Last Friday, Minnesotans were asked to shelter in place from Friday, March 27th through Friday, April 10th. This executive order comes with the best interest of all Minnesotans in mind, and allows essential workers to continue providing essential services. Rest assured, Ebenezer staff are considered essential workers, and we will be on the job working to ensure the health and safety of our residents.
 
Our communities are working closely with MHealth Fairview preparing for various challenges related to COVID19. We are fortunate that our Coronavirus supply lines are good and we have reserves. Being in partnership with Fairview Health Services provides us with valuable information, insight and resources as Ebenezer continues to do everything within our power to keep our residents and staff safe and healthy.
 
Our new normal, in light of the executive order, means you may have questions about how the Governor’s orders will affect your loved ones at Ebenezer.  
 
Groceries & Essential Household Supplies:

• Family Members may deliver groceries to the front door of the community and a staff member will get it to the resident’s apartment. Please label the deliveries with Name and room number.
• You can order groceries to be delivered to the front door of many of our communities through a professional grocery or supply delivery service, such as Amazon, Shipt or Instacart. A staff member will deliver the groceries or supplies up to the resident’s apartment.

 
Medication Set Up:

• During the Shelter in Place order, family members who are setting up medications will need to set up medications outside of the Ebenezer community where their loved one lives. Medication boxes can then be delivered to the front door, and a staff member will deliver the medication box up to the resident’s apartment.
• If you have questions regarding medication set up or services, please contact the Director of Health Services at your loved one’s location.

 
Home Care, Hospice, Lab, X-Ray:

• These essential services will continue as they have been. This means any essential service worker will still need to pass a temperature check and health screening before visiting residents.

 
Engagement & Connection:

• For their protection during this health crisis, we are asking our residents not to leave the community or their apartments. If you have a question about a specific appointment or reason to leave the community, please contact your community.
• Group activities, programs and outings remain cancelled for our Independent and Assisted Living residents. We continue to find ways to engage residents in our Dimensions Memory Care Community, while still practicing social distancing.
• Our dedicated activities staff are coming up with new and fun activities such as hallway bingo, hallway games and other activities that maintain social distance, or virtual activities that residents can participate in while remaining in their own apartments.
• Staff members are assisting with Video Chat options for residents and their loved ones to stay connected. This is a heavily requested form of engagement, so thank you in advance for your patience as we make our best effort to accommodate all requests.
• If your loved one does not have a tablet, cell phone or laptop, please consider providing one for them to use during this time.  If you or your loved one would like to participate in a video chat, but need assistance in set up please reach out to us. Please understand many are trying to connect with their loved ones so there may be times of diminished video capacity. We recommend combination of phone calls in addition to video chat if that is your preferred method. 
• Finally, you can help us by designating one person in your family as primary point of contact with our team members if you have questions or concerns during the COVID-19 crisis. We are committed to keeping you in the know about your loved one and it’s much easier if only one person per family contacts us.

 
Ebenezer thanks you for doing your part to help us keep our community safe, healthy, and connected. We know that our resident population is at higher risk for severe illness, which is why we have already taken (and will continue to take) steps to protect our community. If you would like more information about this, visit the CDC website
 
It is so important to show empathy and compassion in every interaction we have during this challenging and unprecedented time. Practice self-care through healthy eating, exercise, and getting enough sleep. Stay in contact with your loved ones, and support each other from afar. It is during difficult times that we demonstrate our perseverance, resilience, and strength. This too shall pass - remember that we will get through this. We are all in this together.
 
The common goal we all share at this time is to keep our residents safe and healthy.  Thank you for being a part of the Ebenezer family.

With the rising number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in Minnesota and the dwindling number of supplies available to healthcare workers across our system, we want to make sure we’re doing what we can to best support this need. We are asking those within our organization and across the state of Minnesota to help. If you have been given the gift of sewing, we implore you assist in creating face masks to protect our healthcare workers. 
Ebenezer will be taking these donated masks and delivering them to healthcare systems in need. 

Fabric masks should be dropped off in re-sealable plastic bags to:
Ebenezer Corporate Office, 2722 Park Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55407
Hours for Drop-off:  9:00 am – 3:00 pm | Ring doorbell for service
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Below is necessary information on infection prevention as well as directions on how to create the masks. Thank you for your help and consideration during this time of great need.

Important infection prevention
Before starting this project, please ask yourself the following questions:

1. Have you been in contact with anyone suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 in the past 14 days?
2. Do you have fever, cough or shortness of breath?

If you are able to answer "NO" to both questions, then proceed with making masks.
If you answer "YES" to either or both questions, please DO NOT make masks. If you are experiencing cough, fever, or shortness of breath and have a concern that you may have COVID-19 please call your primary care provider for a risk assessment.


How to Make a Face Mask
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Materials Front:  100% unused cotton fabric – no metallic fabrics Back:  100% unused cotton or cotton flannel Attachment: 1/8”, 1/4”, or 3/8” flat elastic OR Four 15” x 1/4” inch bias-tape style ties (no raw edges)
(Note: The instructions list three sizes: Small, Medium, and Large. We would recommend making Small- and Medium-sized masks primarily. If possible, making a few Large masks would be helpful as well.  See instructions for cutting sizes.) 

1. Cut two rectangles of fabric, one for the inside, one for the outside. a. Small: 7.5 x 5 inches b. Medium: 9 x 6 inches c. Large: 10 x 7 inches.
2. Cut elastic or ties.  All ties can be ¼” x 15”. You will need 4 for each mask (one for each corner).  Elastic should be cut as follows. You will need 2 pieces for each mask. a. Small: 6.5 inches b. Medium: 7 inches c. Large: 7.5 inches
3. Put right sides of cotton mask fabric together.
4. Starting at the center of bottom (long) edge, sew to the first corner, stop. Sew a piece of elastic or a fabric tie into the corner. A few stitches forward and back will hold this.
5. Sew to the next corner, stop, and bring the other end of that same elastic to the corner and sew a few stitches forward and back.  If you are using fabric ties, add a new tie.
6. Now sew across that top of the mask to the next corner. Again, put a 7” length of elastic in the corner (or a new tie).
7. Sew to the next corner and sew in the other end of the same elastic (or a new tie).
8. Sew across the bottom leaving about 1.5” to 2” open. Stop, cut the thread. 
9. Turn mask right-side out.
10. Pin 3 tucks on each side of the mask. Make sure the tucks are in the same direction.  There must be 3 tucks to ensure a tight fit on the face. 
11. Sew around the edge of the mask twice.
12. When you have finished your masks, please use a Sharpie marker to mark a 1” tall S, M, or L on the lower left corner of the inside of each mask to indicate the size.  This will help providers select the correct size. If you do not have a Sharpie, please somehow designate size for the masks before you drop them off.   

Need Supplies? Jo-Ann Fabrics is offering FREE supplies to support this need. Find a Store Near You Today!

As we navigate the new normal during this pandemic, there have reports about criminals who are seeking to take advantage of the vulnerable population during this time of need.
Here are some things to watch out for and to share with your loved one so that they don’t fall victim to heartless scams.

• Do not open your door to unknown visitors who claim to be there to help. Kasson, Stewartville, Rochester and the Twin Cities have already reported some issues with people showing up at  houses claiming to be from the CDC and doing inspections for the Coronavirus. This is a hoax! Do not let these people into your houses.

In these challenging times, it’s always good to be extra cautious. If you don’t recognize the person at the door, do not open your door.
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Leave a note on the door to  let delivery people know that they can ring the doorbell and leave the packages at the door.  

• Don’t open emails from people or organizations you don’t know or trust. Don’t click on any unfamiliar website links that you receive in an email, or any suspicious looking websites. Criminals are now pushing “Phishing scams” using website apps that pretend to track the coronavirus, but they infect and lock devices until payment is received, according to the FBI. One batch of emails sent to college students posed as official communications from University personnel offering bogus updates about closures and other coronavirus-related news. One of the most reliable sources for legitimate coronavirus-related information is this page from your state health department or your local health department.
• NEVER give out your credit card information or address over the phone. Criminals are making calls targeted at seniors and using creative ways to attempt to get your information.

There have been reports of scammers claiming to be:

• Charitable organizations
• Family members needing  help
• Coronavirus testing kit company providing free resources to seniors
• A company providing hard to obtains supplies such as Tylenol, toilet tissue or cleaning supplies. These are just a few things that we’ve heard thus far.

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If you feel that you’ve been a victim of attempted scam or fraud, you may contact Minnesota Fraud Hotline: Twin Cities metro: 651-431-3968 | Toll-free line: 800-627-9977 or visit them online.

Our goal at Ebenezer continues to be to serve as a resource and support to those in need who are living within our communities and outside of communities across Minnesota and Iowa. For Ebenezer updates information on COVID-19, visit this page!

Ebenezer’s top priority is the wellbeing and safety of our residents, patients and staff members who live and work in our communities. As part of M Health Fairview Health System, Ebenezer leaders are in ongoing collaboration to ensure best practices for all those we serve.

Ebenezer is actively screening all staff and restricting entry to those who exhibit any symptoms of respiratory infection such as fever, cough shortness of breath, or sore throat.

Ebenezer is restricting ALL visitors to our communities.  
Exceptions to this policy include family members who have loved ones in our communities who are at end stage of life, and for visiting essential care staff such as hospice providers. Each of these visitors will be screened before entering the community, and we will restrict visitation by those who meet the following criteria:

1. Persons exhibiting signs or symptoms of ANY illness, or respiratory infection such as fever, cough, shortness of breath, or sore throat
2. Persons who in the last 14 days have had contact with someone who has a confirmed diagnosis of COVID 19, or are under investigation for COVID 19, or who are ill with respiratory illness
3. Persons who have traveled internationally or who have been on cruise ships within the last 14 days to regions with sustained community transitions. For updated information on affected areas, please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronoavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index/html​

We are following the guidelines and restrictions determined by the Center for Disease Prevention (CDC) as well as the Department of Health and Human Services.
While we understand that it is difficult not to visit your loved one, we are committed to protecting the health and wellbeing of patients and residents. We encourage you to visit with your loved one by phone or other digital platforms. We will continue to provide timely updates for you here. Please check back often.

​Thank you for you patience and understanding as we navigate through these challenging times.

​At Ebenezer, we strive to keep our employees and those entrusted to our care safe—even as the reported numbers of the Coronavirus or COVID19 continue to climb. Therefore, our communities continue to be on very restricted visiting and will follow the latest CDC guidance for protecting our elderly populations.
 
If you think you or a loved one might have been exposed to, or are exhibiting symptoms of the Coronavirus, we encourage you to read through the CDC tip sheet. You may find the information reassuring as well as informative.
 
Additionally, those who are sick, who have known exposure to COVID-19, or those who have traveled internationally in the last 14 days, or who have been on a cruise ship the last 14 days, will not be admitted to our buildings.   

Please note that The Governor of Minnesota has declared a State of Emergency to assist in the planning and coordination of the response to the Coronavirus, as well as funding for needed supplies.
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Remember to always wash your hands—this is one of those simple steps you and yours can take each day to STOP the spread of COVID19 and other communicable illnesses like colds and Influenza! Thanks for you for helping us to keep our residents safe! 

Effective March 12th, Visitor Restrictions have been updated to reflect Enhanced Visitor Restrictions
We will be implementing the following enhanced COVID-19 visitor restrictions in our communities effective immediately, March 12th, 2020.
Only essential visitors are allowed; all other visitors are not allowed.

• Essential visitors are legal guardians or an agent who must be present with the patient/resident for health care decisions.
• Essential visitors should be limited to one person. (e.g. one legal guardian)
• Encourage patients/residents to find other ways to connect with their loved ones such as video chat.
• All visitors of Ebenezer communities will be screened for symptoms and COVID-19 risk using our Wellness Screening Tool at each visit.
  • Signs will be posted at each location with more information for residents and visitors.
  • Visitors may be asked to wear a mask or leave the location if they exhibit symptoms.
• Visitors who are sick or have known exposure to COVID-19 are not allowed to visit.

These precautions are put into place to protect our residents.  They are here to keep your loved ones safe.  Thank you for collaborating with us, and for always washing your hands. 

Greetings Residents, Families and Visitors,
As you may be aware, Minnesota now has confirmed cases of COVID-19/Coronavirus. Ebenezer has been preparing for this eventuality for the past several weeks--taking all precautions necessary to protect patients and residents who live in our communities.
Although Ebenezer has robust infection control policies already in place due to the threat from seasonal influenza, we have reviewed our infection control policies and updated them as necessary to specifically address what is known today about the Coronavirus.

What is the Coronavirus
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a virus that causes a RESPIRATORY ILLNESS similar to influenza. It is caused by a coronavirus called 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). There are many types of coronavirus. Coronaviruses are a very common cause of bronchitis. They may sometimes cause lung infection (pneumonia). Symptoms can range from mild to severe respiratory illness. These viruses are also found in some animals. COVID-19 was first found in people in Wuhan, China, in late 2019. In 2020, several cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in the U.S, Minnesota has also had its first confirmed case of the Coronavirus. Currently there is not a vaccination or antiviral medications to prevent or treat this Conoravirus.

Ebenezer’s plan for the Coronavirus treatment and containment. 
Our staff members have been trained on COVID 19 infection control policies, and these policies have been implemented in our communities.

Ebenezer is reviewing changing conditions or presence of respiratory illness in our building daily on each shift. Staff are also participating in daily calls with our partners at MHealth Fairview to understand the latest updates and current information related to this issue. 

While we have taken these steps to prepare our staff and community, we need your help to minimize our residents’ and building’s exposure to this virus. Visiting restrictions are posted as you enter the building. Please read the information and comply with the restrictions.
If you visit, you must observe appropriate infection control practices:

• Wash your hands
• Cover your cough and sneezes
• Maintain an appropriate social distance
• Do not shake hands or otherwise have physical contact with others

Ebenezer has also adopted restrictions for visitors based on guidelines from the Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Ebenezer is actively screening all visitors and restricting visitation by those who meet the following criteria:

1. Persons exhibiting signs or symptoms of respiratory infection such as fever, cough, shortness of breath, or sore throat
2. Persons who in the last 14 days have had contact with someone who has a confirmed diagnosis of COVID 19, or are under investigation for COVID 19, or who are ill with respiratory illness
3. Persons who have traveled internationally within the last 14 day to countries with sustained community transitions. For updated information on affected countries please visit: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/
4. Persons residing in a community where community-based spread of COVID-19 is occurring

 
While we understand that it is difficult not to visit your loved one, we are committed to protecting the health and wellbeing of patients and residents. If you are ill and cannot visit your loved one, let staff know and we will work to assist you in visiting by phone or other methods. 

The health and wellbeing of our patients, residents and staff are our highest priority. Therefore, we are taking, and we will continue to take, all steps possible to protect them. We appreciate your help and understanding during this unprecedented time and situation.
Please share this information with any other family or friends who may be visiting to ensure that you are all compliant with the restrictions in place.  

Stay Healthy and wash your hands!
 
Julie A. Thurn, RN, BSN
Administrative Clinical Officer
Ebenezer Society

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/?deliveryName=USCDC_2067-DM21539
 
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/summary.html?deliveryName=USCDC_2067-DM21539
 
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/index.html?deliveryName=USCDC_2067-DM21539