Ebenezer's Response to COVID-19MAGIC (Minnesota Association of Geriatric Inspired Clinicians) is proud to share the facts about the COVID vaccine and dispel any myths that may be circulating in our community. Join us in protecting our community members by getting vaccinated. Click on the button below to see the video.
The safety of our residents, patients and staff members who live and work in our communities is our top priority at Ebenezer. We have made some changes in our operation to maintain the safety of our communities.
Updated Visitation Guidelines: The Minnesota Department of Health has come out with a strategic and careful re-introduction of visitation and activities guidelines for housing with services communities with an arranged home care provider, also known as assisted living-type facilities. Information from The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for skilled nursing facilities was used as a resource to develop this guidance, in addition to documents from the Centers for Disease Control, the Minnesota Department of Health, and the Alzheimer’s Association. Outdoor visits are still the preferred method of visitation. No changes have made to the current recommendations for outdoor visits. Indoor visits will now be allowed for visitors beyond Essential Caregiver and Compassionate Care visitors, however, certain criteria need to be met:
Visitation can be conducted through different means based on a community’s structure and residents’ needs, such as in resident rooms, dedicated visitation spaces, and outdoors: and for circumstances beyond compassionate care situations. We are developing updated visitation opportunities to ensure core principles and best practices that reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission are in place. Core Principles of Visits
We continue to follow the guidelines and restrictions determined by the Center for Disease Prevention (CDC) as well as the Minnesota Department of Health and Human Services. While we understand that this is incredibly difficult situation for the loved ones of our seniors and our residents, we are committed to protecting the health, quality of life and well-being of our patients and residents. UPDATE: Re-opening for Visitors Information An Ebenezer “Reopen” Committee has been established, and is working to develop coordinated strategies as we begin the process for future loosening of restrictions within our senior living communities.
The committee meets weekly, and is addressing the following areas: Community Salons, Family Visits, Activities, and Dining. The intent is to develop a measured approach to be carried out with caution and thoughtful detail to ensure the continued safety of our residents, families and team members. Each of us have a big role to play in making this transition process successful, and we are grateful to you all for your continued patience and understanding as we all navigate these COVID-19 waters together. Many of our communities are opening up to Essential Caregivers. Before you plan a visit to your loved one, click the button below and review this document to see if you meet the criteria for a visit.
Keeping Our Residents SafeWhile it looks like we are making progress with our pandemic planning and response, we are not out of the woods yet. It is precisely because of the sometimes asymptomatic, or long incubation period for this COVID-19 virus, that organizations such as Ebenezer have invested heavily in readiness, response, and communication with a spirit of transparency and evidence-based practice as key principles. We are confident in our people, our preparations and our protocols to prevent and to isolate the COVID-19 virus.
TESTING: As an Ebenezer managed community, we have a written policy for testing and the capacity to test patients, residents and staff as well as a plan to manage positive cases as needed. We will administer mass testing should positive cases arise for residents or staff members in our building and continue with surveillance testing ongoing.
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Cloth Face Masks |
Surveillance Testing |
In our HUD communities, we have offered our residents a fabric mask and encouraged them to wear them while out of their apartments in the building or when they leave the building.
Our HOA communities have requested that people wear a mask when entering building, and have requested that residents wear a mask when outside of their apartment. |
Ebenezer is doing surveillance testing of residents and staff at all our skilled nursing and assisted living/memory care communities. Surveillance testing allows us to identify positive COVID-19 cases among asymptomatic carriers, so we can better contain and prevent further spread.
We are happy to report that all our communities in the metro area have finished their baseline testing. Those communities outside the metro are still in process. The number of positive cases continues to drop. And that’s good news! |
For more than 100 years, families have put their trust in Ebenezer. As part of Fairview Health Services, we have the commitment, the resources, and the support of one of Minnesota’s leading health care providers. This relationship differentiates as well as defines us—enabling our communities to be on the very forefront of senior care and living. During these turbulent times, we thank you for your understanding and patience, and for putting your trust in us.
--Your Friends at Ebenezer
Virtual and In-Person Tours
You can still rely on us for Senior Living, where we can provide 24/7 support and services, and quick entry move-ins to meet your needs. We are now allowing individuals wishing to tour or communities inside of our building following our visitor guidelines and protocols. For those not comfortable with an in-person tour, we can still provide virtual tours and video meetings to anyone wanting to learn more about our communities. Simply call the location of your choice, and a staff member will gladly provide you with lease information and set up a time for an in-person or virtual tour. |
Resources During COVID-19
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Thank You Ebenezer Associates!Even before the COVID-19 outbreak, Ebenezer celebrated our many staff who carry through in our mission to serve our residents and their families every day.
They are our everyday Heroes, they embody a selfless spirit, dedicated to the care of the most vulnerable population. And now, more than ever, we thank you. |