Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Update April 6, 2020
Dear Sholom residents/tenants and families,
“Life as unusual” is without a doubt difficult, and we are here to help you find ways to remain connected with your cherished family member, and gain timely information. Please continue to go to our website www.sholom.com or call our Hotline number 651-328-2500 for regular updates.
Together, we will get through this situation and we thank you for your overwhelming support as we follow the state orders and maintain stringent measures that support the goal of safety and well-being.
Today, April 6, 2020, we were notified by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) of a positive case of COVID-19 (coronavirus) in a Sholom tenant at Menorah Plaza Apartments located on 4925 Minnetonka Boulevard in St. Louis Park. Menorah Plaza is three miles from our Ackerberg campus. At this time, we do not have any confirmed cases of COVID-19 in residents or tenants at the Ackerberg St. Louis Park Campus on Phillips Parkway or the Shaller St. Paul Campus. Should this status change, we will notify you as promptly as possible.
We are following the guidance of medical professionals and Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). While we do understand the human desire to learn more, we cannot provide any additional details due to HIPAA laws that guide best practices in privacy and dignity for the individual.
In our ongoing efforts to keep any potential cases of the virus contained and to mitigate any risk of viral spread, we continue our proactive stance by developing new protocols ahead of need. Based on reports in our community and with medical guidance, we developed a specialized isolated area at each campus to care for any Sholom residents who test positive that are not in need of hospitalization. This unit will have a dedicated staff including a highly specialized registered nurse.
In addition to physical well-being, we continue to be attentive to emotional and psychological well- being of residents by providing comfort and creative engagement; keenly aware that 24/7 COVID-19 coverage and conversation risk heightened fear, known as detrimental to well-being, keeps us attune to this need. While the circumstances are challenging, residents continue to make the best of current reality.
We continue best practices in prevention through: mandatory screenings of staff and residents; the strict adherence to the no visitation policy and contained movement (staff and resident remain in their buildings and appropriate areas); use of cloth masks by direct care staff as a proactive safety protocol; supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) fulfilling current demonstrated need as we continue to obtain added supplies; and daily monitoring and planning by executive and clinical staff for all buildings with the support of updates by national, state and local medical professionals and organizations.
Our staffs are truly dedicated, working compassionately and passionately to providing the best care and services to your loved one and we truly appreciate all of your words of acknowledgement. We invite you to continue to reply to these e-blasts with your sentiments that with your permission, we will continue to share.
As mentioned in ongoing updates, one of the greatest risks relates to people who appear healthy entering our communities and potentially infecting those we serve. This also means when this population goes out into the community, they are at even greater risk for being in contact with someone who may be carrying the virus. Please, for the safety of our seniors, stay at home in accordance with the governor’s stay at home order. Our lives are in each other’s hands.
To learn more about alternative ways to connect with loved ones if you are experiencing challenges, please contact our campus therapeutic recreation directors, Barb Gutzmann at our Shaller St. Paul campus at bgutzmann@sholom.com or Sammi White at our Ackerberg St. Louis Park campus at swhite@sholom.com. They will be able to assist.
If you have general questions about the coronavirus related to your loved one, please contact your Housing Director or Campus Administrator. We are dedicated to being responsive with transparency and factually.
Sincerely,
Barbara Klick, RN, MBA Ann Thole, SW, LNHA
CEO COO