MMC residents took part in a cooking demo virtually this afternoon via ZOOM with Executive Chef Derek Miller and Jennifer Shutt, Director of Community Services.
Coming live from The Owl’s Nest Restaurant & Sippery, Chef Derek prepared Chicken & Rice Skillet…recipe provided for your enjoyment!
From: David Swartley, President/CEO
Date: January 13, 2021
RE: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update #36
Happy New Year!
I am writing to update you on the latest information regarding COVID-19 cases at Moravian Manor Communities and update you on the vaccine administration.
Last week, we learned that two employees tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday. Both employees are part of our dining staff; they are both self-quarantining and feeling well. One employee works in our Owl’s Nest restaurant. While positive tests are unsettling, it also highlights why proper employee use of PPE is essential.
No additional skilled, assisted living, or personal care residents have tested positive for COVID-19. To our knowledge, there are no active cases in our residential living community.
Vaccine administration is gaining pace in our state and country. As of Monday, January 11, 10,860 vaccines (first dose) have been administered in our county. 936 Lancaster County residents have already received their second dose. While the numbers are still small, two percent of our county’s population has received their first vaccination. To put this into perspective, Lancaster County reached this same infection rate (10,861 positive cases) on November 7, 2020. The vaccination program will work much, much faster than attaining herd immunity through community spread. This point gives me optimism!
We have been given three vaccination dates for our Assisted Living and Personal Care residents. They will occur on February 2, February 23, and March 16. Presently, we still have not been able to secure a commitment to vaccinate our residential living residents.
My most frequent calls have been from residential living residents asking when they will receive their vaccination. I share in your frustration, and will provide updates as we gain more information.
Our first vaccination clinic was well received with over 50 residents in skilled nursing and more than 90 employees receiving their first dose on January 4. I received my first dose; my only reaction was a slightly sore arm. I have had more annoying mosquito bites!
Our team continues to test two times per week. The two times/week testing will continue until the Lancaster County positivity rate is below ten percent. Currently, the rate is 14 percent.
Our Medical Director keeps us apprised of the CDC’s latest recommendations regarding the vaccine and other developments. Moravian Manor Communities continues to follow all infection control protocols stipulated by the PA Dept. of Health and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for dealing with the new Coronavirus.
For those of you seeking additional information, continuous updates are available at the following websites:
You can also email specific questions to:
Doing our part! Yesterday, CVS Health administered the first Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for 93 team members. Approximately 50 Health Center residents participated as well. The vaccine was available to all staff and skilled nursing residents on a completely voluntary basis.
Said CEO David Swartley, “The CVS team arrived on Monday morning and were quickly in action. Our employees and residents seemed very eager to participate. All of us are eager to return to ‘normal’ as soon as we are able!”
Part 2 of the vaccine will be administered on January 25. As well, staff and Health Center residents who did not receive part 1, may still receive it that day too.
From: David Swartley, President/CEO
Date: December 24, 2020
RE: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update #35
I am writing to give an update on the latest information regarding COVID-19 cases at Moravian Manor Communities.
This past week has been much quieter in our skilled area. An additional resident tested positive on our memory care neighborhood who was asymptomatic and has been discharged home. We have had no additional COVID-19 related deaths. We all realize that when COVID-19 arrives in a memory care neighborhood, one is in for a difficult journey. While any unexpected loss of life is too much, many facilities have had it run wild and have had a much higher death rate than we have experienced thus far. I want to extend my gratitude to our team for making the best of a very challenging situation. It takes every department following our protocols to have such an outcome.
It is also noteworthy that the other residents who tested positive for COVID-19 have moved through their precaution period. Moving through precautions means the residents can be out of their rooms and experience a bit of normalcy in their days. It is truly great news for both the residents and the team members in the Herrnhut neighborhood.
We also have had our tenth Residential Living positive case. This resident is in asymptomatic quarantine in a Carriage home on the Warwick Woodlands Campus.
Our team continues to test two times per week. Since our last update, three additional employees have tested positive for COVID-19. All are at home in self-quarantine.
Please continue to remember our resident family members and team members as they grieve the recent loss of life. There is seldom a good time to say goodbye. During the holidays, the goodbyes can be even more poignant.
As you enter another important holiday and time for celebration, please make sure to continue social distancing, wearing masks, and washing your hands. If you can introduce some fresh air into your home, please do that as well. We are still anticipating our first vaccines being administered next week. I am eager to receive my gift of a vaccine!
I wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.
Our Medical Director keeps us apprised of the CDC’s latest recommendations regarding the vaccine and other developments. Moravian Manor Communities continues to follow all infection control protocols stipulated by the PA Dept. of Health and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for dealing with the new Coronavirus. I believe that our recent infection control survey confirms that our team is following the best guidelines available.
For those of you seeking additional information, continuous updates are available at the following websites:
Pennsylvania Department of Health: www.health.pa.gov
Center for Disease Control: www.cdc.gov
You can also email specific questions to:
Dr. Lynn Swisher, NHA, Vice President of Health Services, lynns@moravianmanor.org
Donna Gerofsky, RN, ICP, donnag@moravianmanor.org
December 22, 2020 — Senior officials for Moravian Manor Communities, Luthercare, and Pleasant View Communities are pleased to announce a new partnership with Pleasant View Communities in their jointly-owned and operated home care agency, Your Neighborhood Connection.
J. David Swartley, CEO of Moravian Manor Communities; Carl R. McAloose, CEO of Luthercare; and Jonathan E. Hollinger, CEO of Pleasant View Communities each share in the mission, benefits and importance of home care and in-home supportive services to each of their communities as well as the surrounding area.
According to Mr. McAloose, “Having another excellent partner join Your Neighborhood Connection enables us to more fully care for not only our individual resident communities, but also brings additional high-quality resources and care givers to the greater Lititz area and surrounding communities. I am personally thrilled to have Pleasant View share in our collective vision!”
Said Mr. Swartley, “I am very excited to have Pleasant View Communities join Your Neighborhood Connection. The combination of three, solid, faith-based organizations will continue to build on our goal of servicing the broader community in addition to our residents. Collaboration enables us to continue to offer excellent services at the best price possible. It is likely that this model will lead to greater areas of collaboration in the future. I commend the visionary leadership of all three ministries as we strive to grow into the future.”
Mr. Hollinger stated, “The landscape of senior living is changing rapidly. There is an increasing desire to age in place as well as a growing need for care in the home. Partnering with Luthercare and Moravian Manor Communities helps each organization be better stewards of existing resources and provide a larger breadth of services to the greater community.”
All three confirmed that regarding their vision for the collaboration, there will be a continuing commitment to serving the unmet and underserved needs of the area’s senior population.
Your Neighborhood Connection, with offices located at 706 Rothsville Road, Lititz, offers a comprehensive range of companion care services, personal care services, and memory care and end-of-life supportive services. Additionally, Your Neighborhood Connection is one of very few agencies to offer Licensed Practical Nurse Services to allow for administration of some medications and treatments.