Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update Posted on May 30, 2023May 30, 2023 Lutheran SeniorLife is actively involved in protecting those we serve, and our staff, from coronavirus (COVID-19). To learn more about what is being done within each of our communities and programs, please read our update below. Vaccine Compliance Update Lutheran SeniorLife and the LIFE Program appreciates family member and participant questions about the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate. As you may be aware, the CMS COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate requires all healthcare employees within programs certified by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to be fully vaccinated or have been approved for a medical or religious exemption. Lutheran SeniorLife has developed and adopted policies and procedures in compliance with the CMS COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate. All new and current Lutheran SeniorLife, LIFE Program staff members, contract/agency workers, volunteers, students, trainees, physicians, and practitioners, who work directly with or who come in contact with those who work directly with participants (regardless of clinical responsibility of patient/resident/participant contact) are required to either establish they have been fully vaccinated or obtain an approved exemption. All staff members are required to comply with safety measures such as: wearing appropriate personal protective equipment, social distancing, adherence to infection control procedures, and following mitigation procedures and best practices to ensure the safety of our participants and staff. Lutheran SeniorLife and the LIFE program will continue to comply with all state and local laws, guidance issued by the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Service, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other public health and licensing authorities, as applicable to ensure appropriate application of the CMS COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate and guidance. Lutheran SeniorLife and the LIFE program leadership team will continue to keep patients, residents, and participants abreast of any updates or changes to the CMS COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate. Employees/contract/agency staff who do not fulfill one of these two requirements listed above will be placed on an unpaid suspension. Lutheran SeniorLife is fully committed to becoming 100% compliant with the CMS vaccine mandate. St. John Community Visitor Protocols RoseCrest Plan for Reopening View St. John Community’s case data here. Passavant Community Visitor Protocols View Passavant Community’s case data here. Advanced Care Center of Butler View ACC case data here. ACC Visitor Protocols Lutheran Service Society The adoption and foster care program remains open for all services and is following the Department of Human Services and local county Children, Youth and Families (CYF) offices guidelines. PrimeTime Senior Center is open for 1:1 services (reservations are required). In addition, the team is delivering grab and go meals and offering a digital literacy program. Staff are on-site if you have any questions and are planning for a soft re-opening upon county approval. Center at the Mall Senior Center remains temporarily closed. However, a walking club is meeting two days a week, online exercise resources are available, and grab and go meals are available. The Home-delivered meal program remains in effect. Staff are available via phone Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Meals-On-Wheels is providing daily meals on a modified delivery schedule. Independent living residents residing in our senior housing facilities are being asked to follow the recommended CDC guidelines. Referrals are being accepted. VNA, Western Pennsylvania Visiting nurses are continuing to make physician-ordered home visits as staff follow standard precautions and have personal protective equipment for infection control. Clinicians are calling patients and performing short health screenings before each visit. Healthcare professionals are being screened each morning to ensure they are not showing any symptoms of the virus prior to visiting patients. Referrals are being accepted. LIFE Armstrong County LIFE Armstrong County is currently open and and following strict infection control guidelines. Referrals are being accepted. LIFE Beaver County LIFE Beaver County is currently open and and following strict infection control guidelines. Referrals are being accepted. LIFE Butler County LIFE Butler County is currently open and and following strict infection control guidelines. Referrals are being accepted. LIFE Lawrence County LIFE Lawrence County is currently open and and following strict infection control guidelines. Staff and participants are being screened each morning to ensure they are not showing any symptoms of the virus prior to medical appointments, interaction and participation in adult day services. Referrals are being accepted. Valley Care, Ambridge Valley Care, Ambridge is currently open and following strict infection control guidelines. Referrals are being accepted. The Commons at Stonebrook Village No visitation restrictions. Some small group activities are being conducted practicing social distancing, hand washing and mask wearing. All large group gatherings are on hold until further notice. Shopping trips and other activities are postponed; families are encouraged to make shopping trips for residents. Referrals are being accepted; personal and virtual tours available. During this time, it is also important to keep the Center for Disease Control (CDC)’s preventive measures in mind to impede the spread of all respiratory viruses: Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Stay home when you are sick. Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue; then throw the tissue in the trash. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces. Lutheran SeniorLife is in touch daily with the CDC and government agencies to make sure appropriate precautions are being implemented throughout the system. We currently abide by these standards and will continue to with extra detail to keep others healthy. The well-being of our residents, participants and staff remains our top priority as we remember that the hindrance of contagious diseases is everyone’s responsibility. To see the steps we are taking to keep residents, employees, and patients safe, visit our WearWashWatch page here.