We have one positive COVID-19 staff at Bentson Family Assisted Living, therefore we are suspending in-person visits with the exception of essential and compassionate care visits at this location.  We will re-evaluate after we have completed two full rounds of testing of staff and residents with consecutive, negative test results.  Additionally, there are two residents that are positive for COVID-19 at Menorah West. 

As the state of Minnesota continues to roll out COVID-19 vaccinations for additional Minnesotans, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has released updated guidelines for visitation in senior communities.  This includes all Sholom locations.

If the Sholom location you are planning to visit is NOT in outbreak testing (be sure to verify on website or Sholom hotline at 651-328-2500 for outbreak status) please note the following regarding visitation:

• You will no longer need to schedule your visit in advance
• • If the Sholom location you are planning to visit is conducting outbreak testing for COVID-19, only essential and compassionate caregivers are able to come in and must to be scheduled
• Screening is required for entrance, you must wear a face covering, maintain six feet of physical distance with others, wash hands frequently
  • All visitors are expected to wear a mask. If you are unable to wear a mask, you must conduct your visit outside.
• Your visit is no longer limited to two hours however, Sholom is required to manage the number of visitors in each building so you may be asked to wait. If there is a high demand for visits we may ask that your visit be limited to accommodate all visitors.
• The number of visitors per resident is limited to the visitors being able to maintain infection control guidelines such as physical distancing within the space that they are in.
• If your family member has a roommate, we ask that you pre-arrange your visit with social services so that the appropriate space can be coordinated.
• You cannot join meal service, activities or visit in common areas. Visits must occur in resident rooms or outdoors.
• If you are sick, stay home

As more and more people are vaccinated and new guidelines are released from CDC or MDH, we will keep you posted on any changes. Until then, thank you for your continued vigilance to prevent the spread of COVID-19!

 Do I Still Need to Wear a Mask and Social Distance?

YES! We need to continue wearing face masks and maintaining physical distancing to protect others.   You may still contract COVID-19 after receiving the vaccine and you may become ill, however, your symptoms will be less severe.  Additionally, you could have COVID, have no symptoms and possibly pass the virus on to someone else.

You can expect senior care organizations like Sholom, hospitals and clinics to continue to follow these guidelines. Staff will still wear personal protective equipment (PPE) and visitation will be limited in health care facilities, including Sholom.

For the most up to date information, please refer to www.sholom.com and click on the COVID link at the top of the page.

Our priority is to keep everyone safe and healthy. The ultimate goal to ending this pandemic is by vaccinating as many individuals as quickly as possible against COVID-19. Until then, thank you for your continued vigilance to prevent the spread of COVID-19!

Thank you for your commitment to our community. Together, we’re moving toward a COVID-free future.

Barbara Klick, RN, MBA, Sholom CEO