Senior Care Communities Urged to Restrict Visitors for Resident Protection against COVID-19

Government health agencies are now urging senior care communities to restrict visitors for the protection of residents against COVID-19. Now that COVID-19, or the Novel Coronavirus 2019, has come to Iowa, Perry Lutheran Homes is following proactive, preventative protocol and restricting visitors to essential visitors only at both Spring Valley Retirement Community Campus and Willis Campus in Perry to keep residents safe and healthy.

Older adults and people who have serious chronic medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and lung disease are the most vulnerable to COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is recommending aggressive visitor restrictions even before COVID-19 is identified in a community or facility.

“It is our responsibility to protect our residents, most of which are highly vulnerable and susceptible to complications resulting from the virus. We know that visitor restriction isn’t ideal, but it is a necessary and important step in prevention. At Perry Lutheran Homes, our number one priority is to ensure that our residents are cared for in a safe and healthy environment,” said Melissa Gannon, COO and Administrator at Perry Lutheran Homes.

Perry Lutheran Homes continues to work with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH), and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) regarding the most up-to-date information on preventative measures, preparedness and control.

“Our staff is trained in infection control practices and follows established protocols based on that training. We have experience managing illness outbreaks, such as flu, and have a heightened awareness of the possible risk to our residents posed by viral illnesses, such as flu, norovirus, and COVID-19. In addition, all essential visitors and staff will be screened upon entry to the building,” states Gannon.

Those with any questions can contact Melissa Gannon at 515-465-5342 regarding Willis Campus and Amanda Creegen at 515-465-7502 regarding Spring Valley Campus.

Gannon adds, “Perry Lutheran Homes will continue to closely monitor the situation and make adjustments to our protocols and procedures as needed. We are anxiously awaiting, like the rest of those impacted, to return back to normal which includes family visits, community events, and volunteer engagement.”

Additional information regarding COVID-19 can be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html and the Iowa Department of Public Health website: https://idph.iowa.gov/Emerging-Health-Issues/Novel-Coronavirus.

Perry Lutheran Homes is your locally owned and managed, Christian Caring Community serving Perry and surrounding communities for nearly 65 years. Perry Lutheran Homes offers innovative, personalized, Christ-centered living and care at two campuses in Perry, IA – Willis Campus and Spring Valley Retirement Community Campus. Services include independent and assisted living, award-winning memory care, in-home care, respite care, skilled care, rehabilitative therapy, intermediate and long-term care, and end-of-life care.