TO: Residents and Staff FROM: David Swartley, President/CEO DATE: May 29, 2020 RE: Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Update #15
Since my last update, there have been no residents, and no additional employees tested positive for COVID-19.
Yogi Berra, the well-known New York Yankee Catcher, and Manager was known for his “profound” quotes. One quote stated, “When you come to a fork in the road, take it.” Another one of my favorites is, “The future ain’t what it used to be.”
The number of decisions made every day continues to amaze me. The truth of the matter is that our road forward is not clear. Yogi’s quotes, while amusing, are painfully accurate in today’s world.
Discussion this week pertained to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania moving Lancaster County to the “Yellow Phase” on Friday, June 5. The Yellow Phase results in some modest changes for our residential living residents. The following points were reviewed on our resident ZOOM call yesterday.
Social distancing and mask requirements do not change.
Use of Woodshop, Train Room, Ceramic Room, and Gardening is permitted. As these areas open, social distancing guidelines remain.
We are encouraging any groups to have a maximum of ten individuals if possible (Commonwealth Guidance is a maximum of 25).
Garden Court Apartment visitors are limited to the entrance at 521 W. 2nd Avenue. Visitors may not enter through the stairwell entrance, Lemon Street main lobby or at the Veranda entrance. It is important to limit traffic in and out of the building through this one entrance.
Visitors to the Woods Apartment are limited to the Main Entrance. Guests may not use any of the stairwell entrances, the entrance at the SmartFit Studio, the entrance at the Hall of Fame, or through the Owl’s Nest. It is important to limit traffic in and out of the building through this one main entrance.
The library and salons will remain closed.
Please do not sit outside at the Owl’s Nest to eat your lunch or dinner (this is under further review).
If any visitor is sick, PLEASE tell them to stay away!
Housekeeping services and non-essential maintenance orders have resumed service. Housekeeping services are only permitted using Moravian Manor Communities personnel.
Remember, your most significant risk moving forward is congregating in groups, in an enclosed area without wearing masks.
COVID-19 is deadly for seniors who have comorbidities. The difficulty will be maintaining balance as our world gradually opens up, and as we continue to serve frail seniors in our care areas.
This memo is my 15th update. This morning I reread my first update and the advice from three months ago stated:
Cover coughs or sneezes with your elbow. Do NOT use your hands!
Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
Clean surfaces frequently, including countertops, light switches, cell phones, remotes, and other often touched items.
If you are sick, stay home until you are feeling better.
The four points that started this conversation remain essential as we move into the next phases. (The CDC has become less concerned about surfaces in recent weeks and is focusing on droplet and airborne transmission and stressing mask usage). These simple, preventive acts do matter. Our COVID-19 Task Force is reminding everyone not to become complacent.
The week of June 8, we will begin testing 20 percent of staff and residents each week in our care areas. Mandatory testing is not a simple endeavor; however, our COVID-19 Task Force believes this is very important as the world around us begins to open.
I have attached a chart that summarizes what we should be doing concisely and transparently. The chart was forwarded to me by a resident earlier this week. Our team greatly appreciates our resident support during these unprecedented times.
I conclude with another “Yogi.” “If the world were perfect, it wouldn’t be.”
Thank you. Have a great and safe week; keep walking!
S: Stay home if you can, especially when sick
M: Mask when out
A: Avoid large groups and gatherings
R: Refresh indoor air
T: Ten feet is better than six (to avoid exposure to droplets, we know that we need to stay six feet apart, but the further away you are, the better)
Deciding to care for a loved one with his or her daily task can be deeply rewarding, yet a difficult decision to make. This is a journey that is paved with love and good intentions. However, caregiving is loaded with responsibility filled with daily concerns over how to provide the best care, while still taking care of yourself.
If you are on the journey of caregiving for a loved one, learn to recognize caregiver stress and burnout. Experts say building time into your routine to take care of yourself helps manage stress. To effectively care for someone, you first have to care for yourself. Set aside all the “I should or I will later” and put yourself on the top of the list.
Watch out for signs of stress overload. Some common symptoms of stress overload are memory problems, trouble concentrating, racing thoughts, irritability, anger, sadness, headaches, and changes in sleep or appetite. Chronic stress can lead to or worsen serious health problems, including high blood pressure, autoimmune illnesses, digestive issues, depression, and anxiety.
Be kind to yourself and follow some helpful steps to reduce caregiver stress.
#1 Take a break: Read a book, attend a religious service, watch a favorite television show, go to the movies, call a friend and go out to lunch. Taking a break gives you a fresh “new” perspective.
#2 Ask for help: Accept help when offered by family and friends. Be realistic of your time, don’t pull yourself in different directions; this will only add to your stress. Hire outside help, if needed.
#3 Reach out: Spending time with family and friends can decrease feels of isolation.
#4. Exercise: Go for a walk or do an exercise of your choice. Research shows regular physical activity can help prevent depression and alleviate anxiety.
#5 Be healthy: Eat healthy items and get plenty of sleep. Don’t self-medicate with unhealthy food, medications, or alcohol and curb your caffeine intake. Seek medical advice when needed.
#6 Laugh: Laughter is a great stress reducer. “Find Your Joy,” it is ok to laugh.
#7 Music therapy: Match your mood. Calming music to subdue frustration. Energizing tunes to lift your spirits. Your favorite classics to make you smile.
#8 Support Groups: Find a local support group.
#9 Forgive yourself: It is normal to feel tired and become frustrated, even angry, at your circumstances.
Finally, don’t do it all yourself. Set up a plan and make changes as needed. Being your loved one’s caregiver is not easy, but it is rewarding…and know your loved one appreciates all you are doing.
Christopher Reeve quoted, “I think a HERO is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.”
If you or a loved one are in need of additional support, we’re here to help. Please give us a call at 717- 627-0072 or visit our website at www.yourneighborhoodconnection.org
Be kind to yourself!
Leanne Kiralfy Executive Director Your Neighborhood Connection
TO: Residents and Staff FROM: David Swartley, President/CEO DATE: May 22, 2020 RE: Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Update #14
Since my last update, there have been no residents or additional employees who have tested positive for COVID-19.
In my last update, I shared that Moravian Manor Communities was contacted by the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) regarding a visit to discuss infection control protocols. On Saturday, May 16, three employees from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) arrived and spent four hours working with our team to discuss “what has been successful” and “what has not been successful.” The CDC personnel were requested by DOH to assist their team as they figure out how to best support long-term care facilities. Our team was privileged to participate and kudos to them for being selected! Indeed, our team’s efforts deserve accolades; however, we also realize that when dealing with a pandemic, it is best to stay very humble as one is never sure what is “lurking around the corner.”
On Wednesday morning, May 20, our COVID-19 Task Force spent two hours discussing reopening implications. Lancaster County moved to the “Yellow Phase” on Friday, May 15. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania does not support this act. Moravian Manor Communities will continue to abide by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s “Stay At Home” order. We are cautiously optimistic that on Friday, June 5, Lancaster County will move to the yellow phase.
I recognize the restlessness that continues to build as we are in the social isolation orders. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania issues all of our licensures; it is clear whose guidance we will follow.
Our Task Force reviewed a list of well over 20 items related to our residential living population. Some of the ones on the list that our team has heard most frequently are regarding the woodshop, train room, garden, and many other questions.
While these areas will remain closed in the short-term, they will be open for residents to use once we move to the Yellow Phase.
Lively conversation surrounded some of the services that we complete for our residents. Our team decided that we would begin to offer housekeeping services and non-essential maintenance services to our residential living residents. These service offerings are contingent upon residents wearing masks and practicing social distancing when staff is in your home. Also we will honor and recognize any resident who would rather our team not enter their home for non-essential services. We also decided that flower delivery for residential living residents is permitted to resume. All flower deliveries for Garden Court Residents and Woods Apartment Residents will be at the main entrance of the buildings. Delivery folks will not be permitted to take the flowers directly to your apartments in those areas.
These changes outlined in the above paragraph are effective on Tuesday, May 26. We will address further changes as Lancaster County moves closer to the “Green Phase.”
Our COVID-19 Task Force also has another subcommittee working on the Skilled Care, Assisted Living, and Personal Care areas. Paramount in their discussions is safe visitation. As the weeks continue to build, the social isolation of residents in our care areas is of significant concern and attention.
We are also processing the latest guidance from DOH asking recommending that 20 percent of residents and staff in the skilled nursing area be tested for COVID-19 every week. Our team is supportive of this testing strategy. However, there is much work to be done regarding personnel policies, as well as balancing resident rights with regulatory guidance.
We are planning to implement this testing strategy next week, or the first full week of June.
I shared during our resident ZOOM meeting earlier today that our staff initiated thank you notes and posters. Your appreciation of their efforts, along with the monetary gift, was much appreciated. I extend our Management Team’s appreciation to the Resident Association Leadership for suggesting this idea. Also, thank you to the many residents who were able to support the initiative. I believe it is a sign of a very healthy community.
Be patient, stay well, and hang in there one day at a time.
The woodshop at Moravian Manor Communities is a favorite spot for our resident craftsmen, retired from a wide range of careers. Over the years, they have created some pretty amazing things, some of which can be seen around campus including a communion table, wooden cross in the chapel, and landscaping structures. Here, they enjoy not only creating beautiful pieces of work, but also building friendships as well. They carry on the memory of Don Jones, who established the woodshop with several pieces of equipment he brought with him when he moved to Moravian Manor Communities.
Just recently, the woodshop moved from the Founders Campus to its new home on the Warwick Woodlands campus our Operations Center.
Step into the shop with this video and “join” Dale, Tom, and Mark as they discuss their favorite pastime and how being creative is one of the most exciting and rewarding thing a person can do.
After your peek into the woodshop, read about how Mark decided Moravian Manor Communities was the right place to support his retirement lifestyle.
If you love to explore the world with a camera, not being able to get out during the past few months has likely been a challenge. But there is hope, and it lies no further than your house.
A number of years ago, I discovered Contemplative Photography, primarily Miksang, which is Tibetan for “Good Eye” or more accurately, “Pure Eye.” In a nutshell, it works like this. Growing up we learned what a chair looked like and that label, “chair,” stayed with us. Same with all of the other objects we encounter.
Unfortunately, every time we see a chair, we don’t see past the label. We look … chair … nothing interesting here, so we move on. But in doing so we may not “see” fascinating shape or texture or color or geometry. There could be beauty in the shadows created by the chair or perhaps an abstract detail of just the arm that we miss by assuming, “It’s just a chair. Nothing interesting here.”
The point is, there’s a fascinating world out there if we explore seeing perceptively…rather than conceptually. Scan the space you’re in for shapes, color, texture, and geometry. View the scene through these lenses rather than the labels of chair, building, walls, etc. As you scan, something will catch your attention. Don’t over analyze it, just rest with it for a moment and you may discover a fascinating picture.
Miksang, like so many offerings from the East, can be easy in theory and more challenging in practice. And practice is the operative word. Just as all athletes practice their skills, so should we photographers. For myself it’s a daily adventure.
I’d encourage you to watch Quiet Mind – Introduction to Miksang and Contemplative Photography, a short video that will give you a much better understanding of Contemplative Photography and the techniques to practice. Other resources can be found through a Youtube search of “Miksang” or “Contemplative Photography” that will lead you to the works of Michael Wood and Julie Dubose (both photographers have excellent books), as well and others.
The Larry Lefever Photography website also has an array of Miksang examples for you to view to get your creative eye focusing on the beautiful, smaller details in everyday life.
There’s an exciting new world within the very walls of your home just waiting to be photographed and shared. Happy Seeing!
