FROM: David Swartley, President/CEO DATE: June 26, 2020 RE: Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Update #20
As I have shared in previous updates, we conduct regular employee and resident COVID-19 testing in our care areas. This week, an employee in our Herrnhut area tested positive for COVID-19. The employee is asymptomatic and self-quarantined at home. At the time of this writing, our resident test results are pending.
Current testing is in addition to the mandated universal testing. The Pennsylvania Department of Health mandates universal testing for care facilities; this testing must be completed by July 24.
The topic of the day is that Lancaster County enters the Green Phase as of today. The primary purpose of this email will be to outline how this affects our services.
First and foremost, The Pennsylvania Department of Health mandates an additional 28-day restriction on visitation in skilled nursing. Our COVID-19 Task Force is already working on the procedures for visitation once we are past the 28-day moratorium. Currently, scheduled window visits are occurring in Personal Care, Assisted Living, and Skilled Nursing. These visits take place in a centrally located and controlled areas.
As we go “Green,” I believe we must remain diligent in providing a safe environment for residents and staff. I am not suggesting our county should not go “green.” I am suggesting that as things open up, we adhere to the “best practices” we have continually heard about and promoted over the past four months.
Below is a summary of the changes that will occur in Residential Living:
Dining:
Garden Court Dining Room: Service for only Garden Court Residents will resume on Monday, June 29. Reservations are required. Two seating’s will occur at 4:30 and 5:30. In two weeks, we will revisit opening the Garden Court Dining Room to the broader campus.
Owls Nest: Inside seating will begin on June 29. Reservations are required. Three seating’s will occur at 4:00, 5:30, and 7:00; there is no bar seating and 50% capacity. The Owls Nest is also open for lunch; no reservations needed.
Café: Will continue to operate as we are currently.
Salon: Services will resume for Assisted Living, Personal Care, and Skilled Nursing residents. No services will be provided to residential living residents as these areas remain restricted.
Pool/Bocce: These areas will open to our residents on Monday, June 29. Social distancing and masks will be required. Please follow disinfecting directions at each of the sites.
Library: Will remain closed. Book carts have been well received and will continue in various areas.
Outside Housekeeping: We will open this with appropriate screening in place. If you are interested in resuming this service, call or email Marcie Berhaupt for further instructions.
Signage: On the Founder’s Campus, we will replace our red “Stay At Home” signs with “Campus Closed” signs. The Pennsylvania Department of Health visitation restriction continues through the Green Phase.
SmartFit Studio: This area will open on June 29. Please make reservations for your time slot through Jennifer Shutt. Strict limitations on the number of residents using the fitness room at the same time will be enforced. Please follow disinfection directions.
Founders Campus: The main lobby at the Founders Campus is not open to residents. Please stay out of this area.
This week I read an article reviewing the pandemic published by the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). After the report, they offer the following simple reminder.
The Five C’s of COVID-19 Prevention:
Control the spread of disease by wearing masks in indoor locations or when unable to distance 6 feet.
Clean your hands and environment, early and often.
Company starts with small groups of friends and family before expanding slowly.
Consider how you can easily reduce risk by small changes to your plans.
Contain yourself at home when you or a family member is sick.
Everyone likes to boast that they have the best place to live. Undoubtably, they can even come up with a list of reasons why. However, we know that Lititz, PA is special, and that life at Moravian Manor Communities is beyond compare. And here’s why…
National & Local Recognition Says It All!
Lancaster, PA makes the 2020 Top 10 list yet again for retirement locales, according to U.S. News & World Report’s Best Places to Retire in the United States. Of note, Lancaster was Pennsylvania’s only area to make the Top 10, and it’s been in the top 10 places to retire for three years running. This poll takes into consideration how well retirement expectations are met, with measures including home affordability, desirability, health care and overall resident happiness.
Speaking of being recognized for its superior ability to support retirement lifestyles, Lititz, PA received a high Walk Score, speaking to its infrastructure as being pedestrian-friendly. For being a small, historic suburban borough, Lititz places just six points behind the likes of downtown Philadelphia! Read our recent blog “Why Walkability is Important When Choosing a Senior Living Location,” which highlights the main advantages of walkability.
Easier on the Piggy Bank!
The cost of living in Lancaster County is cheaper than the US average. In addition to lower median home prices, PA’s sales tax rings in the state within the lower end of the mid-Atlantic and Northeast region. PA is also one of 10 states that do not tax clothing, so you can take advantage of shopping the Lancaster County outlets.
Pennsylvania’s retirement-friendly tax structure also provides savings for retirees…social security, retirement accounts, and pensions for individuals 60+ are exempt from state tax. In addition, you can also keep more of your hard-earned money in your wallet in PA as the state is one of only a few that does not charge sales tax on prescription or nonprescription medications, clothing or food.
Location, Location, Location!
That old adage is true. Location is everything. Lititz is ideally situated just a short drive from major cities such as Philadelphia and Baltimore, regional cities of Lancaster, Reading and Lebanon, and other smaller historic towns like Hershey, Gettysburg and the Poconos. With these destinations so accessible, Lititz provides the perfect home base for day-trips, weekend excursions, or extended (travel by car, air or railway) to enjoy the arts, professional sports, national parks, and more.
Local Culture & Attractions!
While traveling and exploring can be fun, sometimes it’s nice to stay home and enjoy local activities. Life in Lititz is anything but boring. In fact, events are the heartbeat of Lititz! As a Lititz resident, you’ll get to experience scads of events from antique shows, farmers markets, concerts, outdoor movies in the park, car shows, the longest running Fourth of July extravaganza, chocolate walks, Second Fridays, and more. Check out the event calendar! And while there’s always something to do in Lititz, you can also enjoy the simpler pace of life that comes with being in Lancaster County.
Downtown Lititz is not only rich in history and culture, it also features a walkable downtown bursting with whimsical shops, fantastic eateries, brew pubs, tea houses and much, much more. Take a peek for more on our amazing town of Lititz!
If you like being close to it all, Moravian Manor Communities in Lititz should be on the top of your list!
FROM: David Swartley, President/CEO DATE: June 23, 2020 RE: Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Update #19
I am providing an interim update due to some developments that have occurred this week in our health center. As I have shared in previous updates, we are conducting regular employee and resident testing in our care areas.
This week, an employee in our Herrnhut area tested positive for COVID-19. The employee is asymptomatic and self-quarantined at home. We are testing all residents in Herrnhut South and Herrnhut Personal Care, areas where the employee worked. At this point, no residents are exhibiting any symptoms of COVID-19. This testing is in addition to the mandated universal testing that will occur before July 24. The Pennsylvania Department of Health mandates universal testing for care facilities; this testing must be completed by July 24.
I suspect as our testing increases, this will become a more frequent occurrence. Frequent testing is a proactive measure to track the virus in our facility and community.
Wear your masks when out and about. Wash your hands frequently. Please don’t get careless. As Lancaster County enters the “Green Phase,” let’s do our part in making sure that we minimize the chances of a resurgence and continue to keep the residents and staff of Moravian Manor Communities safe.
I will share further verbal updates on our resident ZOOM call on Thursday morning.
FROM: David Swartley, President/CEO DATE: June 19, 2020 RE: Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Update #18
Since my last update, there have been no residents or employees who have tested positive for COVID-19. Our weekly testing began on June 8. Last week we tested 43 employees and 27 residents. All test results were negative. This week we tested 38 employees and 27 residents. The test results are pending.
At our Resident Association Meeting on June 18, I shared several data points and graphs. Our COVID-19 Task Force is concerned about increased spread as venues open. Carelessness will not yield good results. Much like being successful in a sport, do not forget the fundamentals that we have stressed since Update Number One.
It seems appropriate to quote Jesse Owens on Juneteenth Day, the oldest known celebration honoring the end of slavery in the United States. He said, “In the end, it is the extra effort that separates a winner from second place. But winning takes a lot more that, too. It starts with complete command of the fundamentals. Then it takes desire, determination, discipline, and self-sacrifice. And finally, it takes a great deal of love, fairness, and respect for your fellow man. Put all these together, and even if you don’t win, how can you lose?” I believe this quote clearly states what our behavior and attitude needs to be to remain successful.
This past week, the residents in our care areas have enjoyed scheduled window visits. Many emotional visits have occurred, and the week went very well. For those of you in residential living, I trust that you have enjoyed reconnecting with family and friends in a less restrictive environment.
Today, Governor Wolf announced that 12 more counties, including Lancaster County, is moving to the “Green Phase” on Friday, June 26. We will offer more guidance…moving into the Green Phase.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health is not reopening visits to skilled nursing areas when a county turns green. There is a required delay that we must follow. In the meantime, our team is preparing for the time when we can once again offer traditional visitation and will implement procedures designed to keep everyone safe.
Concerning fundamentals, I re-share an earlier document I received from Carla Weidman, a resident on the Warwick Woodlands campus.
Thank you for your work in helping keep Moravian Manor Communities a safe place to live and to work.
June is National Cataract Awareness Month. The eye doctors with On-Site Health Serviceis proud to provide all residents of Moravian Manor Communities complete medical eye care for early detection and treatment of cataracts.
Cataracts are age-related changes that occur to the lens inside the eye. They cause blurry or hazy vision, haloes, faded colors and light-sensitivity.
As summer is upon us, here are some things you can do to help protect your eyes:
SUN PROTECTION: UV light is a major contributor to the formation of cataracts. We can prescribe sunglasses that block UV-A and UV-B light and fit closely to the face. Sunglasses and a hat with a brim provide additional protection and reduces the glare that developing cataracts cause.
DIET: Foods rich in Vitamin C and E are good for the eyes. Green leafy vegetables, tomatoes, citrus fruits, and peppers are good choices.
STOP SMOKING: Smoking kills off the good chemicals and produces toxins that can lead to the formation of cataracts.
BLOOD SUGAR CONTROL: If you are diabetic, controlling your blood sugar is essential. In terms of cataract formation, diabetics are at greater risk for their development.
On-Site Health Service provides mobile healthcare programs — comprehensive optometry, ophthalmology, dentistry, oral surgery, audiology and podiatry — to residents in independent living communities, assisted living, skilled nursing, senior day care, private residences and other settings. With 35 years of service, they have been a trusted partner of Moravian Manor Communities for five years, providing on-site care to residents on campus here in Lititz. To learn more about their services, visitwww.onsitehealthservice.com.
