Updated October 2020
Dear Sholom residents, family members, employees, and community members,
As you know, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought change and disruptions to the lives of everyone around the world. At Sholom, we are working diligently to put appropriate protocols and procedures in place to keep residents, tenants, and staff as safe as possible. To keep everyone in our community apprised of the changes made over the past weeks, here’s what we have implemented:
Modified Visitor Policy
Because of the high incidence of COVID-19 among the senior population, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), and other leading health care organizations early on recommended senior care centers to restrict visitors. On March 11, 2020, a no visitor policy was implemented at Sholom. Over time, window and outdoor visitation appointments became available for residents and their families. On October 17, 2020, the visitation policy was further modified to include in-person visitation in designated areas by appointment based upon 14 days of no new COVID-19 cases at the location where visitation will occur and positivity rates of the surrounding area. MDH also provides the senior care organization the discretion to restrict visitors based on non-compliance to infection prevention policies, visitor to staff ratios, visitor symptoms, resident COVID-19 status, etc. Our goal is to provide a careful and strategic re-introduction of visitation to Sholom’s locations. This policy remains in place for the Ackerberg West Campus in St. Louis Park, Menorah Plaza Apartments and the Shaller East Campus in St. Paul.
Masking Procedures
All Sholom employees, working or providing care, must wear the appropriate, assigned masks and eye protection at all times while on duty. There are no exceptions to this procedure. Independent health care providers, including home health care aides and licensed private health care providers, must also wear masks at all times and are responsible for providing their own masks.
Screening Procedures
All Sholom employees are screened and temped (have their temperature taken) prior to coming on their shift; any employee not meeting screening considerations are sent home for proper care and restrictions as necessary. There are no exceptions to this procedure. Independent health care providers, including home health care aides and licensed private health care providers, are also screened and temped by Sholom staff prior to entering Sholom properties. If they do not meet the screening considerations, they too are sent home.
Pharmacy and Medicine Deliveries
All pharmacy deliveries are made to specific secure and designated places at each Sholom facility. Deliveries are screened and delivered to residents or nursing stations by screened staff members.
Other Resident Deliveries
All other resident deliveries, including gift baskets, packages, food, etc., are made to specific, secure, and designated places at each Sholom location during regular business hours. Deliveries are screened and delivered to resident rooms by screened staff members as needed.
Modified Gatherings and Movements
Sholom has modified resident gatherings and group dining activities to accommodate physical distance requirements as well as accommodate changes in COVID-19 status in the building.
Communicating With Residents
Sholom encourages ongoing communication with your loved one by family members, friends, and members of the community through electronic communication means such as cell phone, Zoom or Skype calls. These communications can be arranged through Sholom. Please contact Sholom’s Therapeutic Recreation Directors, Barb Gutzmann bgutzmann@sholom.com at the Shaller Campus in St. Paul or Sammi White swhite@sholom.com at the Ackerberg Campus in St. Louis Park or Keaton Judy at kjudy@sholom.com at Menorah Plaza to assist in coordinating a time to connect with your loved one.
Pre-Established Treatment Areas
Ahead of any specific need, Sholom established designated areas on each campus for residents who test positive for COVID-19 but don’t need hospitalization and for future hospital discharges (if needed to free up hospital beds). These areas are in specific locations so skilled staff with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) can provide care.
Medically Necessary Appointments
Residents with medical appointments deemed necessary by their primary doctor can attend appointments using approved medical transportation. Sholom staff can help arrange appropriate transportation and screening for re-entry back into Sholom. Residents are given a mask to wear while out at appointment.
Resident Wellness Checks
Sholom residents that are in our care are being carefully observed by staff for any signs of illness, including coughing, shortness of breath, or elevated temperatures. Residents who exhibit any of these symptoms are carefully screened and will receive additional follow up as necessary. This ongoing monitoring will continue until further notice.
Resident Tours and Move-Ins
Sholom continues to accept new residents. New resident tours are available virtually on our website and our leasing specialists can assist with in-person tours as well as the appropriate move-ins of new residents.
Communications
During this unprecedented time, there is nothing more important than effective communication within our community. Sholom’s hotline 651-328-2500 and website www.sholom.com are updated frequently as new information becomes available. The hotline and the website remain the best sources of up-to-date information. Sholom’s leadership team is committed to being transparent and providing timely information. While privacy laws prevent the public dissemination of certain details, Sholom will continue to provide as much relevant information as possible.
And, Finally…
Remember this: We are in this together. Each and every person in every community in the world has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and everyone must continue to work together to stop the spread of this deadly virus. Please, continue to do your part and follow the social distancing, hand washing, and other guidelines set out by state and federal authorities. We are in this together!
