Ebenezer's Response to COVID-19

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. 

First and foremost, we are actively screening all staff and restricting entry to those who exhibit any respiratory symptoms such as fever, cough, shortness of breath, or sore throat. All Ebenezer housing with services communities and skilled nursing locations are restricting ALL visitors at this time. We are strongly encouraging our HUD communities and Homeowners Associations (HOAs) to restrict visitors as well.
Exceptions to this visitor restriction policy include family members who have loved ones in our communities who are receiving end-of-life care, and/or visiting essential care staff such as hospice providers.

Each of these visitors in our housing with services and skilled settings will be screened before entering the community, and we will restrict visitation by those who meet the following criteria:
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  • Persons exhibiting signs or symptoms of ANY illness or respiratory infection such as fever, cough, shortness of breath, or sore throat
  • 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

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 it is difficult not to visit your loved one, we are committed to protecting the health and well-being of patients and residents. 

UPDATE: Re-opening for Visitors Information

 An Ebenezer “Reopen” Committee has been established, and is currently working to develop coordinated strategies as we begin the planning process for future loosening of restrictions within our senior living communities.  

​The committee is meeting weekly, and plans to first address the following areas:  Community Salons, Family Visits, Activities, and Dining. The intent is to develop a measured approach that will 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.   

Keeping Our Residents Safe

​While 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. 

Staff Screening

We continue our daily screenings of all staff and are following appropriate direction as it has been communicated by Occupational Health, Minnesota Department of Health and the Centers of Disease Control.
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Staff must enter and exit through one main door in the community. Staff will get their temperature taken and screened immediately after arriving to the building in a place where other staff members are not present.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Ebenezer has secured and delivered the PPE supplies needed at this time to all our communities. In the event a situation develops that indicates changes in our current protocols, we have plans in place with our supply chain, and we are working with MHealth Fairview to ensure we have a continuing supply of face masks and other protective equipment. It’s times like these we are grateful to be part of this extraordinary organization. 
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Universal Masking and Face Shields

Ebenezer has implemented universal masking for staff members in all our communities. In addition, we will be implementing universal face shields along with universal masking for all staff members in our housing with services and skilled nursing communities as an additional “layer” of protection for our residents and staff in fighting COVID-19.

Guidance for Safe Transition Between Work and Home 

Infection Prevention has created guidelines for healthcare workers to safely transition between work and home, reducing the risk of potential transmission of COVID-19 by contaminated objects or contact with the work environment. It outlines actions that can be taken by these workers prior to, during, and after work shifts to prevent transmission, including handling of personal items and work supplies, clothing recommendations, and direction on cleaning contaminated items. 
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Daily checks are being provided to all residents in our housing with services and skilled nursing settings to see how they are feeling and screen for COVID-19 symptoms, even if they don't have a care plan. 

Suspending Group Activities

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.
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  • 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. Community rooms are closed, and group activities are cancelled in our HUD buildings. We have strongly recommended that our HOA communities also close their community rooms and cancel their group activities.  
  • 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, as well as virtual activities that residents can participate in while remaining in their own apartments/rooms.
  • 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.

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 Tours and Move-Ins


​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 can’t let any visitors or tours in to our communities right now, but we can still provide virtual tours to anyone needing housing or care for themselves or a loved one.

​Simply call the location of your choice, and a staff member will gladly provide you with lease information and set up a time for a virtual tour. 

Resources During COVID-19

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.