Landis Communities Update
May 11, 2020
If you are following the local news, you may have heard that several government officials who oversee Lancaster County have sent a letter to Governor Wolf indicating their intent to bypass the current designation by the State of Pennsylvania and move Lancaster from the Red to the Yellow phase of re-opening on Friday, May 15.
As an organization, Landis Communities believes that this is not in the best interest of our residents, clients and team members. We have provided our response to the officials and asked for clarification on the elements of their plan, primarily regarding access to and funding for testing as well as providing personal protective equipment. We are also in consultation with other retirement communities and senior service organizations in Lancaster to identify their concerns with moving forward too quickly.
In the Red phase, the Stay at Home order remains in effect. Travel is allowed only for life-sustaining purposes. When a move is made to the Yellow phase, some businesses are allowed to open, although hair dressers, gyms and pools remain closed. Schools remain closed but child care centers begin to open. Restaurants remain take-out or delivery only and large groups are still not allowed to gather. Face coverings should continue to be worn. In the green phase, all businesses would be allowed to open as
long as they follow the guidelines of the CDC. See below for further details.
Personal Care and Healthcare regulations remain in effect throughout both the Red and Yellow phases. These areas must adhere to strict protocols for licensed care.
Landis Homes leadership is working on a five-phase plan for re-opening Residential Living – Red, Orange, Yellow, Blue, Green. Should Lancaster County moves to the Yellow phase on May 15, similar recommendations may be made for other Landis Communities affiliates. We will provide more information as the week progresses.
At this time, we continue to be without a known case of COVID-19 throughout Landis Communities. No resident tests are pending at this time.
Residents, clients and family members may contact Jenny Sheckells with questions or concerns at jsheckells@landis.org or 717.381.3573. You may find other communications and videos on our website: www.landiscommunities.org/COVID
Landis Communities Update
April 22, 2020
We shared in our last update that the Boards of Landis Communities have established a Coronavirus Emergency Fund and set a goal to raise $250,000 before the end of the fiscal year on June 30. Board Members and Leadership Team have pledged 100% participation in support of the fund and are encouraged by the generous response we have seen in a short amount of time. More than $75,000, or about 1/3 of the goal, has already been committed! For your awareness, a letter is being mailed today to those in the greater community who may wish to join the campaign. Thank you to all who care deeply for Landis Communities and have chosen to be part of this effort. We have a strong tradition of generosity and have been so blessed by the joyful giving of many over the years. At every significant point in our history, contributions of time, talent and resources have been poured out and have brought us to where we are today. We are so very thankful to each one who partners with us as we seek to grow as a community of Christ-like love!
Throughout Landis Communities, we remain without a known case of Coronavirus. One resident test is currently out at Landis Homes. We are not aware of any tests out at other Landis Communities locations. Each day we are grateful for this incredible news! It is important that we not get complacent even though we may be growing weary of the change in our everyday lives. Please continue staying home, wearing masks when outside of our homes, washing our hands and maintaining physical distance to continue to limit the spread of the virus. The credit for remaining virus free goes to each of you for remaining diligent, and to each team member and their households and families. We are again so grateful!
We remain committed to keeping you informed of resident testing and known cases at any of our locations. If you have questions about something you hear that may seem unusual or appear to be a rumor, please reach out to Jenny Sheckells or a Leadership Team member for answers.
Affiliate Updates
Landis Homes
We will give an update Friday regarding how this week went for Dining Services deliveries, the LH Pantry and special orders, but we wanted to share a few quick reminders:
- Lunch orders need to be placed by 11 a.m. for same-day delivery.
- Do not call Oregon Dairy directly for any orders. These must go through Landis Homes.
- And finally, we appreciate your patience and grace as we are taking and filling your orders.
Any residents leaving campus in the past week have been stopped at the checkpoint upon return to provide their name for a follow-up call from the Residential Living team. We have found that the number of residents still leaving campus has created a volume of calls that cannot be made by the team in a timely manner. The most valuable things learned from making the calls is that education is still needed regarding the Coronavirus. A new flyer will be going to all residents returning to campus but calls will no longer be made. Again, we ask that you stay home and stay safe. Thank you for your part of our efforts to stop the spread of the virus!
Landis at Home
Letters went out recently to clients updating them on current precautions and how they can stay healthy. Caregivers are now asking clients screening questions each shift and documenting any symptoms or exposure. This allows for a more formal way to monitor and track data.
Landis Adult Day Services
Landis Adult Day Services will now remain closed through at least May 8, 2020. We continue to be glad for the work of ADS team members in various other roles across the organization.
Welsh Mountain Home
WMH continues to be COVID free. We are working on setting up video visits by appointment. Family members are encouraged to call Kaitlyn Fetter or Melissa Walton to arrange a video visit with a loved one. We have started small group activities, socially distanced and with all residents and staff wearing masks. Residents are also enjoying the outdoors, as our property is blooming and looking gorgeous this spring. We continue to find creative ways to keep life interesting and to battle the monotony of quarantine.
Pathways Institute for Lifelong Learning®
We desire to stay connected with Pathways Institute participants and have been working with a few instructors on some creative ways to provide a limited amount of course content digitally through video conferencing. We are currently testing out these options and will update you with more information about these upcoming opportunities.
No Longer Alone Family Support Group
The No Longer Alone Family Support Group will be holding its monthly meeting by Zoom on Sunday, April 26 from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. Persons interested in attending the meeting should email jalbright@landis.org or call 717-381-3500.
Residents, clients and family members may contact Jenny Sheckells with questions or concerns at jsheckells@landis.org or 717.381.3573. You may find other communications and videos on our website: www.landiscommunities.org/COVID
Larry Zook
President/CEO
Landis Communities
Michelle Rassler
Executive Director
Landis Homes
Evon Bergey
Vice President, Community Initiatives
Landis Communities
March 23, 2020
Landis Communities
Staffing
The plan for utilizing staff across the organization has begun.
- Due to the temporary closure of Landis Adult Day Services, team members have been re-deployed to other positions.
- Landis at Home staffing is strong. They are able to fill requests for care at Landis Homes and in the community as well as help in other areas where needed.
Client Notes
A special service Landis at Home has been able to provide to clients is to hand-deliver notes from family. Notes are sent electronically to team members. They print them and take them when providing care. The response has been heartwarming.
Pathways Institute for Lifelong Learning®
We recognize that with more time spent at home, there a limited options for learning. Because Pathways classes are postponed until at least April 17, Anastasia Petrovskaya is reaching out to several instructors with the request to record a presentation of the course on video. The videos would then be uploaded to an online channel/source and the links shared with Pathways participants. Stay tuned for more on this.
At this time, we are offering free resources, such as online learning, virtual tours of museums and historic sites, streams of concerts, etc. A list of free online resources for all residents and clients is below. We hope you enjoy these enriching and educational opportunities to experience the world from the comfort and safety of your home.
Free Online Resources
Online Learning: More than 450 courses from Ivy League Schools
A list of US Museums you can tour online
Virtual tours of US National Parks
Virtual Museum exhibits of the world famous masterpieces
March 19, 2020
Landis Communities Update Regarding All Affiliates
The goal of Landis Communities during this unprecedented time is to keep our residents, clients and team members safe and healthy. We continue to appreciate your support as we closely monitor the guidelines and protocols of the CDC, the State of Pennsylvania and others as we make difficult decisions. We understand you and your loved ones are impacted by these decisions so we are striving to keep you informed through the documents and videos posted on the website for each affiliate as well as at LandisCommunities.org/covid.
Today’s update is intended to give you an overview of all parts of Landis Communities and how affiliates are working together. Leaders from across the organization gather by video conference each morning to discuss important issues. Larry Zook, President/CEO of Landis Communities and members of the Leadership Team, Evon Bergey, VP of Community Initiatives and Michelle Rassler, VP of Operations/Executive Director of Landis Homes have contributed to this update.
How are the Affiliates working together and supporting each other?
There are three primary areas of collaboration:
- Screening of team members – the system for screening was developed and a process was put in place for staff to administer at all sites
- Staffing – to prepare for staff needs moving forward, a survey was conducted with all team members. We can now cross train staff and implement a process to identify needs across Landis Communities and who is available to work.
- Supplies – inventory has been accessed across Landis Communities.
Are there any concerns regarding supplies?
The reality is that supplies will likely be depleted. Each entity is ordering what they can and we have the information to request emergency allocations. We are also being creative. For example, at Landis Homes and Welsh Mountain Home, volunteers are helping to make masks.
What is happening at each affiliate?
Landis Homes
While only essential visitors are able to come to campus, we are trying to maintain as much normalcy for residents as possible. For Residential Living residents, The High Learning & Wellness Center continues to be a place
where people can connect, while maintaining appropriate six feet social distance. Although we have postponed Pathways Institute classes, the fitness area and swimming pool are open to residents at this time (with additional safety measures and frequent cleaning). This supports residents in staying healthy and having quality of life at this difficult time. In Personal Care and Healthcare, we are helping residents to find new ways to connect with loved ones. Video messaging has begun and we are working on a plan for “outside the window” times like have been seen on the news or social media. We will reach out to families soon.
Landis at Home
Landis at Home has a strong workforce that is continuing to secure clients at Landis Homes and in the community. They are observing universal precautions.
Landis Adult Day Services
Based on Governor Wolf’s recommendation, ADS closed 3/17/2020 and will remain closed through 3/31/2020. This date will be re-evaluated as it gets closer. Team members are supporting other areas of Landis Communities.
Steeple View Lofts
Residents at Steeple View Lofts are supporting each other. Non-essential visitors are discouraged and visitors and vendors are being screened.
WMH
Several cases of influenza have been identified at Welsh Mountain Home. Universal precautions are being practiced. Supplies are an issue but they are working with Landis Communities. At Mountain View Terrace, residents are practicing social distancing and discouraging visitors.
Pathways
Classes are currently postponed until April 1. More communication will be forthcoming over the next weeks.
How is the team doing?
There are many unknowns with this virus so the team is doing all they can to prepare for what could happen. At Landis Homes and Welsh Mountain Home, through Landis at Home, and at Steeple View Lofts, team members are thinking ahead and planning. They are also carefully responding to the many questions of residents and clients. As a whole, the team is fully functioning and working at high levels. Leadership is encouraging team members to care for themselves with time off to rest and refresh.
Are there messages we have heard from Board Members or Residents?
One of our Landis Communities Board members, Dr. Dan Mast, who is a physician and also chair of the Landis Homes Board, has expressed appreciation for the way everyone has come together to prepare. Dr. Mast also shared how important social distancing is to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. This is essential for the health and well-being of all who are part of Landis Communities.
Many residents, who for many years have been prayer warriors, have told us that they are praying for all residents and clients of Landis Communities and for team members. This means so much to team members as well to know they are being prayed for.
What help is needed at this time?
- Prayers
- Supplies – we may have some needs in the near future – please watch for communications
- Financial support – this will be a need moving forward. We do not know the financial impact this will have across Landis Communities, but our priority is to have the team members we need to care for residents. We will share more on this soon.
One source for personal meditation and prayer is a daily meditation from Richard Rohr. This morning he shared thoughts about the current COVID19 pandemic…
“We are in the midst of a highly teachable moment. There’s no doubt that this period will be referred to for the rest of our lifetimes. We have a chance to go deep, and to go broad. Globally, we’re in this together. Depth is being forced on us by great suffering, which as I like to say, always leads to great love.”
In these uncertain times, we can be certain that we are surrounded by God’s love. Praying that we each experience this deep love today and in the coming days.
March 12, 2020
To all Landis Adult Day Services clients and family members of clients –
Additional safety measures are being put in place, effective March 12, to limit the spread of flu and to prevent COVID-19. We understand that these changes may cause disruption to your daily life. Please know that these hard decisions are being made for the health and safety of all Landis Communities residents, team members and clients.
A Landis Communities team continues to monitor directions from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and other Federal and State entities who guide our work. Based on their recommendations, we are limiting those who visit our campus and screening all outside guests in our Residential Areas.
Please do not send your loved one to the Adult Day Center if you know of any of the following to be true:
1. Signs or symptoms of a respiratory infection, such as fever, cough, shortness of breath, or sore throat.
2. In the last 14 days, has had contact with someone with a confirmed diagnosis of
COVID-19, or under investigation for COVID-19, or are ill with respiratory illness.
3. International travel within the last 14 days to countries with sustained community transmission. For updated information on affected countries visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html
4. Residing in a community where community-based spread of COVID-19 is occurring.
Clients will continue to enter at the Eden East and Eden West (Westview) Center entrances.
We will be taking temperatures each day as clients enter the centers. As per our protocol, the family will be notified and it is expected that the client will be taken home if their temperature indicates that they do have a fever.
As an additional precaution, all non-essential campus activities with outside guests are suspended until further notice. This includes suspending any off-campus activities.
Thank you for your cooperation with these infection control protocols. We are attempting to keep your loved one free from exposure to infection. Please consider their health and safety when choosing their activities while they are away from our center as well.
Please continue to monitor Facebook, Twitter and LandisAdultDay.org for the latest information. If you have additional questions, contact Jenny Sheckells, Director of Risk Management and Compliance, at jsheckells@landis.org or
717.381.3573.
Your ongoing prayers are much appreciated. Blessings,
Faith Hoover
Director Landis Adult Day Services
