from December, 2020

Updated 12/31/2020
December 31, 2020
To: All Residents, Family Members, and Staff of Episcopal Homes

Subject: Weekly COVID-19 Update

Note: be sure to read this letter carefully as it contains some important new details.

We presently have two residents with Covid and four staff. Of the two residents, one originated at Episcopal Homes and the other resident came to us from the hospital. And that is now new for Episcopal Church Home (ECH). We have started to accept some Covid-positive residents from hospitals even if they did not originate at Episcopal Homes. After many months of managing the virus, we have gained the skills needed, and are now confident in our ability, to keep the virus from spreading once the resident is in our dedicated Covid unit. Also, the hospitals need our help, so it is the right thing to do. You will notice on our dashboard that we have distinguished between the two categories.

The vaccine is here! Yesterday, all Gardens’ residents were vaccinated in Otto Hall and many staff were as well. The second round of their vaccinations will occur on February 27. Next week on Thursday, January 7, ECH residents and staff will receive the first dose of the vaccine, and 28 days later will receive the second dose. (Family members of ECH residents: if you have not yet come to ECH to sign vaccine waivers, please do so as soon as possible.) We are working on getting the vaccine to the rest of our Episcopal Homes residents and staff. We will keep you informed.

We want all of you to know that it is the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) that is making the decisions on when long term care organizations will receive the vaccine. We do not have any say in this process.

Remember, even after we receive the vaccine we will still need to wear masks and physically distance for several months. The reason is because the scientists do not yet know whether someone can be a carrier of Covid even after receiving the vaccine. Also, scientists do not yet know how quickly immunity builds. We’ll all be following the news as we learn together. Vigilance with wearing a mask and physical distancing remains vital.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to the manager of your community or to me directly with any questions you may have.

Lastly, I want to deeply thank every one of you for what you have endured this year. I want to deeply thank you for your conscientious commitment to our core values of love and support for one another as we work to keep everyone safe and healthy: physically, mentally, and emotionally. It is only through teamwork, through your vigilance, that we are effectively managing this pandemic at Episcopal Homes. You inspire me every day. Residents and staff and family members – THANK YOU.

We’re in this together.

See you next year.

Marvin Plakut, CEO
mplakut@episcopalhomes.org
651-632-8851

Updated 12/29/2020
With a dedicated unit and staff and safety protocol established, EH is now able to accept Covid-19 patients into our TCU to help alleviate the burden from some of our hospital partners.
Updated 12/28/2020

Updated 12/24/2020
December 24, 2020

To: All Residents, Family Members, and Staff of Episcopal Homes

Subject: Weekly COVID-19 Update

We continue to make substantial progress with active Covid cases. We presently have no residents with Covid and only three staff members have the virus. The Covid positive staff are home and will return to work when the virus is fully resolved. As we all know, the virus is still surging in Minnesota, so our improvements look even better in that context.

The vaccine is here! Next week on Wednesday (December 30) Garden’s residents and staff will receive the first dose of the vaccine, and 28 days later will receive the second dose. Episcopal Church Home (ECH) residents and staff will be receiving the first dose of the vaccine the following week. We are working on getting the vaccine to the rest of our Episcopal Homes residents and staff but we do not yet know how soon that will occur. Be watching for updates soon from leadership at The Gardens and ECH. Managers of our other communities will provide you updates as soon as we know the plan.

“Victory Vaccine over Covid-19.” Find out why so many of our staff think the vaccine is so important!

Remember, even after we receive the vaccine we will still need to wear masks and physically distance for several months. The reason is because the scientists do not yet know whether someone can be a carrier of Covid even after receiving the vaccine. Also, scientists do not yet know how quickly immunity builds. We’ll all be following the news as we learn together.

With Christmas and New Year’s upon us, we all must be very cautious with our interactions. The virus is spreading. Remember that the vaccine is the light at the end of the tunnel, but right now we’re in the tunnel. Governor Walz provided very specific guidelines for family get-togethers over the holidays. Vigilance with wearing a mask and physical distancing remains vital. Limiting group size and quantity of time together is important. Let us all be wise and take care of one another.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to the manager of your community or to me directly with any questions you may have.

Thank you so much for your support and your vigilance as we all do our part to keep one another safe. We’re in this together.

A toast to you for meaningful (and safe) holidays!

Marvin Plakut, CEO
mplakut@episcopalhomes.org
651-632-8851

Updated 12/21/2020

Updated 12/18/2020

To: All Residents, Family Members, and Staff of Episcopal Homes

Subject: Weekly COVID-19 Update

I am very pleased to report substantial progress with active Covid cases. We presently have four residents with Covid and 10 staff members. Just one week ago we had almost double that number of people infected. We are particularly pleased because of how significantly Covid is surging in Minnesota and throughout the nation at this time.

Of the four residents infected, two are in our dedicated Covid unit at Episcopal Church Home, one is quarantined in their apartment at Carty Heights or one at Iris Park Commons. The Covid positive staff are home and will return to work when the virus is fully resolved.

With Christmas and New Year’s just around the corner, we all must be very cautious with our interactions. The virus is spreading. As I heard on the news a few days ago, the vaccine is the light at the end of the tunnel, but right now we’re in the tunnel. We need to heed those words. Please be sure to review Governor Walz’ most recent Executive Order which provides very specific guidelines for family get-together’s over the holidays. Vigilance with wearing a mask and physical distancing remains extremely vital. Limiting group size and quantity of time together is extremely important. Let us all be wise and take care of one another.

Ever since the pandemic began, increasing numbers of people have been hesitant to move into congregate living environments, even though most are very safe, especially here at Episcopal Homes. This has created some rare openings at Iris Park Commons, our assisted living community. To that end, we have a great opportunity for anyone you know who might be thinking about a move to assisted living or is in need of additional supports. We have both one and two bedroom apartments available. And for anyone moving in before February 1st, there is a $2,000 rent credit. If you know someone who is looking or needs more information about assisted living, please have them contact Bethany Burns at 651-632-8858 or bburns@episcopalhomes.org.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to the manager of your community or to me directly with any questions you may have.

Thank you so much for your support and your vigilance as we all do our part to keep one another safe. We’re in this together.

Warmly,

Marvin Plakut, CEO
mplakut@episcopalhomes.org
651-632-8851

Updated 12/17/2020


Updated 12/14/2020

Updated 12/11/2020
To: All Residents, Family Members, and Staff of Episcopal HomesSubject: Weekly COVID-19 UpdatePresently we have 13 residents with Covid and 12 staff members. The number of Covid infections has been slowly-but-steadily increasing each week for the last month. The increase has been correlating to the virus spread throughout Minnesota.

The 13 residents are either in our dedicated Covid unit at Episcopal Church home or are quarantined in their apartments at Carty Heights or at Iris Park Commons. The Covid positive staff are home and will return to work when the virus is fully resolved.

None of us can afford to become complacent or non-compliant with precautions. Covid continues to spread rapidly throughout Minnesota. Governor Walz’ Executive Order remains in place. We closed the Terrace Grill, Watters Pub, the movie theater, and all group exercises and other group events that were occurring in Otto Hall or elsewhere. One-on-one exercise is continuing with Anthony, one-on-one in the pool as well, and outdoor walking groups continue. Our Welcome Center salon is open, consistent with the Executive Order.

Vigilance with wearing a mask and physical distancing remains extremely vital. Until a vaccine is widely distributed, these are our strongest tools for remaining protected.

At this time of increased stress and strain, I encourage you to reach out to someone in need. Make their day. You will benefit in return. It will feed your soul.

I want to emphasize that we are ensuring enrichment programming is accessible on our website. Go to www.episcopalhomes.org and click “Resident Life” in the upper right corner of the page. Both my weekly video message and wellbeing program links will rotate under current announcements. Wellbeing programs can also be found at www.episcopalhomes.org/wellbeing. Both of these paths will bring you to our programming schedules and offerings, including information on internal TV and Zoom programming.

It is easy to know where we stand with Covid-19 by looking at our “COVID-19 Case Dashboard” on our Episcopal Homes website at www.episcopalhomes.org/covid-19.

We all need to vigilantly do our part protecting ourselves and our neighbors and love ones. We’re in this together.

Warmly,

Marvin Plakut, CEO
mplakut@episcopalhomes.org
651-632-8851

Updated 12/10/2020


Updated 12/07/2020
https://youtu.be/DqQ577ssVHsTo All Iris Park Commons & Katy’s Cottage Staff, Residents, Families, Friends & Representatives:

As of today, an additional 2 residents have tested positive for COVID-19. One of the residents are in the hospital, the other will be transferred to the COVID unit today and the other is currently in their apartment being care for. This resident will be moved over to the COVID unit as soon as possible. Additionally we have 3 other staff members that have tested positive.Through our contact tracing we have been able to determine that all the staff except for one had contact with the residents that tested positive. At this point we continue to do further contact tracing to ensure that staff and residents that had contact with any of the residents or staff are quarantining in their apartments.We are working with the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) to ensure we are taking all appropriate steps. In addition, we are following recommended COVID-19 guidance from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention to protect our residents and staff from this virus and will continue to take every action possible to prevent it from spreading in our setting. These measures include:

  • Modifying our visitation policy based on MDH guidance for everyone’s safety. We encourage loved ones to communicate with residents by phone or video chat, if possible. We will accommodate essential caregiver and compassionate care visits on a case-by-case basis. We understand that the visitation limitations will be hard, both for residents and family. As soon as we’re able to change this, we will let you know.
  • Implementing enhanced infection control measures. We will limit residents from congregating in social spaces, moving throughout the building and encourage them to stay in their rooms at this time.
  • Isolating residents who have tested positive: ECH has a dedicated COVID unit that residents who test positive and our in need of skilled services will be transferred to. We will isolate residents that test positive to their apartment and can remain in their apartment independently. If necessary, assigned dedicated staff will provide cares to limit potential spread of the virus in our setting.
  • Monitoring and screening residents. Residents will continue to be screen daily for COVID-19 symptoms. Weekly COVID testing will be done until no new positive COVID-19 cases are reported.
  • Continuing to screen staff prior to beginning work and upon leaving. Staff are not allowed in the building if they are ill. Screening includes temperature taking and screening questions. Any staff who exhibit symptoms are instructed to self-quarantine at home.
    We will suspend all in-person resident activities until further notice and close communal areas.

I will continue to send updates on any other developments. For more up-to-date information you can continue to receive updates and additional changes through our website at www.episcopalhomes.org/covid-19. Remember that any previous messages or updates can be viewed on our website as well.

If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to reach out.

Sincerely,
Deborah Ashamu,
IPC Director
dashamu@episcopalhomes.org
651-209-8522

Updated 12/04/2020
December 4, 2020To: All Residents, Family Members, and Staff of Episcopal HomesSubject: Weekly COVID-19 Update

Presently we have nine residents with Covid and five staff members. The increase with residents is the result of a small outbreak at Carty Heights which is our HUD supported community at University & Lexington. Four of the nine residents are in our dedicated Covid unit at Episcopal Church Home, and five remain quarantined in their apartments at Carty Heights. The Covid positive staff will return to work when the virus is fully resolved.

Covid continues to be spreading rapidly throughout Minnesota. Governor Walz’ Executive Order remains in place. As mentioned last week, we closed the Terrace Grill, Watters Pub, the movie theater, and all group exercises and other group events that were occurring in Otto Hall or elsewhere. One-on-one exercise is continuing with Anthony, one-on-one in the pool as well, and outdoor walking groups continue. Our Welcome Center salon is open, consistent with the Executive Order.

I want to emphasize that we are ensuring enrichment programming is accessible on our website. Go to www.episcopalhomes.org and click “Resident Life” in the upper right corner of the page. Both my weekly video message and wellbeing program links will rotate under current announcements. Wellbeing programs can also be found at www.episcopalhomes.org/wellbeing. Both of these paths will bring you to our programming schedules and offerings, including information on internal TV and Zoom programming.

Vigilance with wearing a mask and physical distancing remains extremely vital. Until a vaccine is widely distributed, these are our strongest tools for remaining protected.

It is easy to know where we stand with Covid-19 by looking at our “COVID-19 Case Dashboard” on our Episcopal Homes website at www.episcopalhomes.org/covid-19. We will also continue to update you via our website, as well as through letters, phone calls and email messages. On Mondays and Thursdays, I also do an update on our Episcopal Homes’ Channel 3.1 at 2:00 PM, which is posted to our website and Facebook at the same time.

Please do not hesitate to contact the manager of your community if you have questions or concerns. Or you may contact me directly. We’re in this together.

Warmly,

Marvin Plakut, CEO
mplakut@episcopalhomes.org
651-632-8851

Updated 12/03/2020

Updates from November, 2020

Updated 11/30/2020


Updated 11/27/2020To: All Residents, Family Members, and Staff of Episcopal Homes

Subject: Weekly COVID-19 Update

Hoping your Thanksgiving was meaningful, even in light of major restrictions.

Presently we have three residents with Covid and six staff members. The residents originated at The Gardens, Episcopal Church Home (ECH), and Carty Heights. All are in our dedicated Covid unit at Episcopal Church Home. The staff are not scheduled to return to work until the virus is fully resolved.

Covid continues to be spreading rapidly throughout Minnesota. As I stated a week ago, Governor Walz’ new Executive Order required us to implement additional restrictions. We closed the Terrace Grill, Watters Pub, the movie theater, and all group exercises and other group events that were occurring in Otto Hall or elsewhere. One-on-one exercise is continuing with Anthony, one-on-one in the pool as well, and outdoor walking groups continue. Our Welcome Center salon is open, consistent with the Executive Order. This Executive Order is in place for another three weeks, unless extended by Governor Walz.

I want to emphasize that we are ensuring enrichment programming is accessible on our website. Go to www.episcopalhomes.org and click “Resident Life” in the upper right corner of the page. Both my weekly video message and wellbeing program links will rotate under current announcements. Wellbeing programs can also be found at www.episcopalhomes.org/wellbeing. Both of these paths will bring you to our programming schedules and offerings, including information on internal TV and Zoom programming.

Vigilance with wearing a mask and physical distancing remains extremely vital. Until a vaccine is widely distributed, these are our strongest tools for remaining protected.

It is easy to know where we stand with Covid-19 by looking at our “COVID-19 Case Dashboard” on our Episcopal Homes website at www.episcopalhomes.org/covid-19. We will also continue to update you via our website, as well as through letters, phone calls and email messages. On Mondays and Thursdays, I also do an update on our Episcopal Homes’ Channel 3.1 at 2:00 PM, which is posted to our website and Facebook at the same time.

Please do not hesitate to contact the manager of your community if you have questions or concerns. Or you may contact me directly. We’re in this together.

Warmly,

Marvin Plakut, CEO
mplakut@episcopalhomes.org
651-632-8851

Updated 11/23/2020

Updated 11/20/2020
To: All Residents, Family Members, and Staff of Episcopal Homes
Subject: Weekly COVID-19 Update

Be sure to read this letter carefully because of changes effective today.

Presently we have five residents with Covid and six staff members. The residents originated at The Gardens and Episcopal Church Home (ECH). Four of the residents are in our dedicated Covid unit at Episcopal Church Home and one is in the hospital. All six staff are from ECH or The Gardens, are home recovering and will return to work after the virus is fully resolved.

Governor Walz announced a new Executive Order Wednesday with additional restrictions effective midnight tonight. These changes are necessary because of the surging virus. Covid is currently worse in Minnesota than at any previous time. The lead article in today’s Star Tribune is titled: “A Raging Forest Fire of Virus Sweeps Minnesota.” The new Executive Order lasts four weeks, unless extended. For now, we will be closing the Terrace Grill, Watters Pub, our movie theater, pool, all group exercise and other group events that were occurring in Otto Hall or elsewhere. One-on-one exercise will continue with Anthony, as well as outdoor walking groups. Our Welcome Center salon will remain open, consistent with the Executive Order. Be watching for more information from the manager of your community and other key staff.

I want to emphasize that we are ensuring enrichment programming is accessible on our website. Go to www.episcopalhomes.org and click “Resident Life” in the upper right corner of the page. Both my weekly video message and wellbeing program links will rotate under current announcements. Wellbeing programs can also be found at www.episcopalhomes.org/wellbeing. Both of these paths will bring you to our programming schedules and offerings, including information on internal TV and Zoom programming.

At this time, visiting policies are not changing in our independent living communities and only “compassionate care” visits are occurring at ECH and The Gardens. Be watching for updates.

Vigilance with wearing a mask and physical distancing is more vital than ever right now. Protect yourself and everyone around you. And more than ever, I strongly encourage you to find ways to feed your soul. Fear is once again slowly gripping us. Reach out to someone to buoy their spirit. In doing so, it will buoy yours. It works every time.

Please do not hesitate to contact the manager of your community if you have questions or concerns. Or you may contact me directly. We’re in this together.

Warmly,

Marvin Plakut, CEO
mplakut@episcopalhomes.org
651-632-8851

Updated 11/19/2020


Updated 11/16/2020

Updated 11/13/2020
To: All Residents, Family Members, and Staff of Episcopal Homes
Subject: Weekly COVID-19 UpdatePresently we have five residents with Covid and nine staff. The residents originated at The Gardens and at Episcopal Church Home (ECH). Four of the residents are in our dedicated Covid unit at Episcopal Church Home and one is at another nursing home in the metro area. Of the nine staff, four worked at ECH and five at The Gardens. The staff are home recovering and will return to work after the virus is fully resolved.Only “compassionate care” visits are occurring presently at ECH and The Gardens. Visitation practices depend on Covid risk both within our individual communities and in Ramsey County. Be watching for updates on how indoor visits are being handled at any particular time.Over the last two weeks we have experienced a slow increase in cases while Minnesota is in the throes of major Covid spread at this time. 7,228 new cases were reported yesterday. That is an all-time high for Minnesota for new cases in one day, and it is nearly twice the rate from just one week ago. And Minnesota is surrounded by states that are experiencing even higher surges than we are. This dire situation emphasizes the importance of wearing masks, physical distancing, washing hands frequently, and isolating at home if one experiences symptoms. And all group gatherings are ill-advised, Thanksgiving included.

Covid is knocking at our door continually. Vigilance is vital. In the meantime, I strongly encourage you to find ways to feed your soul. Fear is once again slowly gripping us. Reach out to someone to buoy their spirit. In doing so, it will buoy yours. It works every time.

It is easy to know where we stand with Covid-19 by looking at our “COVID-19 Case Dashboard” on our Episcopal Homes website at www.episcopalhomes.org/covid-19. We will also continue to update you via our website, as well as through letters, phone calls and email messages. On Mondays and Thursdays, I also do an update on our Episcopal Homes’ Channel 3.1 at 2:00 PM, which is posted to our website and Facebook at the same time.

Please do not hesitate to contact the manager of your community if you have questions or concerns. Or you may contact me directly. We’re in this together.

Warmly,

Marvin Plakut, CEO
mplakut@episcopalhomes.org
651-632-8851

Updated 11/12/2020


Updated 11/09/2020

Updated 11/06/2020
To: All Residents, Family Members, and Staff of Episcopal Homes

Subject: Weekly COVID-19 Update

Presently we have two residents with Covid and two staff. The residents originated at The Gardens (Geneva House, 6th floor), and one has since been transferred to our dedicated Covid unit at Episcopal Church Home and the other is at another nursing home in the metro area. The two staff are home recovering and will not return to work until the virus is fully resolved.

Minnesota is in the throes of major Covid spread at this time. 3,956 new cases were reported yesterday. That is an all-time high for Minnesota for new cases in one day. And Minnesota is surrounded by states that are experiencing even higher surges than we are. This dire situation emphasizes the importance of diligently practicing the wearing of masks, physical distancing, washing hands frequently, and isolating at home if one experiences symptoms. Also, gathering in groups is ill-advised.

Covid is knocking at our door continually. We may well be tired of the virus and just want it over . . . but the virus is not tired of us. Vigilance continues to be the operative word. And in the meantime, I strongly encourage you to find ways to feed your soul. Reach out to someone to buoy their spirit. In doing so, it will buoy yours. It works every time.

Visitation practices depends on Covid risk both within our individual communities and in Ramsey County. Be watching for updates from each of our communities on how indoor visits are being handled at any particular time.

It is easy to know where we stand with Covid-19 by looking at our “COVID-19 Case Dashboard” on our Episcopal Homes website at www.episcopalhomes.org/covid-19. We will also continue to update you via our website, as well as through letters, phone calls and email messages. On Mondays and Thursdays, I also do an update on our Episcopal Homes’ Channel 3.1 at 2:00 PM, which is posted to our website and Facebook at the same time.

Please do not hesitate to contact the manager of your community if you have questions or concerns. Or you may contact me directly. We’re in this together.

Warmly,

Marvin Plakut, CEO
mplakut@episcopalhomes.org
651-632-8851

Updated 11/05/2020


Updated 11/02/2020

Updates from October, 2020

Updated 10/30/2020
To: All Residents, Family Members, and Staff of Episcopal Homes
Subject: Weekly COVID-19 Update
First, I am most pleased to inform you that US News & World Report just announced that The Gardens is among 21% of the nations’ skilled nursing facilities to achieve the highest possible rating of “High Performing.” The analysis and recognition includes comprehensive information about care, safety, health inspections, staffing and more for over 15,000 nursing homes in the US. We congratulate everyone at The Gardens!Presently we have one resident with Covid and two staff. The resident resides at The Gardens, and that resident is presently in the hospital. We are hopeful for their full recovery. With staff, one is from The Gardens and the other from Iris Park Commons (IPC). They are home recovering and will not return to work until the virus is fully resolved.

We are containing the virus nicely, and it is only with everyone’s help, with everyone’s cooperation, that this can be accomplished. At this time, since the one resident is in the hospital and the two staff are home recovering, we are 100% Covid-free throughout all 10 Episcopal Homes communities. Thank you so much for your diligence. Everyone doing their part really matters.

Minnesota and the entire Upper Midwest continue to experience Covid surges. This disconcerting trend emphasizes how important it is to diligently practice the wearing of masks, physical distancing, washing hands frequently, and isolating at home if one experiences symptoms. Also, gathering in groups is ill-advised.

Visitation practices depends on Covid risk both within our individual communities and in Ramsey County. Be watching for updates from each of our communities on how indoor visits are being handled at any particular time.

It is easy to know where we stand with Covid-19 by looking at our “COVID-19 Case Dashboard” on our Episcopal Homes website at www.episcopalhomes.org/covid-19. We will also continue to update you via our website, as well as through letters, phone calls and email messages. On Mondays and Thursdays, I also do an update on our Episcopal Homes’ Channel 3.1 at 1:45 PM, which is posted to our website and Facebook at the same time.

Please do not hesitate to contact the manager of your community if you have questions or concerns. Or you may contact me directly. We’re in this together.

Warmly,

Marvin Plakut, CEO
mplakut@episcopalhomes.org
651-632-8851

Updated 10/29/2020

Updated 10/26/2020

 

Updates from October 12 to 22, 2020

Updated 10/22/2020
To: All Residents, Family Members, and Staff of Episcopal HomesSubject: Weekly COVID-19 Update

I am very pleased to report progress. Presently we have only one resident with Covid and two staff. The resident remains in our dedicated Covid unit at Episcopal Church Home (ECH). For staff, one is from ECH and the other from Iris Park Commons (IPC). They are recovering and will not return to work until the virus is fully resolved and they are no longer contagious.

We are really pleased that all of the hundreds of tests conducted over the last 10 days at ECH, IPC, and The Gardens (residents and staff) have come back negative. The virus is presently being contained.

It is worth repeating that of our 10 Episcopal Homes’ communities, only one (ECH, mentioned above) has an active Covid case at this time. Nine of 10 communities are Covid-free. Thank you so much for your diligence! Everyone doing their part really matters.

Throughout these past seven days there have been multiple stories in the press in Minnesota about how the virus incidence rate is increasing at this time. The whole Upper Midwest is experiencing surges. This trend emphasizes how important it is to diligently practice what is in our control: wearing our masks, physical distancing, washing hands frequently, and staying home and isolating if experiencing any of the symptoms – followed by testing.

Visitation practices depends on Covid risk both within our individual communities and in Ramsey County. Be watching for updates from each of our communities on how indoor visits are being handled at any particular time.

It is easy to know where we stand with Covid-19 by looking at our “COVID-19 Case Dashboard” on our Episcopal Homes website at www.episcopalhomes.org/covid-19. We will also continue to update you via our website, as well as through letters, phone calls and email messages. On Mondays and Thursdays, I also do an update on our Episcopal Homes’ Channel 3.1 at 1:45 PM, which is posted to our website and Facebook at the same time.

Please do not hesitate to contact the manager of your community if you have questions or concerns. Or you may contact me directly. We’re in this together.

Warmly,

Marvin Plakut, CEO
mplakut@episcopalhomes.org
651-632-8851

Updated 10/22/2020


Updated 10/19/2020

Updated 10/16/2020
To: All Residents, Family Members, and Staff of Episcopal HomesSubject: Weekly COVID-19 UpdateLast week we had one positive resident Covid case and seven positive staff members. This week we have one positive resident and four staff members. The resident is from Episcopal Church Home. Two of the positive staff members work in the food service department at Iris Park Commons. One works at ECH and one works at the Gardens. Those staff are at home recovering and will not return to work until fully recovered and no longer contagious.We have received all of the results back from mass testing last week at Episcopal Church Home, Iris Park Commons, and The Gardens. No new covid cases were reported at IPC or the Gardens. One new staff member in ECH, mentioned above, tested positive this week. Four staff members also recovered over this week.Minnesota Department of Health released new guidance this week to complement recent federal guidance regarding allowing indoor visits in assisted living communities. We are anticipating additional guidance from the state health department next week also on indoor visitation in skilled nursing facilities.

Visitation depends on Covid risk both within our individual communities and in Ramsey County. If the county positivity rate is 10% or greater, indoor visits are suspended. For individual facilities, visitation is allowed when there have been no active covid cases in the facility in the past 14 days and no additional outbreak testing is occurring. Be watching for updates from each of our communities on how indoor visits will be handled.

It is easy to know where we stand with Covid-19 at any given time by looking at our “COVID-19 Case Dashboard” on our Episcopal Homes website at www.episcopalhomes.org/covid-19.

We will also continue to update you via our website, as well as through letters, phone calls and email messages. On Mondays and Thursdays, I also do an update on our Episcopal Homes’ Channel 3.1 at 1:45 PM, which is posted to our website and Facebook at this same time.

Please do not hesitate to contact the manager of your community if you have questions or concerns. Or you may contact me directly.

We’re in this together.
Warmly,

Marvin Plakut, CEO
mplakut@episcopalhomes.org
651-632-8851

Updated 10/15/2020


Updated 10/12/2020

Updates from October 1 to 9, 2020

Updated 10/09/2020
To: All Residents, Family Members, and Staff of Episcopal Homes
Subject: Weekly COVID-19 UpdateOver the past week a few more Covid cases have been identified. We have one resident at Episcopal Church Home that tested positive yesterday. She is from May House and has been transferred to our dedicated Covid unit. (All residents and staff from May House were promptly tested. We await results.) In addition, seven staff have Covid at this time. Three work at ECH, two in the food service department at Iris Park Commons, one at The Gardens, and one at Kinder Village. Those staff are at home recovering and will not return to work until fully recovered and no longer contagious. As a result of these eight total cases, mass testing is occurring at Episcopal Church Home, Iris Park Commons, and The Gardens. We will limit the spread as much as possible. Testing is vital. Compared to the last two outbreaks at Episcopal Homes, we are being more successful this time around.

The rate of Covid infections in Minnesota continues to be high, and the infection rate in all surrounding states is even higher than in Minnesota. MN Department of Health officials have traced many increases to schools opening up and large gatherings such as weddings, backyard barbeques, and other family get-togethers. Due to these societal events, which are largely out of our control, it remains vital that each one of us be vigilant with the important things we can control — physical distancing, wearing a mask, frequent hand washing, and self-isolation and getting tested if you experience any symptoms. These practices are very effective at limiting spread. Especially with cold weather just around the corner and more people staying indoors, these practices become increasingly important.

Remember to get a flu shot!

It is easy to know where we stand with Covid-19 at any given time by looking at our “COVID-19 Case Dashboard” on our Episcopal Homes website at www.episcopalhomes.org/covid-19.

We will also continue to update you via our website, as well as through letters, phone calls and email messages. On Mondays and Thursdays, I also do an update on our Episcopal Homes’ Channel 3.1 at 1:45 PM, which is posted to our website and Facebook at the same time.

Please do not hesitate to contact the manager of your community if you have questions or concerns. Or you may contact me directly. We’re in this together.

Warmly,

Marvin Plakut, CEO
mplakut@episcopalhomes.org
651-632-8851

Updated 10/09/2020
To All Iris Park Commons & Katy’s Cottage Staff, Residents, Families, Friends & Representatives:

As of today, we continue to have no confirmed COVID-19 cases of residents and continue to not have any suspected cases. However, we did receive word that two dietary aides that work in our Parkside dining room tested positive.

Any staff that have been in close contact with these staff are also quarantining at this point. We will also be testing all residents and staff today in accordance with the guidance from the MN Department of Health.

As an added precaution, we are temporarily suspending all visiting programs for the next two weeks while we continue testing. We understand that this creates an inconvenience and emotional difficulty for so many of our families and residents. We believe this decision will protect our community and create better outcomes.

I will continue to send updates on any other developments. For more up-to-date information you can continue to receive updates and additional changes through our website at www.episcopalhomes.org/covid-19. Remember that any previous messages or updates can be viewed on our website as well.

If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to reach out.

Thank you for the continued trust in us to care and protect your loved ones.

Sincerely,

Deborah Ashamu,
IPC Director
dashamu@episcopalhomes.org
651-209-8522

Updated 10/08/2020


Updated 10/05/2020

Updates from October 1-4, 2020

Updated 10/02/2020
To: All Residents, Family Members, and Staff of Episcopal HomesSubject: Weekly COVID-19 UpdateWe continue to have no residents infected with Covid at this time at Episcopal Homes. However, over the last seven days, four staff have tested positive. One works in Kinder Village (which was closed for two weeks as a result), two work at Episcopal Church Home, and one works at The Gardens on 5th floor, Matilda House. Those staff are at home recovering and will not return to work until fully recovered and no longer contagious. As required, rapid contact tracing occurs and testing continues at our two nursing homes weekly in order to stay on top of this challenge as best we can.

As you likely know, the rate of infections in Minnesota is increasing. MN Department of Health officials have traced many increases to schools opening up and large gatherings such as weddings, backyard barbeques, and other family get-togethers. Due to these societal events, which are largely out of our control, it remains vital that each one of us be vigilant with the important things we can control — physical distancing, wearing a mask, frequent hand washing, and self-isolation and getting tested if you experience any symptoms. These practices are very effective at limiting spread. Especially with cold weather just around the corner and more people staying indoors, these practices become increasingly important.

Remember to get a flu shot!

It is easy to know where we stand with Covid-19 at any given time by looking at our “COVID-19 Case Dashboard” on our Episcopal Homes website at www.episcopalhomes.org/covid-19.

We will also continue to update you via our website, as well as through letters, phone calls and email messages. On Mondays and Thursdays, I also do an update on our Episcopal Homes’ Channel 3.1 at 1:45 PM, which is posted to our website and Facebook at the same time.

Please do not hesitate to contact the manager of your community if you have questions or concerns. Or you may contact me directly.

We’re in this together.

Warmly,

Marvin Plakut, CEO
mplakut@episcopalhomes.org
651-632-8851

Updated 10/01/2020

Updates from September, 2020

Updated 9/28/2020


Updated 9/25/2020
To: All Residents, Family Members, and Staff of Episcopal Homes

Subject: Weekly COVID-19 Update

We have ZERO (0) cases! That is our status as of today. No Covid-19 cases anywhere at Episcopal Homes. No residents and no staff have it. All have recovered and no new cases have surfaced, even though we did abundant mass testing during this past week at Episcopal Church Home and The Gardens.

This is a moment to recognize. We are really pleased and deeply grateful.

Please remain vigilant with physical distancing, mask wearing and hand washing practices as our risk increases as the weather gets colder and young people return to school. And remember that if you experience any symptoms, self-isolate and get tested.

Remember to get a flu shot!

It is easy to know where we stand with Covid-19 at any given time by looking at our “COVID-19 Case Dashboard” on our Episcopal Homes website at www.episcopalhomes.org/covid-19.

We will also continue to update you via our website, as well as through letters, phone calls and email messages. On Mondays and Thursdays, I also do an update on our Episcopal Homes’ Channel 3.1 at 1:45 PM, which is posted to our website and Facebook at this same time.

Please do not hesitate to contact the manager of your community if you have questions or concerns. Or you may contact me directly.

We’re in this together.

Warmly,

Marvin Plakut, CEO
mplakut@episcopalhomes.org
651-632-8851

Updated 9/24/2020


Updated 9/21/2020

Updates from September 14-18, 2020

Updated 9/18/2020
To: All Residents, Family Members, and Staff of Episcopal Homes

Subject: Weekly COVID-19 Update

This week we have seen improvement and stabilization. A week ago, we had 11 active Covid cases and today we have eight. Three are residents at Episcopal Church Home and five are staff members who are home recovering and will not be scheduled until virus-free.

We continue to be very pleased that nine of our 10 communities remain Covid-free.

Mass testing occurred at Episcopal Church Home and The Gardens this week and all tests have come back negative except for three staff that this week tested positive and are home recovering. Mass testing is a vital tool that we have to quickly identify active cases and manage the health and recovery of our elders and staff. When we have new Covid cases, we follow protocols for contact tracing, as well as individual and mass testing, wherever appropriate. We follow all MDH guidelines.

Please remain vigilant with physical distancing, mask wearing and hand washing practices as our risk increases as the weather gets colder and young people return to school.

It is easy to know where we stand at any given time by looking at our “COVID-19 Case Dashboard” on our Episcopal Homes website at www.episcopalhomes.org/covid-19.

We will also continue to update you via our website, as well as through letters, phone calls and email messages. On Mondays and Thursdays, I also do an update on our Episcopal Homes’ Channel 3.1 at 1:45 PM, which is posted to our website and Facebook at this same time.

Please do not hesitate to contact the manager of your community if you have questions or concerns. Or you may contact me directly.

We’re in this together.

Warmly,

Marvin Plakut, CEO
mplakut@episcopalhomes.org
651-632-8851

Updated 9/17/2020


Updated 9/14/2020

Updates from September 3-11, 2020

Updated 9/11/2020
To: All Residents, Family Members, and Staff of Episcopal Homes

Subject: Weekly COVID-19 Update

This week we have seen substantial improvement once again and are hopeful that our recent surge is behind us. A week ago, we had 26 active Covid cases and today we have 11 active cases. Among the active cases this week, nine are residents of Episcopal Church Home who mostly reside in Sister Annette House or our designated Covid unit. Two are staff members who are home recovering and will not be scheduled until they are virus free. We are sad to report that two elders passed away this week due to Covid.

Mass testing will continue in our nursing homes next week as an important tool that we have to quickly identify active cases and manage the health and recovery of our elders and staff. When we have new Covid cases, we follow protocols for contact tracing, as well as individual and mass testing, wherever appropriate. We follow all MDH guidelines.

Please remain vigilant with social distancing, mask wearing and hand washing practices as our risk increases as the weather gets colder and young people return to school.

It is easy to know where we stand at any given time by looking at our “COVID-19 Case Dashboard” on our Episcopal Homes website at www.episcopalhomes.org/covid-19.

We will also continue to update you via our website, as well as through letters, phone calls and email messages. On Mondays and Thursdays, I also do an update on our Episcopal Homes’ Channel 3.1 at 1:45 PM, which is posted to our website and Facebook at this same time.

Please do not hesitate to contact the manager of your community if you have questions or concerns. Or you may contact me directly.We’re in this together!

Sincerely,
Marvin Plakut, CEO
mplakut@episcopalhomes.org
651-632-8851
Updated 9/10/2020

Updated 9/04/2020
To: All Residents, Family Members, and Staff of Episcopal Homes

Subject: Weekly COVID-19 Update

This week has seen substantial improvement. We are very pleased. A week ago we had 41 active Covid cases. Today we have 26, a decline of 15 cases. Over the last few days all tests have come back negative. And people are recovering. We are hopeful that the worst of this recent surge is behind us. Of the 26 active cases, 24 are residents at Episcopal Church Home (ECH) and two are staff. The ECH residents are either in our Sister Annette House or our dedicated Covid unit. The two staff are home recovering and will not be scheduled until they are free of the virus.This weekend is Labor Day weekend. That often means family gatherings. Yet, Governor Walz and MDH Commissioner Jan Malcolm said family and friend get-togethers like weddings and backyard barbecues have been key sources of Covid spread of recent. In public places in general the public has been cooperative with mask wearing and social distancing, but at family gatherings people have let down their guard. “We have to remain vigilant. We have got to stick with this,” said Walz. He was referring to social distancing and face coverings. Important advice. The more spread that occurs in society in general the more our Episcopal Homes residents and staff are vulnerable. Vigilance in all areas of our lives is key.Mass testing will continue next week at our two nursing homes.It is easy to know where we stand at any given time by looking at our “Covid-19 Case Dashboard” on our Episcopal Homes website at www.episcopalhomes.org/covid-19.When we have new COVID cases, we follow protocols for contact tracing, as well as individual and mass testing, where appropriate. We follow all MDH guidelines.
We will continue to update you via our website, as well as through letters, phone calls and email messages. And on Mondays and Thursdays, I do an update on our Episcopal Homes’ Channel 3.1 at 1:45 PM, which is posted to our website and Facebook at this same time.Please do not hesitate to contact the manager of your community if you have questions or concerns. Or you may contact me directly. We’re in this together.

Sincerely,

Marvin Plakut, CEO
mplakut@episcopalhomes.org
651-632-8851

Updated 9/03/2020

Updates from August, 2020

Updated 8/31/2020

Updated 8/28/2020
To: All Residents, Family Members, and Staff of Episcopal Homes

Subject: Weekly COVID-19 Update

This week continued to challenge us, but we are hopeful that we are turning the corner on this recent surge in cases of Covid-19. We currently have 41 active Covid cases. That is up from 31 cases one week ago. The most recent cases (five of them) were added two days ago. None were added today. We have 23 residents and 18 staff with the virus. Most of the residents are at Episcopal Church Home (ECH) where they are either in our Sister Annette House or our dedicated Covid unit. One is a resident at Carty Heights. The 18 staff are home recovering and will not be scheduled until they are free of the virus.

Because The Gardens continues to remain Covid-free, with ample testing, The Gardens will be loosening some of its visitor restrictions early next week. Be watching for an update from Keanan Franco. At ECH, we must continue our no-visitor policy until numbers substantially improve. Hopefully that day is not too far in the distance.

Mass testing will continue next week in order to do our best to contain the spread.

We continue to stress our infection control techniques and implore everyone to remain diligent with face-masking, social distancing, self-isolation if you feel any symptoms (followed by testing), and frequent hand-washing.

It is easy to know where we stand at any given time by looking at our “Covid-19 Case Dashboard” on our Episcopal Homes website at www.episcopalhomes.org/covid-19.

When we have new COVID cases, we follow protocols for contact tracing, as well as individual and mass testing, where appropriate. We follow all MDH guidelines.
We will continue to update you via our website, as well as through letters, phone calls and email messages. And on Mondays and Thursdays, I do an update on our Episcopal Homes’ Channel 3.1 at 1:45 PM, which is posted to our website and Facebook at this same time.
Please do not hesitate to contact the manager of your community if you have questions or concerns. Or you may contact me directly. We’re in this together.

Sincerely,
Marvin Plakut, CEO
mplakut@episcopalhomes.org
651-632-8851


To all Gardens Elders, Families, and Staff:

We are happy to share that our focused COVID-19 testing this week resulted in no new positive cases. As of today, the Gardens has no positive elders and no positive staff.

As a result of this successful testing, we will resume our Outdoor Visitation and Essential Caregiving programs starting next Tuesday, September 1st.

As a reminder, you can schedule outdoor visits by contacting Karren McRae at 651 272 4956 or kmcrae@episcopalhomes.org. If you are interested in becoming an Essential Caregiver or need to make changes to your existing schedule, please contact Laura Aldrich at 651 272 4957 or laldrich@episcopalhomes.org.

We are going to continue with testing on an ongoing basis and will keep you updated with any new findings. For the most up-to-date information visit our website at www.episcopalhomes.org/covid-19. Remember that any previous messages or updates can be viewed on our website as well.
Please do not hesitate to contact me with additional questions or concerns.

Sincerely,
Keanan Franco, Administrator
kfranco@episcopahomes.org
651 272 – 4963

Updated 8/27/2020


Updated 8/24/2020

Updated 8/21/2020
To: All Residents, Family Members, and Staff of Episcopal HomesSubject: Weekly COVID-19 Update

This has been a very sobering week for us. We currently have 31 active Covid cases. That is up from only nine cases one week ago. 17 are residents and 14 are staff. Most of the residents are at Episcopal Church Home (ECH) on the Sister Annette House or the portion of our TCU that is isolated as a Covid unit. One is a resident at Kings Crossing and one a resident at Carty Heights. The 14 staff are home recovering and will not be scheduled until they are free of the virus.

As a result of this surge, both Episcopal Church Home and The Gardens have gone back into “lock-down” status. This means that no visitors are allowed. If an ECH or Gardens resident is on hospice, with prior approval, family may visit. This will be the only exception until we recover from this surge. Iris Park Commons has also tightened its visitor policies temporarily.

Mass testing will continue next week in order to do our best to contain the spread.

We have been diligent with our infection control techniques, and still it spread. With society opening up more, and with people sometimes not following the rules closely, our vulnerability increases. I implore everyone to remain diligent with face-masking, social distancing, self-isolation if you feel any symptoms (followed by testing), and frequent hand-washing.

It is easy to know where we stand at any given time by looking at our “Covid-19 Case Dashboard” on our Episcopal Homes website at www.episcopalhomes.org/covid-19.

When we have new COVID cases, we follow protocols for contact tracing, as well as individual and mass testing, where appropriate. We follow all MDH and CDC guidelines.
We will continue to update you via our website, as well as through letters, phone calls and email messages. And on Mondays and Thursdays, I do an update on our Episcopal Homes’ Channel 3.1 at 1:45 PM, which is posted to our website and Facebook at this same time.
Please do not hesitate to contact the manager of your community if you have questions or concerns. Or you may contact me directly. We’re in this together.

Sincerely,

Marvin Plakut, CEO
mplakut@episcopalhomes.org
651-632-8851

Updated 8/20/2020


Updated 8/19/2020
To Iris Park Commons & Katy’s Cottage Families, Friends & Representatives:
As of today, we continue to have no confirmed COVID-19 cases. However, there has been a recent increase in cases in our care centers on campus. We continue to follow the guidance from the Minnesota Department of Health and review our current practices to make sure that we are taking every precaution to keep elders and staff safe.We will immediately require that all visitors going into resident apartments wear N95, KN95 or surgical mask to provide care for residents along with eye protection. We ask this to make sure that when caregivers cannot stay six feet apart that they are using proper personal protective equipment (PPE). Cloth masks will only be permitted for outside visits while maintaining six foot distance.

At this time as a precaution we will put on hold the essential care giving program until further notice. This means that only care related visits can happen indoors that are approved with IPC management and social visits will be suspended inside. Outdoor visits are still available and compassionate care visits on a case by case basis. We understand that this is difficult and that visits are crucial to the wellbeing of our elders. However, by taking this quick action we hope to prevent exposure to residents and avoid stopping all visits.

We will remain vigilant and monitor the situation to reassess if further changes are needed. Over the next few weeks I expect to give an update about when essential caregiving visits can resume.

Thank you for the continued trust in us to care and protect your loved ones.

Sincerely,

Deborah Ashamu,
IPC Director
dashamu@episcopalhomes.org
651-209-8522

Updated 8/17/2020

Updated 8/15/2020
To Our ECH Families:

Today we received results detecting 8 Episcopal Church Home residents positive for COVID-19. All 8 of these residents reside in our Sister Annette Household. I know this is very discouraging news for our residents, families, and staff. Based on these new results please review the following actions we are taking:

  • The Sister Annette Household has been fully isolated as a COVID unit with specifically assigned staff who will only work with these residents.
  • We will be testing all ECH staff and residents this week on Tuesday and Wednesday to determine if we have any other spread throughout the building. We generally receive these results back in 48-72 hours.
  • Effective immediately we will be canceling all outdoor, essential and compassionate care visits. We will revisit this restriction after we get our whole house test results back. We will consider hospice visits on a case by case basis, but I strongly encourage reconsidering your visits until we have test results back later this week.
  • We have removed all staff who directly cared for these positive residents from the schedule pending further testing.
  • We plan to do a second round of testing once our first round is complete.
  • Our infection control team is working through the weekend ensure all the necessary safety measures are in place for residents and staff. We continue to follow direction from the Minnesota Department of Health in the practices we use.

We will continue to be as vigilant as possible and will source trace our positive residents and staff. In Sister Annette all our residents tested negative on 7/31 and again 8/6 before this last round of testing on 8/13 gave us these 8 positives. This is why we find it necessary to restrict things as tightly as possible until more testing can occur. I will send out additional updates throughout the week as I have them to share.

As always thank you for your understanding and cooperation and we care for your loved ones.

Sincerely,

Melissa Schneider

Melissa Schneider

mschneider@episcopalhomes.org

651-209-8519

Updates from August 10-14, 2020

Updated 8/14/2020
To: All Residents, Family Members, and Staff of Episcopal Homes

Subject: Weekly COVID-19 Update

We currently have nine active Covid cases. One is a resident at Kings Crossing and eight are staff members. The three most recent cases have been staff that work at The Gardens. Between the three of them they cover all six floors. As a result, effective immediately, leadership at The Gardens has temporarily suspended all outdoor visits and essential caregiving visits until further notice. Additional testing throughout all of The Gardens must be conducted to ensure spread is not occurring in stealth manner. Compassionate care visits will need approval on a case-by-case basis. A letter to this effect has been distributed to all Gardens elders, families, and staff. This was a difficult decision. We know this causes hardship. Yet, it is vital that we make quick, calculated decisions in order to protect everyone.

It is easy to know where we stand at any given time by looking at our “Covid-19 Case Dashboard” on our Episcopal Homes website at www.episcopalhomes.org/covid-19.

When we have new COVID cases, we follow protocols for contact tracing, as well as individual and mass testing, where appropriate. We follow all MDH and CDC guidelines.

We will continue to update you via our website, as well as through letters, phone calls and email messages. And on Monday and Thursday I do a live update on our Episcopal Homes’ Channel 6.1 at 1:30 PM, which is posted to our website and Facebook shortly thereafter.

Please do not hesitate to contact the manager of your community if you have questions or concerns. Or you may contact me directly. We’re in this together.

Sincerely,

Marvin Plakut, CEO
mplakut@episcopalhomes.org
651-632-8851


To all Gardens Elders, Families, and Staff:

As of today, no elders are positive for COVID-19. However, we have seen an increase in both asymptomatic and symptomatic cases with staff. Currently, we have four active cases. Three of these cases have been discovered within the last four days.

Based on our investigation and contact tracing, we have no reason to believe these cases are related. Furthermore, we do not believe there is spread of the virus happening internally within our building.

The staff that have tested positive are doing well with either no symptoms or minor symptoms. These staff have had either direct, indirect, or brief contact with all six floors. As a result, we are temporarily suspending all outdoor visits and essential caregiving visits until further notice. We will continue to approve compassionate care visits on a case by case basis. This was not an easy decision as I understand the level of emotional hardship and inconvenience this creates for you. While difficult, it is important that we make quick, calculated decisions in order to protect our elders, staff, and their respective families. I expect to give an update in regard to the resumption of these visits at the end of next week.

Our current comprehensive testing plan has helped us discover positive staff before they have developed symptoms. While it is unfortunate that we continue to have positive staff, we are reminded that our testing plan continues to be effective in detecting the virus early on. Our team will continue reviewing our plan to ensure it is detailed enough to continue preventing, limiting, and isolating the spread of the virus.

We will continue to follow the guidance from the MN Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control. Our team will review our current practices to ensure we are doing everything we can to keep our elders and staff safe. We will stay committed to the ongoing review of our training and education plan to ensure our staff are capable of following the best infection control practices and will practice safe physical distancing both at work and outside of work. Our dedication to the well-being and safety of our staff and elders will remain strong.

I intend to continue sending you updates periodically with major developments. For more up-to-date information you can continue to receive updates and additional changes through our website at www.episcopalhomes.org/covid-19. Remember that any previous messages or updates can be viewed on our website as well.

Please do not hesitate to contact me with additional questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Keanan Franco, Administrator
kfranco@episcopahomes.org
(651) 272 – 4963

Updated 8/13/2020


Updated 8/10/2020

Please note, we are adjusting the frequency of these messages. Video updates from Marvin will now be done every Monday and Thursday, in addition to our weekly written memo being sent out on Fridays (and updated on this webpage).

Updates from August 4-7, 2020

Updated 8/07/2020


August 7, 2020

To: All Residents, Family Members, and Staff of Episcopal Homes

Subject: Weekly COVID-19 Update

We currently have seven active Covid-19 cases. One is a resident at Kings Crossing and six are staff members, including three at Episcopal Church Home, two in the Gardens and one in Kinder Village. It is easy to know where we stand at any given time by looking at our “Covid-19 Case Dashboard” on our Episcopal Homes website at www.episcopalhomes.org/covid-19.

When we have new COVID cases, we follow protocols for contact tracing, as well as individual and mass testing, where appropriate. This week, residents and staff in The Gardens participated in testing and all of Sister Annette House at Episcopal Church Home was retested. We are awaiting results on 60 outstanding tests, which are expected back early next week.

Episcopal Homes works hard to promote connectedness and engagement as we honor connection as essential to health and wellbeing. We have provided opportunities for outdoor visits among residents and their loved ones since late June. Starting this week, we also added a new program that provides for indoor visits for very specific reasons under new “Essential Caregiver” guidance provided by the Minnesota Department of Health. Detailed information on visits at Episcopal Homes can be found on our website at https://episcopalhomes.org/covid-visits/.

We will continue to update you via our website, as well as through letters, phone calls and email messages. Also, I continue to do a daily live update on our Episcopal Homes’ Channel 6.1 at 1:30 PM, which is posted to our website and Facebook shortly thereafter.

Please do not hesitate to contact the manager of your community if you have questions or concerns. Or you may contact me directly. We’re in this together.

Sincerely,

Marvin Plakut, CEO
mplakut@episcopalhomes.org
651-632-8851

Updated 8/07/2020


Updated 8/06/2020

Updated 8/05/2020

Updated 8/04/2020

Updated 8/03/2020

Updates from July, 2020

Updated 7/31/2020

To: All Residents, Family Members, and Staff of Episcopal Homes

Subject: Weekly COVID-19 Update

We currently have four active Covid-19 cases, one is a resident at Kings Crossing and three are staff. It is easy to know where we stand at any given time by looking at our “Covid-19 Case Dashboard” on our Episcopal Homes website.

Earlier this week 80 residents and staff were tested at The Gardens, floors 4 & 5. All test results have come back and all tested negative.

Also earlier this week, one staff person tested positive who works in the Sister Annette House at Episcopal Church Home. Therefore, today all residents and staff from Sister Annette House are being tested and results will likely come in over the weekend or on Monday.

A week ago, Governor Walz issued a facemask mandate for all of Minnesota in regard to indoor spaces. As you know, we have had that requirement in place at Episcopal Homes since March. Nevertheless, we are glad it is now a requirement throughout the State of Minnesota because indirectly it benefits all of us when virus spread is reduced as a result of this precaution. We all need to do our part, where we work, live, pray, and play. Social distancing and wearing a facemask makes a real difference. Thank you for being vigilant.

We will continue to update you via our website (www.episcopalhomes.org/covid-19) or through letters, phone calls, or email messages. Also, I continue to do a daily live update on our Episcopal Homes Channel 6.1 at 1:30 PM, which is posted to our website and Facebook shortly thereafter.

Please do not hesitate to contact the manager of your community if you have questions or concerns. Or you may contact me directly. We’re in this together.

Sincerely,

Marvin Plakut, CEO
mplakut@episcopalhomes.org
651-632-8851

Updated 7/30/2020


Updated 7/29/2020

Updated 7/28/2020

Updated 7/27/2020

Updates from July 20 – 24, 2020

Updated 7/24/2020
https://youtu.be/8oNQnW3pDKATo: All Residents, Family Members, and Staff of Episcopal HomesSubject: Weekly COVID-19 Update

We currently have four active Covid-19 cases, one is a resident at Kings Crossing and three are staff. It is easy to know where we stand at any given time by looking at our “Covid-19 Case Dashboard” on our Episcopal Homes website.

Since we have no residents with Covid on our main campus at this time, we have deactivated our Covid unit at Episcopal Church Home. We will set it up again if one of our campus residents needs it at some point in the future.

Very soon you will be receiving instructions on visiting residents inside the facilities of Episcopal Church Home, The Gardens, or Iris Park Commons, under carefully prescribed conditions. Be sure to read the information carefully.

Governor Walz issued a facemask mandate for all of Minnesota in regard to indoor spaces. As you know, we have had that requirement in place at Episcopal Homes since March. Nevertheless, we are glad it is now a requirement throughout the State of Minnesota because indirectly it benefits all of us when virus spread is reduced as a result of this precaution. We all need to do our part, where we work, live, pray, and play. Social distancing and wearing a facemask makes a real difference. Thank you for being vigilant.

We will continue to update you via our website (www.episcopalhomes.org/covid-19) or through letters, phone calls, or email messages. Also, I continue to do a daily live update on our Episcopal Homes Channel 6.1 at 1:30 PM, which is posted to our website and Facebook shortly thereafter.

Please do not hesitate to contact the manager of your community if you have questions or concerns. Or you may contact me directly. We’re in this together.

Sincerely,

Marvin Plakut, CEO
mplakut@episcopalhomes.org
651-632-8851


To Iris Park Commons & Katy’s Cottage Families, Friends and Representatives:
Recently the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) released guidance allowing essential caregivers to visit residents inside Iris Park Commons & Katy’s Cottage. In addition to the outdoor visitation, we are adding a new program which would allow indoor visitation for very specific reasons. An essential caregiver is defined as a visitor who had provided either regular assistance with activities of daily living or emotional support to the resident prior to the COVID-19 visitor restrictions who the facility deems vital to the resident’s cares.
We encourage you to read the MDH guidance on Essential Caregivers to fully understand the guidance we are required to follow by the State of Minnesota and ensure we are protecting the health and safety of all who live and work here. Below are some of the criteria we will use as we evaluate and designate Essential Caregivers in our settings:

  • Essential Caregivers will be determined based on consultation/assessment with our facility Administrator, Director of Nursing, Nurse Manager and Social Worker.
  • Facility leadership would need to determine that there are essential tasks that cannot be met with an outdoor visit that would qualify an individual need to meet indoors.
  • Residents will be consulted about their wishes to help determine whom to designate as an Essential Caregiver.
  • Essential Caregivers can be family members, outside caregivers, friends or volunteers who provided regular care and emotional support to the resident prior to the pandemic.
  • Essential Caregivers may provide support up to three hours per day or until caregiving tasks are completed.
  • Essential Caregivers will be actively screened for symptoms of COVID-19 prior to entering the building and must wear all necessary personal protective equipment while in the building. They must also perform frequent hand hygiene and maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet with staff and other residents while in our building.
  • Essential Caregivers will limit their movement in our building, providing care and support in their loved ones’ room or a designated space in our building.
  • Essential Caregivers must inform us if they develop a fever or symptoms consistent with COVID-19 within 14 days of a visit to a resident.

Realizing both the potential benefits and risks of allowing additional essential caregivers into the building, we will carefully consider the current status of COVID-19 in our setting and local communities prior to designating Essential Caregivers and as we monitor the program.

Individuals that are interested in being designated as an Essential Caregiver, please contact the IPC Director to be added to the list. We will review each request to determine whether it meets the criteria of the state and meets the resident’s service plan before any individual can begin serving as an Essential Caregiver.

We know that you share our concerns about efforts to keep residents in our community safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. While we welcome this opportunity to make necessary exceptions to the visitor restrictions, we must all continue to be vigilant. If, at any time, it is deemed unsafe for Essential Caregivers to enter the building—due to a rise in the number of cases in our community, either within our walls or in the broader community—it is our obligation per MDH guidelines to revisit and reassess the program.

As a reminder, we also have a compassionate care visitation policy which is separate from the essential caregiver policy and allows indoor visits in end of life and significant change situations for our residents.

Sincerely,
Deborah Ashamu
IPC Director
651-209-8522


Dear Episcopal Church Home families,

I have two important policy changes that I would like to give you an update about. The first relates to a change in our process for our outdoor visits and the second is information about a new visitation option that would allow us to approve indoor visits to family members who meet specific criteria and could be defined as an “essential caregiver”.

For our outdoor visits, I am very pleased to share that we have consulted with the Minnesota Department of Health and they have approved our internal King courtyard as an appropriate outdoor space for families to meet with their loved ones. With this change we will be able to use our normal 1879 Feronia front entry for the visitor sign in and symptom screen at our reception desk. As you may be aware our reception team is staffed from 8:00am-8:00pm daily so this change will allow us to significantly increase the appointments available to our families for outdoor visits, especially evening and weekend appointments. This change will go into effect Monday, August 3rd. For appointments scheduled between now and August 3rd we will continue to use the Meditation Gardens off of our University Avenue entry. The process for booking appointments will remain the same. If you would like to call to book an appointment vs. scheduling online you can also do so as well. We strongly encourage the utilization of our outdoor visits as the safest option for visitation for both you and your loved one.

In addition to the outdoor visitation, we are adding a new program which would allow indoor visitation for very specific reasons under new “essential caregiver” guidance provided by the Minnesota Department of Health. An essential caregiver is defined as a visitor who had provided either regular assistance with activities of daily living or emotional support to the resident prior to the COVID-19 visitor restrictions who the facility deems vital to the resident’s cares.

We encourage you to read the MDH guidance on Essential Caregivers to fully understand the guidance we are required to follow by the State of Minnesota and ensure we are protecting the health and safety of all who live and work here. Below are some of the criteria we will use as we evaluate and designate Essential Caregivers in our settings:

· Essential Caregivers will be determined based on consultation/assessment with our facility Administrator, Director of Nursing, Nurse Manager and Social Worker.
· Facility leadership would need to determine that there are essential tasks that cannot be met with an outdoor visit that would qualify an individual need to meet indoors.
· Residents will be consulted about their wishes to help determine whom to designate as an Essential Caregiver.
· Essential Caregivers can be family members, outside caregivers, friends or volunteers who provided regular care and emotional support to the resident prior to the pandemic.
· Essential Caregivers may provide support up to three hours per day or until care giving tasks are completed.
· Essential Caregivers will be actively screened for symptoms of COVID-19 prior to entering the building and must wear all necessary personal protective equipment while in the building. They must also perform frequent hand hygiene and maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet with staff and other residents while in our building.
· Essential Caregivers will limit their movement in our building, providing care and support in their loved ones’ room or a designated space in our building.
· Essential Caregivers must inform us if they develop a fever or symptoms consistent with COVID-19 within 14 days of a visit to a resident.

Realizing both the potential benefits and risks of allowing additional essential caregivers into the building, we will carefully consider the current status of COVID-19 in our setting and local communities prior to designating Essential Caregivers and as we monitor the program.
If you are interested in being designated as an Essential Caregiver, please contact the Social Worker assigned to your loved one.

King and Cooke House
Carrie Smida – 651-632-8820

May, Gilbert, and Sister Annette
Mariah Eriksen – 651-632-8843

Isabella House
Katie Bencken – 651-272-4980

We will review each request to determine whether it meets the criteria of the state and meetings the resident’s care plan before any individual can begin serving as an Essential Caregiver.
We know that you share our concerns about efforts to keep residents in our community safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. While we welcome this opportunity to make necessary exceptions to the visitor restrictions, we must all continue to be vigilant. If, at any time, it is deemed unsafe for Essential Caregivers to enter the building—due to a rise in the number of cases in our community, either within our walls or in the broader community—it is our obligation per MDH guidelines to revisit and reassess the program.

As a reminder, we also have a compassionate care visitation policy which is separate from the essential caregiver policy and allows indoor visits in end of life and significant change situations for our residents.

Sincerely,

Melissa Schneider
Administrator
mschneider@episcopalhomes.org
651-209-8519


Families and Friends of The Gardens,

I have an important policy change that I would like to share with you. It relates to a change in our new visitation option that would allow us to approve indoor visits for family members who meet specific criteria and could be defined as an “Essential Caregiver”.

We are adding a new program which would allow indoor visitation for very specific reasons under new “Essential Caregiver” guidance provided by the Minnesota Department of Health. An essential caregiver is defined as a visitor who had provided either regular assistance with activities of daily liying or emotional support to the resident prior to the COVID-19 visitor restrictions. The Essential Caregiver must also be deemed by the facility to be vital to the resident’s cares.

We encourage you to read the MDH guidance on Essential Caregivers to fully understan the details of this program that have been given to us by the Minnesota Department of Health. We are ‘required to follow specific guidelines to ensure we are protecting the health and safety of all who live and work here. Below are examples of the criteria we will use to evaluate and designate Essential Caregivers in our settings:

• Essential Caregivers will be determined based on consultation/assessment with our facility Administrator, Director of Nursing, Nurse Manager and Social Worker.
• Facility leadership would need to determine that there are essential tasks that cannot be met with an outdoor visit that would qualify an individual to meet indoors.
• Residents will be consulted about their wishes to help determine whom to designate as an Essential Caregiver.
• Essential Caregivers can be family members, outside caregivers, friends or volunteers who provided regular care and emotional support to the resident prior to the pandemic.
• Essential Caregivers may provide support up to three hours per day or until caregiving tasks are completed.
• Essential Caregivers will be actively screened for symptoms.of COVID-19 prior to entering the building and must wear all necessary personal protective equipment while in the building. They must also perform frequent hand hygiene and maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet with staff and other residents while in our building.
• Essential Caregivers will limit their movement in our building, providing care and support in their loved ones’ room or a designated space in our building.
• Essential Caregivers must inform us if they develop a fever or symptoms consistent with COVID-19 within 14 days of a visit to a resident.

We know that you share our concerns about efforts to keep residents in our community safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. While we welcome this opportunity to make necessary exceptions to the visitor restrictions, we must all continue to be vigilant. We will carefully consider the current status of COVID- 19 in our setting and local communities prior to designating Essential Caregivers and as we monitor the program. It may be possible that changes or suspension of the program may occur depending on what the COVID-19 situation is within the building. If this is necessary, additional communication will be sent.

If you are interested in being designated as an Essential Caregiver, please contact Laura Aldrich, Social Worker at (651) 272 – 4957. We will review each request to determine whether it meets the criteria given to us by the Minnesota Department of Health and the resident’s care plan before approving a visit to be conducted with the Essential Caregiver.
As a reminder, we also have a compassionate care visitation policy which is separate from the essential caregiver policy and allows indoor visits in end of life and significant change situations for our residents.

Sincerely,
Keanan Franco
Administrator
kfranco@episcopalhomes.org
651-272-4963

Updated 7/23/2020


Updated 7/22/2020

Updated 7/21/2020

Updated 7/20/2020

Updates from July 13 – 17, 2020

Updated 7/17/2020


To: All Residents, Family Members, and Staff of Episcopal Homes
Subject: Weekly COVID-19 Update

This week, we currently have five active Covid-19 cases, one is a resident and four are staff. It is easy to know where we stand at any given time by looking at our “Covid-19 Case Dashboard” on our Episcopal Homes website.

Last week we completed testing on the 6th and 7th floor of The Gardens. All of the resident tests came back negative. One staff member tested positive, and we still have two staff tests pending results.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is now allowing essential caregiver visits inside skilled nursing and assisted living facilities. Be looking for communication from individual communities in the coming days around how each community is handling these new guidelines.

It remains vital for all of us to remember the importance of social distancing and wearing face masks. The experts say that this really makes a difference. This practice applies to all aspects of our lives . . . where we work, live, pray, and play. We protect ourselves and one another when we employ these key action steps. Our community needs you, needs us . . . all of us to work together to keep one another safe.

We will continue to update you via our website (www.episcopalhomes.org/covid-19) or through letters, phone calls, or email messages. Also, I continue to do a daily live update on our Episcopal Homes Channel 6.1 at 1:30 PM, which is posted to our website and Facebook shortly thereafter.

Please do not hesitate to contact the manager of your community if you have questions or concerns. Or you may contact me directly. We’re in this together.

Sincerely,
Marvin Plakut
Updated 7/16/2020


Updated 7/15/2020

Updated 7/14/2020

Updated 7/13/2020

Updates from July 1 – 10, 2020

Updated 7/10/2020


To: All Residents, Family Members, and Staff of Episcopal Homes

Subject: Weekly COVID-19 Update

Like last week, we currently have four active Covid-19 cases, one is a resident and three are staff. It is easy to know where we stand at any given time by looking at our “Covid-19 Case Dashboard” on our Episcopal Homes website.

All of the tests administered last week at The Gardens came back negative. We are delighted. This week we completed another round of testing on the 6th and 7th floor of The Gardens. The results are not yet back. I will update you next week.

Just a reminder that the Minnesota Department of Health is now allowing visits at nursing homes and assisted living facilities under carefully prescribed conditions. Each facility is handling it in unique ways. If you have not yet read instructions from Episcopal Church Home, The Gardens or Iris Park Commons, be sure to do so or reach out to the staff at those communities if you wish to visit someone there.

It remains vital for all of us to remember the importance of social distancing and wearing face masks. The experts say that this really makes a difference. This practice applies to all aspects of our lives . . . where we work, live, pray, and play. We protect ourselves and one another when we employ these key action steps. Our community needs you, needs us . . . all of us to work together to keep one another safe.

We will continue to update you via our website (www.episcopalhomes.org/covid-19) or through letters, phone calls, or email messages. Also, I continue to do a daily live update on our Episcopal Homes Channel 6.1 at 1:30 PM, which is posted to our website and Facebook shortly thereafter.

Please do not hesitate to contact the manager of your community if you have questions or concerns. Or you may contact me directly. We’re in this together.

Sincerely,

Marvin Plakut, CEO
mplakut@episcopalhomes.org
651-632-8851

Updated 7/09/2020


Updated 7/08/2020

Updated 7/07/2020

Updated 7/06/2020

Updated 7/02/2020

To: All Residents, Family Members, and Staff of Episcopal Homes

Subject: Weekly COVID-19 Update

Like last week, we currently have four active Covid-19 cases, one is a resident and three are staff. It is easy to know where we stand at any given time by looking at our “Covid-19 Case Dashboard” on our Episcopal Homes website.

A second round of tests at The Gardens occurred this week. Most of those results are back and all are negative so far. We are very pleased. We will continue to keep you informed.

Just a reminder that the Minnesota Department of Health is now allowing visits at nursing homes and assisted living facilities under carefully prescribed conditions. Each facility is handling it in unique ways. If you have not yet read instructions from Episcopal Church Home, The Gardens or Iris Park Commons, be sure to do so or reach out to the staff at those communities if you wish to visit someone there.

With Independence Day weekend upon us, it is vital for all of us to remember the importance of social distancing and wearing face masks. The experts say that this really makes a difference. This practice applies to all aspects of our lives . . . where we work, live, pray, and play. We protect ourselves and one another when we employ these key action steps. Our community needs you, needs us . . . all of us to work together to keep one another safe.

We will continue to update you via our website (www.episcopalhomes.org/covid-19) or through letters, phone calls, or email messages. Also, I continue to do a daily live update on our Episcopal Homes Channel 6.1 at 1:30 PM, which is posted to our website and Facebook shortly thereafter.

Please do not hesitate to contact the manager of your community if you have questions or concerns. Or you may contact me directly. We’re in this together.

Sincerely,

Marvin Plakut, CEO
mplakut@episcopalhomes.org
651-632-8851

Updated 7/01/2020


Updates from June, 2020

Updated 6/30/2020


Updated 6/29/2020

Updated 6/26/2020

To: All Residents, Family Members, and Staff of Episcopal Homes

Subject: Weekly COVID-19 Update

Last week we had six active cases of COVID-19 at Episcopal Homes, two residents and four staff. I am pleased to report that throughout the week we had no deaths from Covid and we had some recoveries. As a result, I am pleased to report that we currently have four active Covid cases, two are residents and two are staff.

Testing took place at The Gardens this past Tuesday and Wednesday. 179 tests were administered and we have received 101 results. One staff person tested positive and all of the remaining 100 test results were negative. (Those are very good and encouraging numbers.) We expect to receive the remaining 78 test results within the next 24 hours. The staff person that tested positive worked at Geneva House. That staff member is presently in quarantine and will not return to work until they have fully recovered and been cleared to return.

All residents and staff at The Gardens will be re-tested this upcoming Tuesday and Wednesday, June 30 & July 1.

Just a reminder that the Minnesota Department of Health is now allowing visits at nursing homes and assisted living facilities under carefully prescribed conditions. Each facility is handling it in unique ways. If you have not yet read instructions from Episcopal Church Home or The Gardens or Iris Park Commons, be sure to do so or reach out to the staff at those communities if you wish to visit someone there.

When you go to our website, you will now notice a “Covid-19 Case Dashboard.” You will find this tool helpful. Since the beginning of Covid we have worked hard to be entirely transparent with everyone. This dashboard is one more tool we are using to this end. Accurate and timely information is vital, especially now. It helps keep all of us informed and safe.

We will continue to update you via our website (www.episcopalhomes.org/covid-19) or through letters, phone calls, or email messages. Also, I continue to do a daily live update on our Episcopal Homes’ Channel 6.1 at 1:30 PM, which is posted to our website and Facebook shortly thereafter.

Please do not hesitate to contact the manager of your community if you have questions or concerns. Or you may contact me directly. We’re in this together.

Sincerely,

Marvin Plakut, CEO
mplakut@episcopalhomes.org
651-632-8851

Updated 6/25/2020

Dear Families and Friends of The Gardens,

We are pleased to inform you that we received guidance from the Minnesota Department of Health on allowing outdoor visits.

The Gardens will start allowing outdoor visitation with your loved ones beginning next week on Monday June 29th. While we are very excited to make this happen, we must also follow the strict guidance given to us by the MN Department of Health. This guidance applies to how we schedule and conduct these visits, so it is very important you understand the protocols and are committed to upholding them prior to scheduling your visit.
The guidance requires us to be available to assist the elder and visitor during all visits. To meet this requirement, all visits must be scheduled ahead of time. No visits will be allowed unless they have been scheduled in advance. Visits can be scheduled in advance by contacting our Life Enrichment Director, Karren McRae, via phone (651) 272 – 4956 or email at Kmcrae@episcopalhomes.org. Also, if you can no longer make a scheduled visit, please notify Karren as soon as possible, as this may open time for a different visitation to be scheduled.

  • Please note the following important information for outdoor visitation:
  • All visitors will enter via the main Welcome Center entrance, 1860 University Ave W Saint Paul MN 55104
  • Visitors will be screened for signs and symptoms of respiratory infection and will have their temperatures taken prior to meeting with the resident
  • Visits will occur in the main courtyard by going through the bistro and out to the main courtyard
  • The elder will be brought to the courtyard via facility staff. Visitors are only allowed to go directly to the courtyard. Visitors are not permitted to go to any floor of The Gardens unless specifically permitted by facility management
  • The courtyard will have tables and chairs that can be used by elders and their families and friends
  • Visitors and elders must wear a facemask or facial covering during the entirety of the visit and practice social distancing by remaining at least 6 feet apart
  • To continue protecting yourselves and the elders from potential transmission, we ask that you avoid hugs, handshakes, handholding, and/or any other physical contact
  • Up to 5 visitors will be allowed per visit
  • Visits will be scheduled for 30 minutes in length and cannot run concurrently
  • To keep our visitation schedule as open as we can for all potential visitors, we will only schedule one visit per time and visits cannot be scheduled concurrently or on a recurring basis
  • Although we hope not to encounter this, visits can be cancelled or rescheduled by facility staff at any time. Possible reasons for this might be due to unsafe weather or a sudden change in health status of our elders or staff
  • If weather is non-permitting, visits must be cancelled or rescheduled to a different time. No visits will be permitted indoors
  • For more specifics on what to expect, see the Frequently Asked Questions attachment below

Your patience, support, and understanding is highly appreciated as we work to ensure a safe and efficient process for scheduling and conducting visits. The outpouring of trust and support you have given to our team has been vital in keeping us driven to ensuring the safety of our elders and staff. We are committed to making things go as smoothly as possible for you and our elders. We will update you with any new developments as it relates to COVID-19, visitation, or other important topics.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me with questions.

Keanan Franco, Administrator
Kfranco@episcopalhomes.org
(651) 272 – 4963


COVID-19 OUTDOOR VISITATION: FAQ
What kind of visitation is currently being allowed?
Outdoor visitation will be permitted at The Gardens beginning Monday, June 29th. We also continue to allow visits that take place using alternative methods of communication, such as telephone and video communication. No indoor visits are allowed at this time.

Will there be scheduled hours for the outdoor visitation?
Yes, appointments must be booked through the Life Enrichment Department. In general, visits will be allowed weekdays during normal business hours and may be extended into some evenings. We intend to expand our visitation hours and will send additional communication to you when this becomes possible.

Will there ever be a circumstance where an outdoor visit is denied?
Long-term care providers retain the right to deny outdoor visits based on a resident or visitor not complying with infection control guidance or if the resident or visitor is at risk of abuse or harm. Outdoor visits may also be denied due to inclement weather or change in health status of elders or staff.

What can I expect when I arrive for my visit?
You will be screened for symptoms per our screening protocols that are used for all staff and essential heath care personnel and asked to use alcohol-rub sanitizer before your visit. You will be asked to review the restrictions and instructions for the outdoor visit, which include use of facemasks, social distancing and limiting your movement within our setting. You will be asked to sign a form acknowledging the requirements and your agreement to comply with them.

Must I wear a mask for these visits, even though they are outdoors with social distancing?
Yes, a face mask or other facial covering must be worn during the entire visitation unless it is not medically possible.

Is the visitation open for all ages?
Yes. Adults who bring visitors under the age of 12 must maintain control of the underage visitor and must ensure compliance with social distancing and infection control requirements.

Are pets allowed?
Yes. Pets must be under the control of the visitor bringing them in.

Is there any other type of visitation allowed now?
Telephone and video communication will continue as before, although may be more limited due to increase demand in outdoor visits. No indoor visitation is allowed.

Updated 6/24/2020


Updated 6/23/2020

Updated 6/22/2020

All Iris Park Commons & Katy’s Cottage Families, Representatives and Friends,

We will continue to follow the visitor restriction guidelines provided by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) for long-term care facilities. At this time we continue to restrict residents going out into the community except for doctor appointments or for medical reasons. We have not received additional guidance on indoor visits and will continue to only allow essential visitors and end-of-life circumstances.

MDH has recently provided long-term care facilities with guidelines for outside visiting. Previously we were only able to allow outside visits to residents that could independently go outside. Under these new guidelines you will be able to now schedule visits outside with residents that require additional staff support to go outside. These visits will be scheduled through Home Care services so that a staff member will be present with the resident while providing privacy for conversations.

The resident will have a face mask on, and we ask that all family members visiting outside are now screened at the IPC front desk and wearing masks prior to the scheduled visit. You will be able to visit outside while maintaining a 6ft distance. Families will be able to start scheduling visits starting Wednesday, June 24th. Please provide Home Care services with notice at least 24 hours before your scheduled date to ensure that staff is available at the scheduled time.

Please if you have any further questions call 651-209-8522.
Deborah Ashamu,
Director, Iris Park Commons

Updated 6/19/2020


To: All Residents, Family Members, and Staff of Episcopal HomesSubject: Weekly COVID-19 Update

Last week we had 17 active cases of COVID-19 at Episcopal Homes, including nine residents and 8 staff members. Since my report on June 12, we had one more death at Episcopal Church Home, for a total of four deaths, due to Covid-19. We are saddened by this reality.

I am very pleased to report that throughout the week we had several residents and staff become Covid-free! They are fully back to normal, the residents back to their regular rooms and the staff back to their scheduled positions. As a result, I am most pleased to report that we currently have six active Covid cases, two are residents and four are staff.

Testing will occur at The Gardens on Tuesday and Wednesday of next week, June 23 & 24. All residents and staff at The Gardens will be tested, even if they were recently tested.

The Minnesota Department of Health just came out with strict guidelines whereby residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities may receive visitors. Be watching for separate written communication from Episcopal Church Home, The Gardens, and Iris Park Commons. These documents will outline specific requirements and guidelines and the timing of this practice change. We are delighted that visiting has become possible once again, as we are well aware of how difficult the isolation has been on everyone.

When you go to our website, you will now notice a “Covid-19 Case Dashboard.” You will find this tool helpful. Since the beginning of Covid we have worked hard to be entirely transparent with everyone. This dashboard is one more tool we are using to this end. Accurate and timely information is vital, especially now. It helps keep all of us informed and safe.

We will continue to update you via our website (www.episcopalhomes.org/covid-19) or through letters, phone calls, or email messages. Also, I continue to do a daily live update on our Episcopal Homes’ Channel 6.1 at 1:30 PM, which is posted to our website and Facebook shortly thereafter.

Today is Juneteenth Day, a day of celebration marking the abolition of slavery in the US. George Floyd’s death rocked the world. The world is still rocking. We all must do our part to rid our society of systemic racism, and at Episcopal Homes we commit to that promise.
Please do not hesitate to contact the manager of your community if you have questions or concerns. Or you may contact me directly. We’re in this together.

Sincerely,
Marvin Plakut, CEO
mplakut@episcopalhomes.org
651-632-8851


Dear Episcopal Church Home Families:

This week we received guidance from the Minnesota Department of Health on two major topics – outdoor visits and beauty shop appointments.

I am excited to share Episcopal Church Home will begin offering options for outdoor visitation with your loved ones beginning next week on Wednesday, June 24th. This guidance does come with strict guidelines we will need to adhere to which I have detailed for you below. The most stringent guideline is that these visits must be supervised by a member of the Episcopal Church Home Staff. For that reason we will be offering scheduled visiting times which can be reserved through our Life Enhancement Department. We will use the same scheduling software we have used for our virtual visits. You will get a more detailed instruction sheet on how to sign up for an outdoor visit next week from Jessica Demeules, our Life Enhancement Director. We received this guidance the same day it was released to the general public which is why we hope you understand that we need few days to ensure our practices can meet the guidelines before we launch these visits.

Here are the details of our Outdoor Visiting program:

  • The visits will take place outside in the ECH meditation garden. Our meditation garden is located off of our University Ave entrance at the entry point between the ECH TCU and Cornelia House.
  • The meditation garden will be equipped with benches and umbrellas. This space allows family a private place to visit without having to physically enter our facility.
  • Families must book an outdoor visit ahead of time using the availability calendar provided by the ECH Life Enhancement Department.
  • Visitors will be screened for signs and symptoms of respiratory infection and will have their temperatures taken prior to meeting with the resident.
  • Visitors must wear a facemask or facial covering during the entirety of the visit and practice social distancing by remaining at least 6 feet apart.
  • To continue protecting everyone from potential virus transmission, we ask that you avoid hugs, handshakes and other physical contact.
  • During your first outdoor visit, we’ll ask you to read a description of the visit requirements, agree to follow those instructions, and accept that there is some COVID-19 risk even in these protected situations.
  • For more specifics on what to expect, see the Frequently Asked Questions  below.

In the guidance for beauty shops within long term care facilities the Minnesota Department of Health has stated that beauty shop services should remain suspended until we are able to go 14 days without a positive COVID-19 case for both staff and residents. At this time we do have two residents on our COVID unit so we are not eligible to resume services. We will keep you updated on our case status as we look forward to resuming these services in the hopeful near future. To stay up to date on our active daily COVID-19 case counts you can visit our website which now has active case dashboard.

At this time, indoor visits will continue to be limited to essential health care personnel and compassionate care situations. Our entire team looks forward to seeing you outside and enjoying our well-earned Minnesota summer days. I will continue to keep you up to date on how our COVID-19 protection efforts are going. We are following state and federal guidelines in planning to re-open inside visiting as quickly as we can. For now, we will do everything we can to make your outdoor visits as comfortable as possible.

Thank you again for being partners with us in fighting the COVID-19 virus. Your messages of support, prayers, and patience will not be forgotten. There may be more challenges ahead, and we may need to make adjustments as we roll-out our new Outdoor Visiting program. If you have ideas to make it better, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at 651-209-8519.

Sincerely,

Melissa Schneider

Administrator

mschneider@episcopalhomes.org

COVID-19 OUTDOOR VISITATION: FAQ

What kind of visitation is currently being allowed?

Outdoor visitation will be permitted at ECH beginning Wednesday, June 24th. Visitation of residents inside our building is still prohibited for now per guidance from the Minnesota Department of Health.  We also continue to allow window visits and visits that take place using alternative methods of communication, such as the telephone and Zoom/Skype/Facetime.

 

Will there be scheduled hours for the outdoor visitation?

Yes, appointments must be booked through the Life Enhancement Department. Instructions on how to book appointments will be sent our early next week. We do plan to offer appointments 7 days a week.

 

Will there ever be a circumstance where an outdoor visit is denied?
Long-term care providers retain the right to deny outdoor visits based on a resident or visitor not complying with infection control guidance or if the resident or visitor is at risk of abuse/harm.

 

What can I expect when I arrive for my visit?

You will be screened for symptoms per our screening protocols that are used for all staff and essential heath care personnel and asked to use alcohol-rub sanitizer before your visit. You will be asked to review the restrictions and instructions for the outdoor visit, which include use of facemasks, social distancing and limiting your movement within our setting. You will be asked to sign a form acknowledging the requirements and your agreement to comply with them.

 

Must I wear a mask for these visits, even though they are outdoors with social distancing?

Yes, a face mask or other facial covering must be worn during the entire visitation unless it is not medically possible.

 

Is the visitation open for all ages?

Yes. Visitors under the age of 12 must be in the control of adults who bring them and must also comply with social distancing requirements.

 

Are pets allowed?

Yes. Pets must be under the control of the visitor bringing them in.

 

Is there any other type of visitation allowed now?

Yes, window visits and visits through alternative modes of communication are allowed.


Families and Friends of The Gardens:
We are happy to let you know that the Minnesota Department of Health provided guidance to skilled nursing facilities on allowing outdoor visitation. While we are very excited to make this happen, we must also follow the strict guidance given to us by the Minnesota Department of Health. More details about the guidelines will come to you in future messaging. As you may have read in a previous message, The Gardens will be conducting all elder and staff testing for COVID-19 on Tuesday and Wednesday of next week (23rd and 24th).To ensure the safety of our elders, staff, and all of you, we will not be scheduling outdoor visits until we have received all the initial test results. We expect to receive all test results by the end of next week. Pending the outcome of the results, we are hopeful to start scheduling outdoor visits for the following week, June 29th – July 3rd.

One of the guidelines given to us by the MN Department of Health requires a facility staff person to be present to allow for help during the visit. In order to meet this guideline, visits will need to be scheduled ahead of time with our Life Enrichment Director, Karren McRae. You may be aware that Karren has been out of the office since Wednesday 6/17. On Monday when she returns, our team will discuss the best way for you to schedule these visits. I will send a more detailed message to you early next week that will explain exactly how to schedule your visits and the specific guidelines that must be followed in order to do an outside visit.

I know you are all excited and eager to see your loved ones, as are we to make this happen. Be on the look-out for a message from me early next week with more information.

See you soon,
Keanan Franco
Administrator | The Gardens

Updated 6/18/2020


Updated 6/17/2020

Updated 6/16/2020

Updated 6/15/2020

Updated 6/12/2020

To: All Residents, Family Members, and Staff of Episcopal Homes
Subject: Weekly COVID-19 UpdateLast week we had 21 active cases of COVID-19 at Episcopal Homes, including nine residents and 12 staff members. Since my report on June 5, we had one more death at Episcopal Church Home, for a total of three deaths, due to Covid-19. We are saddened by this reality.Throughout the week we had our first confirmed resident Covid case at The Gardens, in Matilda House, 5th floor. The resident was quickly transferred to our dedicated Covid unit at Episcopal Church Home for more effective care. Also, we had one more staff person test positive and we had five staff members return from quarantine because they have fully recovered.Therefore, we currently have 17 active Covid cases, nine are residents and eight are staff.

As a result of the Covid case at The Gardens, all residents in Matilda House and all staff that work there were tested and we are still awaiting results.

In conjunction with Governor Walz’ directive to move to “Phase 3” of opening up Minnesota on June 10, we altered a number of our rules governing our Independent Living communities. You should have already received a letter detailing the changes. For those living at Episcopal Church Home, The Gardens, and Iris Park Commons, the stricter rules still apply regarding visitors and other issues. Minnesota Department of Health officials are working on policy changes for Skilled Care and Assisted Living. We expect new directives to surface within a week. Until then, we are required to follow the tight rules currently in place.

We will continue to update you via our website (www.episcopalhomes.org/covid-19) or through letters, phone calls, or email messages. Also, I continue to do a daily live update on our Episcopal Homes’ Channel 6.1 at 1:30 PM, which is posted to our website and Facebook shortly thereafter. (Note the channel change from 6 to 6.1.)

Please do not hesitate to contact the manager of your community if you have questions or concerns. Or you may contact me directly. We’re in this together.

Sincerely,

Marvin Plakut, CEO
mplakut@episcopalhomes.org
651-632-8851

Updated 6/11/2020


Updated 6/10/2020

To all Gardens Elders, Staff, and Families:

We received confirmation last night that an elder in Matilda House tested positive for COVID-19. This is the first positive case involving an elder that we have had in The Gardens. This letter will help you understand how we are responding to this new development and how we will go about minimizing the spread of the virus going forward.

The elder that tested positive is stable and only has minor symptoms. The symptoms were first noticed on Monday 6/8. Upon the discovery of symptoms, we immediately implemented use of full personal protective equipment and infection control precautions. We then administered a COVID-19 test and received the results late last night. We are hopeful our immediate response will give us the best chance to slow and limit the spread of the virus to other elders and staff.

You may recall an earlier message, dated 4/21, that detailed our plan to transfer any elder that tests positive to the designated COVID-19 Unit in Episcopal Church Home. At this time, we believe this continues to be the best approach to limit the spread of the virus. As a result, the elder is in the process of being transferred to the COVID-19 Unit. Although this seems to be the best approach at this time, it may not continue to be the approach we will take going forward. If this practice changes I will notify you immediately in subsequent messaging.

We will continue to follow the guidance from the MN Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control. Our team will also continue to review our practices to ensure we are doing everything we can to keep our elders and staff safe. The specific actions outlined below are currently underway:

• Immediate testing of all staff and elders on Matilda House, including any additional staff that have had contact with the positive elder
• A more thorough and aggressive cleaning schedule, including an immediate deep clean of Matilda House
• Additional training and education on infection control practices
• Additional communication with all elders in regard to safe practices including social distancing, hand hygiene, and masking
• Ongoing audits and observations of care practices and use of personal protective equipment
• Enhanced active monitoring and screening of staff and elders in Matilda House
• Working closely with our Case Manager from the Minnesota Department of Health and our facility Medical Director for recommendations and advice
• Complete in depth staff risk assessments to identify any risk posed to any other staff that have had prolonged contact with the positive elder

I know that our communication will continue to be deeply important to you as new developments arise. I am committed to keeping you all up-to-date. You can continue to receive updates and additional changes through our website at www.episcopalhomes.org/covid-19 or through subsequent email messages. Remember that any previous messages or updates can be viewed on our website as well.

Please do not hesitate to contact me with additional questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Keanan Franco, Administrator
kfranco@episcopahomes.org
(651) 272 – 4963

Updated 6/09/2020


Updated 6/08/2020

To: All Residents, Family Members, and Visitors of our Independent Living Communities

Subject: Partial Re-Opening Our Independent Living Communities
Now that the state and nation is partially re-opening in wake of the Coronavirus pandemic, Episcopal Homes is instituting a gradual re-opening of its Independent Living Communities. It is important to understand that some key restrictions, like social distancing, wearing masks, and size limits to group gatherings remain in place, but some restrictions will be lifted as of Wednesday, June 10. That is the same day that Governor Walz is “turning the dial” to Phase 3 of re-opening of Minnesota.

Why are we gradually re-opening now?Leadership at Episcopal Homes has heard many of you express that it is time to gradually lift our all-out lockdown, just as Governor Walz is doing for the rest of Minnesota. We understand residents’ and families’ need to see one other in person. As leaders, we have a duty to do our best to meet those needs while providing measures to keep everyone as safe as possible.

Changes for our gradual re-opening:
1. Only one visitor per resident, per day. Each visitor MUST screen themselves (or be screened by a manager or receptionist) upon entry and submit their temperature and Screening Tool to the building’s Housing Manager or Receptionist.
2. Those who spend the night in the hospital or visiting family do NOT need to quarantine themselves for 14 days in their apartment any longer. However, if you suspect you have COVID-related symptoms, you MUST isolate yourself in your apartment and get tested and self-quarantine until your health care provider confirms that you are Covid-free.

What will stay the same:

1. The Zones separating buildings will remain in place. We have five zones that cannot be crossed, as follows:

  • Seabury & Cornelia House
  • Episcopal Church Home
  • Iris Park Commons
  • The Terrace and Midway Pointe
  • The Gardens

2. We will continue grocery shopping for those of you who do not have family to assist.

3. We continue to disinfect high-touch surfaces and items as often as possible with a disinfectant that kills the Coronavirus.

4. We continue to follow the latest guidelines from the Minnesota Department of Health and the CDC for Communal Living Buildings and Continuing Care Retirement Communities.

5. The Skilled Nursing Facilities (the Gardens and Episcopal Church Home) and Iris Park Commons continue to be completely locked down, not allowing any visitor that is not essential to the residents’ health and well-being.

We need your cooperation with the following to keep everyone safe:
1. Monitor your health and report any COVID symptoms to your manager (temp over 100F, cough, muscle aches, sore throat, loss of taste/smell, trouble breathing).
2. Wash your hands often.
3. Ensure every visitor takes his or her temperature and completes the COVID-19 screening tool before entering the building. Have him or her sanitize hands with the hand sanitizer provided.
4. Wear your mask whenever you leave your apartment and keep it on, covering both your nose and mouth at all times.
5. Maintain 6 feet between yourself and others at all times.
6. Never congregate in large groups if you cannot maintain 6 feet of distancing.
7. Maintain contact with your assigned “buddy” or “buddies.”
8. Continue to have your family or friends shop for your groceries if they are able to do so.
9. Limit your outings as much as possible, especially to grocery stores and retail outlets like Target and Wal-Mart or Menards. Try to keep as “in-house” as possible.

When you must report to your building Manager:

1. If you have a fever greater than 100 degrees F; dry cough; shortness of breath; headache; sore throat; loss of taste/smell; muscle aches; chills; continued shaking with chills.
2. If you have been in contact with someone who has been diagnosed or is being tested for COVID-19 due to the presence of symptoms.

If you meet either of these conditions, you must notify your Housing Manager.

Seeking your feedback:

This decision has an effect on your health and well-being as well as that of your neighbors. We want your feedback. Please return a response to the survey form placed in your mailbox to your manager ASAP so that we may fine-tune this policy with your input. See your building manager with any questions.

Thank you,

Episcopal Homes Management

Updated 6/05/2020


June 5, 2020

To: All Residents, Family Members, and Staff of Episcopal Homes

Subject: Weekly COVID-19 Update, and George Floyd ramifications

Yesterday, a funeral was held for George Floyd after his tragic death that continues to shake the world. Now starts the hard work of genuinely changing our laws and practices and behaviors that have discriminated against people of color, thereby afflicting us all. Dr. Martin Luther King said that all races and colors have linked destinies and freedom. Amen. While at Episcopal Homes we hold dear the values of respect and dignity and justice for all, I am going to form a roundtable group to explore areas or ways to which we might be blind. We want to always improve. We are not perfect, and we always strive to be better.

Last week we had 22 confirmed cases of COVID-19 at Episcopal Homes, including ten residents and 12 staff members. (Last week I had incorrectly stated it to be 21 total.)

Testing concluded at Episcopal Church Home (ECH) last week and we are excited to report that we had only six new cases out of 287 tests, which is 2.1%.

Testing began at Iris Park Commons (IPC) this week, on Tuesday and Wednesday. 102 tests were administered and we have already received 100 results. We are delighted to report that all 100 test results are negative. We expect to receive the last two results within a day.

I am also pleased to report that this week one resident has fully recovered and is no longer on quarantine. Therefore, our total active COVID-19 cases at the end of this week is 21, including nine residents and 12 staff members.

The active Covid cases at Episcopal Church Home (ECH) are being served in our dedicated COVID-19 unit. We are not accepting external COVID-19 cases into this unit. Rather, this isolated setting was established to serve current Episcopal Homes’ residents, enabling us to quarantine those with the virus, protect those who are virus free, preserve PPE, and improve care.

We will continue to update you via our website (www.episcopalhomes.org/covid-19) or through letters, phone calls, or email messages. Also, I continue to do a daily live update on our Episcopal Homes’ Channel 6 at 1:30 PM, which is posted to our website and Facebook shortly thereafter.

Please do not hesitate to contact the manager of your community if you have questions or concerns. Or you may contact me directly. We’re in this together.

Sincerely,

Marvin Plakut, CEO
mplakut@episcopalhomes.org
651-632-8851

Updated 6/04/2020


Updated 6/03/2020

Updated 6/02/2020

Updated 6/01/2020

Updates from May, 2020

Updated 5/29/2020

To: All Residents, Family Members, and Staff of Episcopal HomesSubject: Status Update Regarding Nearby Demonstrations

The excruciating death of George Floyd has caused social unrest, violence, and looting. Governor Walz, just hours ago, spoke boldly about “decades and generations of pain, of anguish.” The reaction to that pain and anguish has resulted in violence in our neighborhood. Starting at 12 noon yesterday and continuing into the evening and night there was violent activity along University Avenue in St. Paul. According to police, more than 170 St. Paul businesses were looted or damaged overnight. University Avenue remains closed between Hamline and Snelling Avenues. This setting is eight blocks East of our main campus; four blocks west of Carty Heights, our community at Lexington; and a mile from Kings Crossing, our community at Dale Street.

Early yesterday, we added security officers at Carty Heights and Kings Crossing, given their proximity to retail establishments. Early evening, we evacuated our Kings Crossing residents to La Quinta hotel in Woodbury when damage was done to retail shops beneath these apartments. Residents will remain at the hotel until we know it is safe for them to return.

Carty Heights was untouched, though two nearby gas stations were destroyed. And our main campus at University & Fairview was untouched. As you know, our main Episcopal Homes campus does not have retail shops in its immediate vicinity.

With Metro Transit closed for the weekend, staff members who normally use bus and Green Line service should bring Uber/Lyft receipts to Human Resources for reimbursement for any expenses to get to work while public transit is down. Metro Mobility is also available for healthcare workers to receive free transportation to work.

Our top priority is your safety and security and health. We will continue to communicate with city officials, retail partners, our senior leadership team, and all staff to monitor issues affecting our health and safety, and we will respond quickly and keep you updated as things unfold.

Episcopal Homes was founded 126 years ago in response to some members of our society being cast aside to die without dignity or caring. Our values have not changed. Kings Crossing is named in honor of civil rights hero, Dr. Martin Luther King. Carty Heights is similarly named in honor of local civil rights champion, Father Denzel Carty. We strongly support justice and dignity for all, not just for the majority, but for all. Those remain our values.

We’re in this together.

Sincerely,

Marvin Plakut, CEO
mplakut@episcopalhomes.org
651-632-8851

Weekly COVID-19 Update – 5/29/2020

To: All Residents, Family Members, and Staff of Episcopal Homes
Subject: Weekly COVID-19 Update

Last week we had 20 confirmed cases of COVID-19 at Episcopal Homes, including nine residents and 11 staff members. With great sadness, we experienced our first two deaths from COVID-19, residents living at Episcopal Church Home.

This week, four staff members recovered from COVID-19, ending their quarantine.

Testing continued at Episcopal Church Home (ECH) on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week. ECH nursing leadership were able to administer 287 tests and submit them to Mayo Clinic for processing. So far, we have received 236 results. With this increased testing, five more cases were confirmed, bringing our total active COVID-19 cases at the end of this week to 21, including 10 residents and 11 staff members. So far, 231 tests came back with negative results and we await results on 51 tests. Overall, we are very pleased with these results. It tells us that we are doing a number of things right to control the spread of this virus.

The active Covid cases at Episcopal Church Home (ECH) are being served in our dedicated COVID-19 unit. We are not accepting external COVID-19 cases into this unit. Rather, this isolated setting was established to serve current Episcopal Homes’ residents, enabling us to quarantine those with the virus, protect those who are virus free, preserve PPE, and improve care.

We have an abundance of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at this time. We have strong infection control practices and continue to study and follow best practices that emerge from our regulatory and professional organizations. We are doing all we can to prevent spread of this virus.

We will continue to update you via our website (www.episcopalhomes.org/covid-19) or through letters, phone calls, or email messages. Also, I continue to do a daily live update on our Episcopal Homes’ Channel 6 at 1:30 PM, which is posted to our website and Facebook shortly thereafter.

Please do not hesitate to contact the manager of your community if you have questions or concerns. Or you may contact me directly.

We’re in this together.

Sincerely,

Marvin Plakut, CEO

mplakut@episcopalhomes.org

651-632-8851

Updated 5/28/2020


Updated 5/27/2020

Updated 5/26/2020

Updated 5/22/2020

To: All Residents, Family Members, and Staff of Episcopal HomesSubject: Weekly COVID-19 Update

Last week we had 14 confirmed cases of COVID-19 at Episcopal Homes, including eight staff members and six residents. This week, one Seabury resident recovered from COVID-19, ending their quarantine. Also this week, seven more cases were confirmed, bringing our total active COVID-19 cases at the end of this week to 20, including nine residents and 11 staff members.

The active Covid cases at Episcopal Church Home (ECH) are being served in our dedicated COVID-19 unit. We are not accepting external COVID-19 cases into this unit. Rather, this isolated setting was established to serve current Episcopal Homes’ residents, enabling us to quarantine those with the virus, protect those who are virus free, preserve PPE, and improve care.

As many of you know, on Monday COVID-19 tests for residents and employees of Episcopal Church Home were administered by the Minnesota National Guard under the direction of the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). Regretfully, these samples had to be discarded because they were exposed to heat. There was a lack of communication and coordination by the MDH liaison who was new to the job. Next week, COVID-19 testing will be repeated with two improvements. First, ECH nursing leadership will administer tests. Second, tests will be administered orally using kits provided by Mayo Clinic. All ECH employees need to repeat testing on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday between the hours of 10:00 a.m. to noon and between 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Night shift employees will be tested during their shifts. Residents will be tested by their assigned nurses.

Thanks to the support of many community volunteers, we have an abundance of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at this time. We have strong infection control practices and continue to study and follow best practices that emerge from our regulatory and professional organizations. We are doing all we can to prevent spread of this virus.

We will continue to update you via our website (www.episcopalhomes.org/covid-19) or through letters, phone calls, or email messages. Also, I continue to do a daily live update on our Episcopal Homes’ Channel 6 at 1:30 PM, which is posted to our website and Facebook shortly thereafter.

Please do not hesitate to contact the manager of your community if you have questions or concerns. Or you may contact me directly.

We’re in this together.

Sincerely,

Marvin Plakut, CEO
mplakut@episcopalhomes.org
651-632-8851

Updated 5/21/2020


Updated 5/20/2020

To: All ECH residents and family members

Subject: Testing update

You are aware that all residents and all staff at Episcopal Church Home (ECH) were tested yesterday for COVID-19. We were just informed this morning by Mayo Clinic (the lab that was assigned to all of our test kits) that all the test samples were compromised due to the timing and the way they were transported to Mayo Clinic by the Minnesota Department of Health. All samples had to be discarded because they were incorrectly exposed to excessive heat.

Inez and I and the entire leadership team at ECH cannot tell you how saddened and angered we are that this major mishap occurred, even though it was through no fault of our own. We feel so badly for all that endured this test and are awaiting test results. Some expressed the pain felt with the administering of these tests. We know. We experienced the same discomfort.

We feel your disappointment. We feel your frustration. We, too, are angry that this happened.

At this time we are aggressively working to inform the highest levels of state government our anger and frustration. They need to change their systems promptly so that they never make this major mistake at other facilities. The Manager for the Statewide Healthcare Coordination Center already reached out to us and said: “. . . we failed you and your residents and for that I am deeply apologetic. We have changed our systems and approach and learned from this tragedy, but I am sorry that all I have is our sincere apologies to offer in return for this situation.”

We have not yet concluded how we will proceed with future testing efforts. We will update you just as soon as we know.

In the meantime, we will prioritize whatever tests we are able to conduct on a daily basis to those displaying any of the symptoms or those that may have been exposed in some way.

Our first priority is to keep everyone safe and healthy. We will be back in touch with you as soon as we have updates.

Please reach out to me if you have questions.

Sincerely,

Melissa Schneider, ECH Administrator
mschneider@episcopalhomes.org
651-209-8519

Updated 5/19/2020


Updated 5/18/2020

Updated 5/16/2020
CallFire message – 05/16/20 (to Campus Residents and Families)

Hi, this is Marvin Plakut and today is Saturday, May 16. This message is for all residents living on our Episcopal Homes campus and their family members.

Last night we received the good news that starting this Monday morning, May 18, the Minnesota Department of Health will begin helping us administer mass testing for COVID-19 on our Episcopal Homes campus. This will be very helpful as we fight this virus in order to keep you and our staff as safe as possible. This testing will begin at Episcopal Church Home only. They will test all residents and all staff.

There is a good chance that they will also test all residents and staff at The Gardens and Iris Park Commons, but it will not be on Monday and it has not yet been scheduled. And if they should decide to test any of our independent communities at some point in the future, we will let you know as soon as we find out.

We are working very closely with the Minnesota Department of Health and welcome their expertise, resources and help during this challenging time. We want to let you know that part of their procedure is to implement this major testing effort by using medics from the Minnesota National Guard to assist with administering these tests. Again, we welcome this assistance as it will help us limit the impact of this virus.

Our goal is to do as much as possible to keep you and our staff safe.

Clearly these are challenging times for everyone. Fortunately we have a really good team of staff and you have been understanding of, and cooperative with, our restrictions and requirements. Your continuing cooperation is vital and we are so grateful for it. Thank you.

We are with you. We are in this together, and together I am confident that we are going to prevail.

Updated 5/15/2020


Updated 5/14/2020

Updated 5/13/2020

Updated 5/12/2020

Updated 5/11/2020

Updated 5/08/2020

To: All Residents, Family Members, and Staff of Episcopal Homes

Subject: Weekly COVID-19 Update

Henceforth, please expect a weekly written update from Episcopal Homes regarding the status of COVID-19 across our communities.

Last week we had our first confirmed case of COVID-19 at Episcopal Homes, a staff member who worked in the kitchen at Episcopal Church Home. Three additional cases have been confirmed this week. These include a kitchen staff member and a Certified Nursing Assistant at Episcopal Church Home, and a Seabury resident.

Please know we have been and will continue to take every precaution possible to stop the spread of this virus. Our first priority is to keep everyone – our elders and staff — safe and healthy.

In the first week of March, with your help, Episcopal Homes implemented many proactive and important changes to control infections. We believe these early critical steps helped keep COVID-19 out of our communities for many weeks. We continue to follow our early guidelines and we implement all recommendations from the Minnesota Department of Health, Center for Disease Control & Prevention, and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

You probably saw Governor Walz’ and Jan Malcolm’s (MN Health Department Commissioner) multi-pronged plan for assisting long term care organizations. Their plan will be rolled out over the coming days. The core components of their plan are more and quicker testing of residents and staff, and ensuring that long term care organizations have adequate Personal Protective Equipment and staff, where shortages exist. Currently we have adequate supplies and staffing levels. But should we find the need, it is very good to know we have the resources of the State of Minnesota backing us up.

We will update you regularly via our website – www.episcopalhomes.org/covid-19 or through subsequent letters, phone calls, or email messages. Also, remember that I do a daily live update on our Episcopal Homes’ Channel 6 at 1:30 PM. This update is then posted to our website and Facebook shortly thereafter.

Please do not hesitate to contact the manager of your community if you have questions or concerns. Or you may contact me directly.

You are loved and supported. Never forget that. We’re in this together.

Sincerely,

Marvin Plakut, CEO
mplakut@episcopalhomes.org
651-632-8851

To all Residents of Episcopal Homes’ Independent Living Communities,

As you know, for nearly two months, with your help, Episcopal Homes implemented many proactive and important changes to control COVID-19. We believe these early critical steps helped keep it out of our Episcopal Homes’ communities for many weeks. Thank you.

We now have a case at Seabury. We ask you to continue to follow our same early guidelines, such as those pertaining to social distancing and the wearing of masks, as these implement all recommendations from the Minnesota Department of Health, Center for Disease Control & Prevention, and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Should a case arise in your community, these are the measures you can expect promptly:
1. Upon confirmation of a COVID case, our Infection Control Task Force rapidly completes an assessment of the situation.
2. Quickly thereafter, the resident’s facility manager will communicate with Minnesota Department of Health and other residents in the facility to identify those in close contact with the infected resident to rapidly facilitate further testing and self-quarantining to prevent spread in the facility.
3. If the resident is healthy enough to remain in their apartment and capable of self-quarantine, they will likely remain there.
4. Staff will check in daily to monitor the resident’s health.
5. Any and all assistance the resident needs with meals, medications, laundry, etc. will be coordinated by the manager of their community.
6. Should the resident’s health decline significantly, they will likely be transferred to a local hospital for more intensive care.
7. Once hospitalization is no longer needed, the resident can request to be transferred to our Transitional Care Unit at Episcopal Church Home, where a dedicated and isolated COVID unit has been created.
8. Once they are free of COVID, the resident will return home to their apartment at Episcopal Homes.

Attached is an additional Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document that offers more detail.

Please know we have been and will continue to take every precaution possible to stop the spread of this virus. Our first priority is to keep everyone – our elders and staff — safe and healthy.

Please do not hesitate to contact the manager of your community if you have questions or concerns. Or you may contact me directly.

You are loved and supported. Never forget that. We’re in this together.

Sincerely,

Marvin Plakut, CEO
mplakut@episcopalhomes.org
651-632-8851

 

May 8, 2020
Independent Living – Episcopal Homes
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: What should I do if I think I’ve been exposed to COVID-19?
A: If you have been exposed to the virus, act quickly. It is important to note that this virus appears to spread prior to your showing symptoms. Help protect your neighbors by staying in your home and self-quarantining. Tell your facility manager if you have been exposed and help develop a plan to support you while in quarantine.

Q: What should I do if I am experiencing symptoms of COVID-19?
A: If you are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19, please stay home to prevent spread of the virus to your neighbors. Symptoms to be mindful of are fever, cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, sore throat, muscle aches, chills, headache, diarrhea and loss of taste or smell. Call your healthcare provider, and let them know of your symptoms and that you live in congregate senior housing as your COVID-19 testing will be prioritized quickly. Alert your facility manager to support you and help prevent spread of the virus.

Q: What should I do if I am quarantined?
A: First, it is vital that you remain in your unit to avoid spreading the virus. Please work with your relatives and/or building manager to make arrangements for food delivery and other necessary items to come to your building or apartment. Staff will be checking in daily with you to help monitor how you are feeling. If you have questions or need additional help, contact your housing manager for assistance.

Q: What is Episcopal Homes doing to minimize the spread of COVID-19?
A: In the first week of March, with your help, Episcopal Homes implemented many proactive and important changes to keep the Coronavirus out of our facilities that are still important today, like social distancing, wearing masks, frequent hand washing, etc. We believe these early critical steps helped keep COVID-19 out of our Episcopal Homes communities for many weeks. We continue to follow our early guidelines and implement all recommendations to prevent and stop spread of the virus from the Minnesota Department of Health, Center for Disease Control & Prevention, and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. With the virus now in our communities, we will focus increasingly on self-quarantining anyone with or exposed to the virus and supporting rapid access to testing for COVID-19.

Q: How can I help stop the spread of the virus?
A: Closely follow infection control practices we have put in place on our campus including frequent hand-washing. Always wear a facemask. Avoid touching face, nose and eyes. Stay within your zone. Remember to remain socially distant (six feet apart) at all times. Avoid touching surfaces in public places and, if you must touch surfaces, use a fresh tissue or sanitize hands before and after making contact with high touch surfaces. These precautionary measures will help you and your neighbors stay healthy.

Q: What happens if I need to be hospitalized due to symptoms of COVID-19?
A: Should your health decline due to COVID-19, you will be transferred to a local hospital for more intensive care. Once hospitalization is no longer needed, you can request that your hospital discharge you, if needed, to our Transitional Care Unit at Episcopal Church Home where a dedicated and isolated COVID unit has been created. Once you are free of COVID-19, you return to your apartment at Episcopal Homes.

Q: Does Episcopal Homes currently have an adequate supply of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)?
With the help of residents, families and other volunteers, nearly 3,000 source masks have been sewn and donated. These are distributed to residents and staff, and a process has been defined by housekeeping to launder masks per CDC guidelines. For elders who wash their own masks, Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) recommends washing in a HOT cycle and a HOT dryer using regular laundry soap.
We have also benefited from extensive donations of face shields and goggles, as well as purchased these and N95 masks, googles and other PPE continuously since early March.

Q: Where can I go for testing?
A: A list of COVID testing sites can be found on the Minnesota COVID-19 response webpage at https://mn.gov/covid19/for-minnesotans/if-sick/testing-locations/

Q: What can I do to help staff and other residents?
A: Because of COVID-19, our staff are being called upon to care for our community in unprecedented ways and elders remain physically distant from many whom they love. As we remain committed to campus measures to ensure safety for all, Episcopal Homes has a variety of needs during this time. Please visit our Ways You Can Help page at www.episcopalhomes.org/covid-19/ways-you-can-help for more information.

Q: Can my loved one take me out for a walk since I can’t visit them in the building?
A: You can certainly take a walk as long as you and your loved one are symptom free and not self quarantining due to exposure to or because you have COVID. At this time, your collective use of source control masks, appropriate hand washing, sanitizing and social distancing help protect you, your neighbors, our staff – as well as family – from spreading COVID. These precautions are critical recognizing many people in the community have not been tested and can have the virus without having symptoms of illness. Prior to leaving the facility, elders should wash hands and avoid touching high-touch, public surfaces. Family members are not allowed inside our facility.

Q: What can I do to remain socially connected during this time?
A: Our life enrichment, Active Living, Creative Ventures and Spiritual Life staff teams and others have been working to keep our Episcopal Homes’ elders connected during this time. New channels for elders to continue to reach loved ones, remain engaged and promote wellbeing have been developed rapidly since early March. For example, capacity of our in-house television Channel 3 and Channel 6 are being expanded to include new enrichment programming. In addition, many offerings can now be found on our Resident Life portal link at www.episcopalhomes.org/wellbeing. Staff are supporting elders in making FaceTime calls with loved ones. Daily social distancing walks are being held, along with small numbers of elders enjoying movie offerings with social distancing.

As Marvin often encourages in his daily1:30 announcements, reach out to a loved one or friend by phone or letter and remember to contact your housing manager if you need assistance with finding additional resources during this time.

Updated 5/7/2020


Updated 5/6/2020

Updated 5/5/2020

Updated 5/4/2020

Updated 5/1/2020

Updates from April, 2020

Updated 4/30/2020


Updated 4/29/2020

To: All Family Members of Episcopal Homes’ Residents
Subject: COVID-19 Case ConfirmedToday we received notice that an employee has tested positive for COVID-19 at Episcopal Homes. The employee works at Episcopal Church Home and does not have direct contact with residents. The employee works part-time, hadn’t worked since Monday, and wore mask and gloves while working. They do not have symptoms, but were tested immediately when a roommate tested positive. They will be quarantined for at least 14 days, but will continue to be paid as if they are working.

Federal health guidelines also require that anyone who works in close proximity to an infected employee be quarantined for 14 days. No other employees worked in close proximity to the infected individual. These steps are necessary to stop the virus from spreading.

Please know we have been and will continue to take every precaution possible to stop the spread of this virus. Our first priority is to keep everyone – our elders and staff — safe and healthy.

We will continue to follow guidelines from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention and Minnesota Department of Health. Specifically, we:

• Coordinate with local health officials.
• Clean and disinfect the facility common areas, elevator lobbies and entrances.
• Keep residents, staff and families informed through multiple channels of communication.

As you may know, Episcopal Homes initiated aggressive infection control and screening procedures in early March. We believe this early action helped us minimize exposure to the Coronavirus as effectively as possible. These changes remain in place as part of our response plan. We thank you for helping us continue to follow the critical protections.

Communication is key, and we will continue to update you on any news, emerging issues, or additional changes via our website – www.episcopalhomes.org/covid-19 or through subsequent email messages.

Please do not hesitate to contact me at any time with questions or concerns you may have.

Sincerely,

Marvin Plakut, CEO

Updated 4/28/2020


Updated 4/27/2020

Updated 4/24/2020

Updated 4/23/2020

Updated 4/22/2020

Updated 4/21/2020

Updated 4/20/2020

Updated 4/17/2020

Updated 4/16/2020

Updated 4/15/2020

Updated 4/14/2020

Updated 4/13/2020

Updated 4/09/2020

Updated 4/08/2020

Updated 4/07/2020

There was a technical problem with Marvin and Phil’s daily message today. We continue to have no confirmed cases of COVID-19 on our campus. We will see you tomorrow with Wednesday’s update video! Thank you.
Updated 4/06/2020

To: All Residents at Episcopal HomesSubject: Wearing masksIn accordance with direction from Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), we are asking all residents to cooperate with this directive and wear a mask when outside your unit to reduce the chance of infecting others. These masks will often be homemade cloth masks.We are diligently working to increase our supply of homemade masks. In the meantime, we encourage you to seek ways to obtain or create masks. To view mask design details, please visit our Episcopal Homes COVID-19 web page and go to Ways you can help page. Until you are able to acquire this type of mask, the U.S. Surgeon General recommends using a 20×20 inch piece of a t-shirt or other material, like a handkerchief.For cleaning and sanitizing homemade masks, Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) recommends washing in a HOT cycle using regular laundry soap and drying on the HOT setting.The wearing of a mask when outside your unit does not reduce the need for social distancing and frequent handwashing and staying within your communities and zones. It changes no previous rules. We still need to be vigilant with all previous measures. This is just one more technique to reduce the risk of spread.Please see the manager of your community if you have questions.Thank you very much for your cooperation.Marvin Plakut & Management
Updated 4/03/2020

Updated 4/02/2020

To: All Residents at Episcopal Homes
Subject:Easter holidays are upon us. The temptation to break quarantine and visit family is heightened. For the good of all, we are asking you to stay home.Testing for COVID-19 is still very limited. The number of confirmed cases is lower than the actual count. We all need to assume the virus could have infected any person we encounter in public places or at family gatherings. We also need to assume it could be on every surface: every door handle, every chair we touch, every table at which we sit.Remember, it will only take one person to bring COVID-19 to our campus. It will travel on your hands, your clothing, or in your body. There are 1,000 people on our campus that would immediately be endangered.And know this: staff are enduring what you are enduring. We are just as isolated as you are from friends and extended families. We are not going to have our Easter gatherings either.For the last five days we have been under a statewide “Stay At Home” order from Governor Walz. Social distancing is not just vital for stopping the spread, it is the law. Social distancing works.With the exception of going outside for a walk or to get some sunshine, you need to stay home. This is a serious time that demands cooperation and kindness and exceptional concern for all people – your family, neighbors, friends, staff, and society at large. Respect and love all of them.Marvin Plakut & Management

Updated 4/01/2020

Updates from March, 2020

Updated 3/31/2020


Updated 3/30/2020

Updated 3/27/2020

Updated 3/26/2020

Updated 3/25/2020

Updated 3/24/2020

 

Updated 3/23/2020
Updated 3/20/2020

COVID-19 Update

Here is the latest update for Episcopal Homes:
• We continue to have no confirmed cases of COVID-19. One resident under isolation at ECH that was tested was cleared. No COVID-19. We await one more test on a different resident at ECH. Hopefully that result will be reported to us within a day or two. One staff person at The Gardens is in isolation at home, out of an abundance of caution. And one resident at The Terrace remains in isolation for a few more days. This person is showing no symptoms.

• For residents who do not have the ability to get groceries delivered by either a family member or an online/app service, we are making arrangements to help you pick up the items you need. Residents are asked to prepare an essential grocery list and bring it down to the front lobby of their building on Monday mornings from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and someone will pick these items up for you.

• Put sanitizing wipes in the garbage after use. Don’t flush them down the toilet. With the current increase in the use of sanitizing products, sanitizing wipes are causing major sewage pipe problems around the country. This is causing some disruptions in our ability to flush toilets. Help us keep our plumbing working. Use the trash container for discarding sanitizing wipes.

• We have set up a fund to help our elders maintain access to groceries and other essentials during this difficult time. In addition to food access, improving access to technology, delivering digital programming to help combat self isolation and maintaining connections with staff and family are critical during this time. If you would like to help, donations to these efforts can be made by clicking here.

• Remember the basics of social distancing, of staying within your zone, and of frequent handwashing.

• Remember, no visitors. And please don’t go out into the broader community. Going for a walk outside to get some fresh air and exercise is a good thing, but stick to the rule of six feet of separation.

• Stay in touch with your relatives and friends through phone, FaceTime, and social media.

Let us continue to show empathy and kindness and love to one another. We are in this together.

Updated 3/19/2020< span style=”color: #ff0000;”>Updated 3/18/2020
Updated 3/17/2020
Updated 3/16/2020
Here is our latest update for our Episcopal Homes campus:

  • Every weekday at 2:00 p.m. Marvin Plakut, CEO, will be providing a live video update about the latest developments on our Episcopal Homes campus related to the COVID-19 virus. It will be shown live on Episcopal Homes Channel 6 and it will then be posted on social media and on our website, which is: www.episcopalhomes.org/COVID-19.
  • There are presently no confirmed cases of COVID-19 on our campus. There are two ECH residents and one ECH staff member being tested. Also, one Terrace resident had a visitor a week ago that developed some potential symptoms and that visitor is being tested. All three residents are in isolation and the staff member has not been scheduled for a shift in over a week. We will keep you informed.
    • It is vital that we stick to our proper zones to minimize potential spread. The zones are as follows:
      a. Zone 1 is Seabury and Cornelia House
      b. Zone 2 is Episcopal Church Home (ECH)
      c. Zone 3 is Iris Park Commons (IPC)/Katy’s Cottage
      d. Zone 4 is The Terrace and Midway Pointe
      e. Zone 5 is The Gardens
  • Starting tomorrow, meals will be provided in each of the above zones. Community dining is eliminated for now. Watch for more details on times and locations to pick up your meal.
  • For grocery shopping, weekly trips will be made to Cub Foods and Walmart but only the bus driver will make the trip. You will be placing your order and he/she will pick up the food and deliver it back to your community/zone. Watch for more details on placing your orders and when/where to pick up your items.
  • Non-urgent maintenance requests will not be addressed in resident rooms/apartments at this time.
  • Always remember the basics of frequent hand-washing, sanitizing, and social distancing.
  • Our emergency communications to you rely on telephone numbers and emails. Emergency messages to employees and residents will be sent through telephone from Episcopal Home’s phone number 651-444-4099. Messages to family members will be sent by Episcopal Homes email. For residents and family members, please provide any new contact information to your facility managers or submit it using the form on our Covid-19 website. For employees, please ensure your contact information is up to date in PayChex. This letter also references our website and Facebook site addresses, which is where we will post more in depth information:
    • COVID webpage: https://episcopalhomes.org/covid-19
    • FB Post: https://www.facebook.com/Episcopalhomes

Thank you for your ongoing cooperation and support. It is only through strong commitment from everyone that we will be able to reduce our risks and contain a potential spread.

Updated 3/13/2020

COVID-19 Update

Here is our latest update for our Episcopal Homes campus:

  • We are establishing five zones on our campus so that we limit potential spread of the virus should a case occur. The zones are as follows:
    • Zone 1 is Seabury and Cornelia House
    • Zone 2 is Episcopal Church Home (ECH)
    • Zone 3 is Iris Park Commons (IPC)/Katy’s Cottage
    • Zone 4 is The Terrace and Midway Pointe
    • Zone 5 is The Gardens
  • All residents need to stay within their zone. This is very important to containing a spread.
  • Within one week meals will be served in each of these zones. Until we get this fully figured out, meals for Zone 1 are at Seabury for lunch M – F and the Bistro. For Zone 4, beyond the Terrace Grill, you may use the Parkside Dining Room at IPC. Again, within one week watch for updates on dining locations. We know this is a change for many of you, but we must respect these zone boundaries.
  • For grocery shopping, be watching for an update within the next few days.
  • Dog walking – this will continue and those with a dog will receive additional instructions.
  • As you ponder trips off campus for shopping, entertainment, dining with relatives, church services, etc., we are asking that you significantly limit such trips. The more you leave and return to our campus the more you expose yourself and others to the virus. We don’t want this happening.
  • Visits from relatives – essential visitors need to be approved by the nursing home administrator or building manager prior to visiting. Essentially, visiting is limited to immediate family for a resident on hospice or similar acute situation.
  • Salons – they are closed. We will reevaluate in two weeks.
  • The Spiritual Life department encourages you to keep calm and tune into Channel 6. Also tune into Channel 3 for more Spiritual Life updates and other well-being programming.
  • Be watching for updates. As they occur, at a minimum they will be sent out electronically, be on our website (episcopalhomes.org), and be displayed on Channel 3.
  • Always remember the basics of frequent hand-washing, sanitizing, and social distancing.

This COVID-19 challenge requires from all of us great vigilance, thoughtfulness towards our neighbors, and fortitude. Thank you for your understanding and support. We are all very sobered and saddened by these sudden and dramatic changes. Know that we are diligently looking out for you, and know that you are loved.

Updated 3/11/2020
Changes due to COVID-19
The elders that live in long-term care centers and senior housing are at an elevated risk in the event of a COVID-19 outbreak. As a result, Episcopal Homes is taking extra precautions to protect those who live here, as well as our staff and volunteers.For 125 years our mission has been to enrich life and build community with older adults. That will always remain. Since WWII, our field of service has never been challenged like we are today with COVID-19. Now more than ever we need everyone’s cooperation in order to fulfill our mission and keep everyone safe. We need to look out for one another, follow protocols for the health of one another, and love one another.The US Center for Disease Control (CDC), MN Department of Health and other industry leaders are compelling us to dramatically decrease outside visitors and the mixing of groups of people. This is called “social distancing,” and it serves to minimize the chances of spreading COVID-19. To do this we will be implementing the following measures:

  • Effective Friday morning, the only people allowed to enter Episcopal Homes will be residents, staff, essential volunteers, vendors, health care providers, and immediate family that are visiting a resident that is on hospice or is in a similar acute situation. We know this is not easy, but it is necessary.
  • Effective tomorrow, we will be closing most of the common areas on our campus, such as Watters Pub, the pool, movie theater, and the exercise room.
  • We are cancelling all concerts, activities and most programming-related groups.
  • Spiritual life events and pastoral care will shift from chapels to Channel 6 and individualized attention.
  • Dining options will remain open as usual, but you will be receiving additional information within a few days describing some restrictions so as to minimize the chance of disease spread.
  • Should a COVID-19 case be confirmed on our campus, we will notify everyone through posted signs, flyers, phone calls, our website and social media channels.

Always remember the importance of regular handwashing, isolating yourself immediately if you feel ill and informing your manager and care team so that we can promptly take action.

With our commitment to an atmosphere of thriving and fully living, we will do the following:

  • Redeploy staff to roles that enhance connectivity, while still adhering to prudent social distancing.
  • Assist residents to stay in touch with their loved ones through a variety of technology options.
  • Work to innovate technology possibilities for maintaining vital communication and relationships.
  • Provide more activities in smaller settings, such as individual communities and households.

You will be receiving additional information over the next few days with updates on several fronts pertaining to these new restrictions. We all want life to return to normal as soon as possible. Thank you very much for your understanding, cooperation and teamwork.

 

Updated 3/9/2020

Please read the following Question and Answer piece and assist Episcopal Homes in our effort to protect our community.

How is Episcopal Homes changing its visiting policy?

Visitors are asked to:

  1. Not visit if they have been in a restricted international country in the past 14 days.
  2. Not visit if they or they have been in contact with someone who is with or under investigation for COVID – 19.
  3. Not visit if they have respiratory illness or fever.
  4. Not to visit multiple people during their visit.
  5. Clean hands before entering and after leaving with the hand sanitizer at the door. Or before touching anything in common areas, wash hands for 20 seconds or more.
  6. Keep a comfortable social distance from others. Please refrain from handshakes, hugs, kisses or other physical contact.
  7. Assure that the guest register accurately states the elder they visited.

What types of infection control practices does Episcopal Homes have in place?

  1. Staff are taught and reminded daily of important infection control practices and especially frequent handwashing and sanitizing in and out of resident rooms.
  2. Staff are instructed to not come to work if they or members of their immediate family are showing any symptoms associated with the virus.
  3. Staff are disinfecting high touch surfaces multiple times per day.
  4. Episcopal Homes will inform infection prevention and control services, local and state public health authorities, and other healthcare facility staff, as appropriate, about the presence of a person suspected of having COVID-19.

Should you wear a facemask to protect yourself from the virus, even if you’re not sick?

Due to the shortage of facemasks and respirators, Episcopal Homes is only issuing them and using them per CDC recommendations. This means that in most cases we will provide facemasks to those elders that are sick with fever and cough. The surgical mask is used to prevent transmission to other people. If you are healthy, there is little to no benefit provided by wearing a mask. Since common surgical masks are not airtight they do not prevent the breathing in of very tiny viral particles.

Instead of wearing masks, people need to:

  • Wash their hands frequently using soap and water for 20 seconds or an alcohol-based hand rub.
  • Avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth.
  • Practice cough etiquette. Cough into a flexed elbow or tissue, discard the tissue in the trash, and wash hands.
  • Stay home from school, work and public places if feeling unwell.

What is Episcopal Homes currently doing to prepare for a greater COVID-19 outbreak?

Episcopal Home is participating in regular health care facility calls with the Department of Health, monitoring CDC and World Health Organization publications and consulting with our medical director from Fairview Hospital. Our leadership team is meeting multiple times each week to both educate ourselves and prepare for any nearby outbreaks. We are planning a broad range of actions to minimize the spread of this virus and protect our elders and our staff.

What other actions will Episcopal Homes take in the event that an elder or staff member is found to have the COVID-19 virus or the outbreak widens in the community?

Episcopal Homes will always seek appropriate medical care and/or hospitalization. Our public health agencies, our medical director or Episcopal Homes may impose a quarantine by building, floor, household and or room depending on the current situation. Episcopal Homes will also have plans in place to address the movement of staff and elders in and around its buildings.  As needed we will implement additional infection control measures. Currently Episcopal Homes is:

  1. Increasing the availability and accessibility of alcohol-based hand sanitizer (ABHS), tissues, and no touch receptacles for disposal.
  2. Increasing signage for vigilant infection prevention, such as hand hygiene and cough etiquette.
  3. Increasing the cleaning, disinfecting and limiting sharing of medical equipment between residents and areas of the facility. Providing additional work supplies to avoid sharing (e.g., pens, pads) and disinfect workplace areas (nurse’s stations, phones, internal radios, etc.).
  4. Implement additional measures based on direction from the CDC and the MN Department of Health.

Will Episcopal Homes admit individuals with COVID-19?

Episcopal Homes is not and will not be admitting incoming patients or residents with known COVID-19.

Prevention

Please follow the CDC’s prevention guidelines:

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze.
  • Disinfect high-touch objects.
  • Wash your hands well and often.
  • Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water are unavailable.

Further Resources:

  • US Centers for Disease Control
  • Minnesota Department of Health
  • What you Need to Know about Coronavirus (CDC)
  • Stop the Spread of Germs Flyer (CDC)

Receive the latest COVID-19 communications from Episcopal Homes


COVID-19 Visitation Guidelines


Ways you can help
Our need is immediate, support our Elders



A special homecoming:
COVID-19 Elder graduations


Episcopal Homes residents who beat COVID-19 were recently welcomed back to their homes.

Coming together creatively
Preventing social isolation


Erna Carlstrom recently celebrated her 105th birthday at Episcopal Homes. Staff worked creatively with her family to ensure she was able to celebrate with them. Happy Birthday, Erna!


A sing-a-long activity organized by wellbeing staff members recently took place in a courtyard outside of resident windows and balconies.


We’ve divided our campus into zones to limit any spread of COVID-19. Click here for more information on our zones.


Subscribe to COVID-19 communications or take our communications survey

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490 East Lynnhurst Ave. Saint Paul, MN 55104 651-632-8801 info@EpiscopalHomes.org