A True Blessing

A True Blessing

Apr 14, 2022 | Our Stories - Families

As you are well aware Mom passed early Tuesday morning. On behalf of my family, we want to thank you for the wonderful care Mom received during her time at Moravian Manor Communities. My brothers and sisters over the last few days have had nothing but praise for the people who took care of Mom (nurses and hospice), the administration, the Chaplain and the volunteers in Mom’s final hour.  Thank you so much … Moravian Manor Communities has been a true blessing and we thank God for His hand in guiding us to you in 2020.

~ Mark Beauregard

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update #49

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update #49

Apr 8, 2022 | COVID Update

Since my last update in early March, the COVID positivity numbers have continued to decline. Consequently, I am thoroughly enjoying interacting with residents in the café area. After two years of muted activity, our conversations are truly energizing (even when they are complaints)! 

On January 12, 2022, there were 233 patients in Lancaster County Hospitals who tested positive for COVID-19 (note that not all of these patients were hospitalized due to COVID symptoms). At one point, 41 patients were in Intensive Care, and 34 were on ventilators. Earlier this week, the total number of COVID-positive patients was five. Two patients were in the ICU, and both were on ventilators. Wow. That is a precipitous drop. The MMC Residential Living mask requirements were modified due to this reduction in cases. 

Today’s update will focus primarily on employee changes regarding the pandemic. Our COVID Task Force decided on Wednesday morning that the time has arrived to loosen restrictions on our staff not working in the skilled nursing area. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) determine the policy for skilled nursing. Below I summarize the changes. 

  • Effective Monday, April 11, no masks will be required of MMC employees if they are not in the skilled nursing footprint. However, employees, and all who enter skilled nursing (HH, HHS, HC and HCS) footprint are still required to wear masks. 
  • Personal Care and Assisted Living are not skilled care areas so masks are not required. 
  • MMC must weekly test employees who have not received an initial booster vaccine. There are no makeup times/dates for this testing. 
  • MMC still requires employees to wear a mask if they receive a medical or religious exemption. The masking requirement for non-vaccinated staff mimics our flu shot policy. 

After two years of universal masking for our employees, the masking policy change is significant. Both our protocols for residents and staff are open to change. As we know, COVID moves in mysterious ways, and we likely will be faced with changes in the future. 

I also recognize that not everyone is “at the same place” regarding restrictions. Employees must respect other residents’ and staff’s wishes. If I am speaking with a resident and they would prefer me to “mask up,” please tell me, and I will gladly put on a mask. That is how a healthy community functions. 

Recently, I’ve been receiving questions about booster shots. Precisely, when do I get my second booster shot? Phoebe Pharmacy’s primary focus is getting the first booster shots into people. The FDA has approved the second booster shot for folks who are more than four months out from their first booster shot. Donna Gerofsky, RN Nursing Education Coordinator and Infection Preventionist, contacted Phoebe Pharmacy and they are looking to offer 2nd booster clinics in early May. We need to ascertain the level of residential interest in another booster clinic. 

While it is most likely inappropriate to celebrate the end of COVID, it is appropriate to celebrate where we are today. Today, things are great. Time to get out and socialize! Thank you for your support and flexibility during the past two years. 

Mildred Bender Honorees Named for 2022

Mildred Bender Honorees Named for 2022

Mar 11, 2022 | Community

On Monday, February 28, managers, trustees, friends, and family honored the 2022 Mildred Bender Award recipients at a luncheon in the Garden Court Dining on the Founders Campus. Recognized for their outstanding service are:

  • Donna Wetzel, Resident
  • D. Michael Byler, Volunteer
  • Melissa Hevener, Employee

Exemplifying a Spirit of Ministry to Others

The Mildred L. Bender Memorial Fund was established by a loving and grateful family in tribute to a woman whose life and work exemplified a spirit of ministry to others. A life-long member of the Moravian Church, Mrs. Bender spent her final years as a resident of Moravian Manor Communities, where her comfort and concern for others left a lasting impression. Following her death in 1994, a memorial fund was set up in an effort to perpetuate the cherished values she held so dear.

There are two purposes of the fund:

  1. Annually recognize the outstanding service of a Moravian Manor Communities’ resident, volunteer, and employee who best exemplify the ministry, mission, and core values of MMC.
  2. Assist MMC residents needing financial assistance.

Donna WetzelMrs. Donna Wetzel (Resident)

Donna, her husband Jim, and four-legged friend Mia, joined MMC as Pioneers in the first phase of the Warwick Woodlands campus in January 2017.

As a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN),  Donna’s spirit of “helping others” was evident from the beginning. She was most interested in the Lamplighters auxiliary and how she could use her keen eye for up-cycling and crafts to benefit their ministry for raising funds for benevolent care … while providing a resource for cards, gifts, and second-hand treasures for others.

Donna has led our Lamplighters through a transition of leadership. During this time, she and her team have revived and grown the “Lemon Street Boutique” and “Snowy Owl Gift Shop” through COVID-19.

The Lamplighters have many fundraising opportunities for all to participate in, such as the Gift Shop, Artisan Porch Sales, Zook’s Pie sale…Donna is always thinking of others. How to serve others. That is her “business plan.” Though it’s not all “business” for Donna…it’s all about how to serve and provide for others.

Her leadership has brought the Lamplighters into the next generation of finding ways to creatively fund our benevolent services and wish list. A WIN-WIN!

Donna Wetzel exemplifies the Mildred Bender Award and the mission and ministry of Moravian Manor Communities

Mr. D. Michael Byler (Volunteer)

How do MMC staff and residents describe Michael?

  • “Mr. Byler has been a faithful volunteer. His energy, enthusiasm, and friendliness are contagious. He is a true asset.”
  • “Michael is always here for the residents. Talking with them, sharing his stories, and listening to their stories.”
  • “I believe his presence is an extra “gift” for the male residents, who are most likely to encounter more female than male companionship.”
  • “Michael makes social interaction with anyone and everyone look effortless. Everyone is a friend.”

Michael Byler has been a volunteer at MMC since 2017, visiting residents in the care areas on the Founder’s campus. After MMC reopened in April 2021, Michael returned to visit old friends and make some new ones, which he does easily. He is as at home in Herrnhut as he is in the Health Center. It is rare to find this versatility in a volunteer. He is inclusive and kind. That is why people use words like “dedicated,” “an asset,” and “a friend” to describe him. Many thanks for sharing your time and gifts with MMC residents and staff.

Michael Byler exemplifies the Mildred Bender Award and the mission and ministry of Moravian Manor Communities

Melissa HevenerMs. Melissa Hevener (Employee)

As the Senior Unit Secretary and a member of the MMC staff for 41 years, Melissa has shown a strong commitment to excellence during her years of service. She has demonstrated a dedication to the mission and has shown resilience in the face of numerous changes and challenges throughout the years.

She is praised by her nurses for her efficiency and knowledge in managing orders, admissions, and discharges and for her ability to navigate systems to find relevant clinical information in a time-sensitive fashion. She is praised for her initiative and attention to detail. These traits are extremely helpful in maintaining a strong reputation for compliance during surveys.

Melissa has altered her schedule voluntarily on a number of occasions, such as weekends and off hours, to help with admissions and testing.

The doctors, administrators, infection control specialist, her supervisor, the MDS department, and charge nurses have all come to trust in and appreciate her ability to provide guidance and assistance in numerous clinical duties. Melissa has been recognized and praised by many for the quality of training she provides to RNs and LPNs in navigating various health portals.

Call offs are rare with Melissa, and she has been a steady force through even the most challenging of times.

Melissa Hevener exemplifies the Mildred Bender Award and the mission and ministry of Moravian Manor Communities.

Jill Wanga – Excellence in Customer Care

Jill Wanga – Excellence in Customer Care

Mar 9, 2022 | Excellence in Care

Jill Wanga, Certified Dementia Practitioner
Activities Staff

As a Certified Dementia Practitioner, when working in the Herrnhut Community, Jill uses her training and years of experience to engage residents, who are no longer communicative, in a meaningful way. Jill has won the trust of many residents including those who tend to be more introverted than others.

One of Jill’s strengths is her ability to share in quality one-to-one visits with residents regardless of their cognitive status. She also strives to come up with new and interesting programming that meets the needs of residents. Some examples of her programs to engage residents include her “Prayer and Share” group, which is meant to complement MMC’s current spiritual offerings through discussing scripture, giving residents an opportunity to talk about struggles they might be having and using the support of those in the group through prayer. Another example is her “Neighbor-to-Neighbor” visits, where she asks one of the residents to pass out puzzles or food door-to-door. This allows residents to make connections with their neighbors on the floor and has led to residents doing room visits on their own to chat and say hello.

Thank you, Jill, for your dedication to Excellence in Customer Care!

About the Excellence in Customer Care Recognition Program:

Moravian Manor Communities takes pride in maintaining a strong set of standards and ethics, delivering superior services that make a difference in the daily lives of residents. Through the Excellence in Customer Care recognition program, MMC’s leadership and management team nominate and acknowledge the contributions made by team members who rise to challenges and go above and beyond the call of duty.