King's Gardens Campus - COVID-19 Notices
Formerly Willis Campus - 2323 Willis Avenue, Perry, Iowa
December 28, 2023
One additional staff member tested positive for COVID-19. Staff are continuing to wear masks in the building, and we encourage visitors to do the same!
December 20, 2023
Eight additional residents tested positive for COVID-19. Staff are continuing to wear masks in the building and we encourage visitors to do the same!
December 18, 2023
Three additional residents tested positive for COVID-19 and one additional team member. Staff are continuing to wear masks in the building and we encourage visitors to do the same!
December 15, 2023
There is 1 additional resident and 1 additional staff who have tested positive for COVID-19 since our last update. Masks are currently required for all staff and visitors!
December 14, 2023
There are 2 additional residents who tested positive for COVID-19 since our last update. Masks are currently required for staff and visitors!
December 13, 2023
We have another brief update for you with 15 additional resident and 16 additional staff testing positive for COVID-19 since our last update. Masks are currently required for staff and visitors!
December 19, 2022
We are moving to a quick update format for the ease of reading and finding information. Should there be a major change in visitation guidelines, we will make a more formal post.
One resident and one staff member tested positive for COVID-19. We continue testing at an increased frequency, wearing proper PPE and following proper protocol as issued by CMS and health agencies. Please join us in prayer for the safety and wellbeing of our residents and staff.
November 7, 2022
To Our King’s Gardens Campus Residents & Family Members:
Our increased COVID testing frequency continues. We had two additional residents test positive.
In addition to COVID-19, other illnesses such as strep throat, the common cold, and influenza are also active this fall. Please postpone your visits until you are symptom free and feeling better.
Grace and blessings,
Melissa Gannon, COO & Administrator
Perry Lutheran Homes
November 5, 2022
To Our King's Gardens Campus Residents & Family Members:
We have another brief update for you with one additional resident and two additional staff testing positive for COVID-19 since our last update. Keep the prayers coming!
In Christ,
Melissa Gannon, COO & Administrator
Perry Lutheran Homes
November 3, 2022
To Our King's Gardens Campus Residents & Family Members:
This is a quick update to inform you that we had three additional residents test positive for COVID-19. All other staff and residents were tested with no further positive tests at this time.
We remain in "outbreak" status; however, this does not impact visitation.
May God richly bless you!
Melissa Gannon, COO & Administrator
Perry Lutheran Homes
November 2, 2022
To Our King’s Gardens Campus Residents & Family Members:
This is an update to our October 30 post.
Our increased COVID testing has found that three additional residents and three additional staff tested positive for COVID. And, our efforts to exit the virus from our building continue.
Holding firm in Christ,
Melissa Gannon, COO & Administrator
Perry Lutheran Homes
October 30, 2022
To Our King's Gardens Campus Residents & Family Members:
We have another brief update for you with six additional residents and two additional staff testing positive for COVID-19 since our last update.
Join us in praying for this virus to exit our buildings.
In Christ,
Melissa Gannon, COO & Administrator
Perry Lutheran Homes
October 27, 2022
To Our King's Gardens Campus Residents & Family Members:
This is a quick update to let you know that we had three residents and two staff members test positive for COVID-19.
We will remain in "outbreak" status. We are testing twice weekly and need 14 days with no further positive test results before we can move out of "outbreak" status.
Please pray for all staff and residents to recover fully.
Blessings to all,
Melissa Gannon, COO & Administrator
Perry Lutheran Homes
October 26, 2022
Dear Residents & Family Members,
It has been nice to see so many family members and loved ones in our senior living communities visiting and volunteering!
We have an important update regarding COVID-19 masks, screening and more based upon recent communication issued by CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services).
Effective Immediately:
1. Visitors and staff members no longer need to be screened upon entry.
2. Visitors may go directly to the apartment or room where they intend to visit.
3. Masking requirements will change on a DAILY basis and depend upon the COVID-19 community transmission level in our county. Masks will always be made available, and signs will be posted at staff and visitor entrances based upon the following system:
- If the county level is BLUE, masks are NOT REQUIRED for visitors or staff
- If the county level is YELLOW, masks are OPTIONAL for visitors and staff
- If the county level is ORANGE, masks are RECOMMENDED for visitors and staff
- If the county level is RED, masks are REQUIRED for visitors and staff
4. Should there be a COVID-19 outbreak in one of our senior living communities, masks are required for visitors and staff on that campus until there are no further positive resident or team member cases at that campus for 14 days. Only one COVID-19 positive resident or staff is needed to put us in outbreak status.
As of October 25, 2022, Dallas County Iowa’s community transmission level is yellow. However, we are in outbreak status at both King’s Gardens Campus and Eden Acres Campus so MASKS ARE REQUIRED until there are no further positive cases.
- For visitors who have had close contact with someone with COVID-19, we ask that you postpone any non-urgent in-person visits until 10 days after their close contact and if they continue to be asymptomatic.
- Regardless of the community transmission level, residents and their visitors, when in a resident’s apartment or room, may choose not to wear face coverings or masks.
- We will continue to encourage physical distancing during peak times for visitations and gatherings.
- Residents who leave the senior living community for 24 hours or longer will be managed similar to a new admission as it pertains to COVID-19 precautions as recommended by the CDC.
- Residents who have signs or symptoms of COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status, will be tested immediately (but not earlier than 24 hours after the exposure, if known).
As the cold and flu season is here, we ask visitors to stay home if they are ill or experiencing any symptoms. We encourage you to get your flu and COVID-19 vaccines/boosters.
If you’d like to check up on the latest community transmission level, you can do so on the CDC COVID Data Tracker website. Make sure that Iowa, Dallas County, and “Community Transmission” data and map metric are selected and showing. Here’s the direct link: https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view?list_select_state=Iowa&data-type=Risk&list_select_county=19049&null=Risk
As you can see on the Iowa map, Iowa’s community transmission level is mostly a mix of yellow (moderate) and orange (substantial) at this time.
Below are US community transmission maps from Jan 2022 (left) and Oct 2022 (right). As you can see, our levels of COVID-19 community transmission have significantly improved. And over time, we expect this trend to continue.
Thank you for your kindness and support over the course of the pandemic. God has brought us through it together. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me at mgannon@PerryLutheranHomes.org or 515-465-5342.
Grace and blessings,
Melissa Gannon
COO & Administrator
Perry Lutheran Homes
October 24, 2022
To Our King's Gardens Campus Residents & Family Members:
We have another brief update for you with three residents testing positive for COVID-19. Staff and residents will be tested at an increased frequency during the next 14 days, and we will remain in "outbreak" status.
This does not impact resident activities or visitors, so you are able to continue your visits as normal. Please be diligent in your hand hygiene and mask wearing. And, please stay home if you are experiencing symptoms of any kind or have been exposed to any illness.
In Christ,
Melissa Gannon, COO & Administrator
Perry Lutheran Homes
October 18, 2022
To Our King's Gardens Campus Residents & Family Members:
This is a quick update to let you know that we had one staff member that tested positive.
With just one staff positive, we are now in "outbreak" status. We are testing twice weekly. We need 14 days with no further positive test results before we can move out of "outbreak" status.
Please pray for all staff and residents to continue feeling well.
Blessings to all,
Melissa Gannon, COO & Administrator
Perry Lutheran Homes
September 27, 2022
To Our King's Gardens Campus Residents & Family Members:
Just a quick update to inform you that we had a staff member test positive for COVID-19.
With one staff positive, we are now in "outbreak" status. We are testing twice weekly. Once we are 14 days out after our last positive, we will move out of "outbreak" status.
In Christ,
Melissa Gannon, COO & Administrator
Perry Lutheran Homes
September 5, 2022
To Our King's Gardens Campus Residents & Family Members:
As COVID-19 continues to make its rounds this fall in the community, we had one staff member that tested positive.
With just one staff positive, we are now in "outbreak" status. We are testing twice weekly. Once we are 14 days out after our last positive, we will move out of "outbreak" mode.
We continue to thank and praise the Lord for His protection!
Melissa Gannon, COO & Administrator
Perry Lutheran Homes
August 11, 2022
To Our King’s Gardens Campus Residents & Family Members:
This is an update to our August 10 post.
Our increased COVID testing has found that one additional resident tested positive for COVID. At this time, all staff and residents that tested positive for COVID are doing well.
Our efforts to exit the virus from our building continue.
Blessings,
Melissa Gannon, COO & Administrator
Perry Lutheran Homes
August 11, 2022
To Our King’s Gardens Campus Residents & Family Members:
This is an update to our August 10 post.
Our increased COVID testing has found that one additional resident tested positive for COVID. At this time, all staff and residents that tested positive for COVID are doing well.
Our efforts to exit the virus from our building continue.
Blessings,
Melissa Gannon, COO & Administrator
Perry Lutheran Homes
August 10, 2022
To Our King’s Gardens Campus Residents & Family Members:
Our increased COVID testing frequency continues. We had one additional staff member test positive since the August 3 update.
In Christ,
Melissa Gannon, COO & Administrator
Perry Lutheran Homes
August 3, 2022
To Our King’s Gardens Campus Residents & Family Members:
As an update after further testing on August 2, we had two residents and one additional staff member test positive for COVID-19. All staff and residents are doing well.
We will continue testing and following proper COVID-19 protocol until the virus is no longer within our senior living community.
Grace and blessings,
Melissa Gannon, COO & Administrator
Perry Lutheran Homes
August 2, 2022
To Our King’s Gardens Campus Residents & Family Members:
With this beautiful summer weather, we have been enjoying time out on the deck, patios and courtyard! Whether it be to exercise, to sit and chat, or spend time with the daycare kiddos, we are enjoying it all.
At this point, we all know that the COVID virus is here to stay. We do everything we can to keep any virus out of our senior living communities. However, with as many staff, residents and families in our buildings each day, there will naturally be those without any symptoms that may enter unknowingly with a virus.
Routine COVID virus testing continues, and from that, we had one employee test positive. At this time we are testing all residents and staff to ensure we are able to contain the virus. Should we discover any additional positive residents or staff, we will keep you updated on this web page.
Enjoy all the warm, summer weather days you can as August will go by fast!
God is good!
Melissa Gannon, COO & Administrator
Perry Lutheran Homes
June 20, 2022
To Our King’s Gardens Campus Residents & Family Members:
There is one additional staff member that tested positive for COVID; no resident positive tests. We will continue to test twice weekly for 14 days after our last positive.
Stay safe and well and enjoy the warm weather!
Melissa Gannon, COO & Administrator
Perry Lutheran Homes
June 9, 2022
To Our King’s Gardens Campus Residents & Family Members:
This quick update is to inform you that we have recently had two staff members test positive for COVID-19. Dallas county Iowa continues to be in the "high" COVID transmission level. We are testing all residents and staff twice weekly. At this time, we have had no additional staff or residents test positive.
Residents and staff have really been enjoying this beautiful weather. It's so nice to be outside with nature and marvel over God's creations.
We pray that you have a safe and enjoyable summer!
Melissa Gannon, COO & Administrator
Perry Lutheran Homes
May 5, 2022
To Our King’s Gardens Campus Residents & Family Members:
The number of positive Covid-19 team member and residents have slowed. Thus far, residents with COVID-19 have all had minimal or no symptoms. The COVID-19 vaccine and booster have been successful thus far in protecting residents from serious or life-threatening infections.
As of today, we have a presumptive positive case for COVID-19. We are waiting for positive confirmation of this case. We continue to monitor residents closely and test residents and staff frequently as well as follow infection prevention and control protocol.
Will lots of illness and viruses out in the community, we ask that you be diligent in your hand hygiene, mask wearing and social distancing if you come to visit. And, please stay home if you are experiencing symptoms of any kind or have been exposed to any illness.
Last, join us in giving thanks and praise to the Lord for His strength, healing and protection.
God is good!
Melissa Gannon, COO & Administrator
Perry Lutheran Homes
King's Gardens Campus - COVID-19 Notices
Formerly Willis Campus - 2323 Willis Avenue, Perry, Iowa
February 8, 2022
To Our King’s Gardens Campus Residents & Family Members:
We are happy to report that the number of positive COVID-19 staff and residents has slowed tremendously. Thus far, residents with COVID-19 have all had minimal or no symptoms. The COVID-19 vaccine and booster have been successful thus far in protecting residents from serious or life-threatening infections.
As of today, only two residents and two staff recently tested positive for COVID-19. We continue to monitor residents closely and test residents and staff frequently as well as follow infection prevention and control protocol.
Will lots of illness and viruses out in the community, we ask that you be diligent in your hand hygiene, mask wearing and social distancing if you come to visit. And, please stay home if you are experiencing symptoms of any kind or have been exposed to any illness.
Last, join us in giving thanks and praise to the Lord for His strength, healing and protection.
God is good!
Melissa Gannon, COO & Administrator
Perry Lutheran Homes
January 31, 2022
To Our King’s Gardens Campus Residents & Family Members:
Our battle with COVID-19 continues, and we are working hard to contain the outbreak. However, it has been especially difficult to prevent the spread in our memory care neighborhoods. Many of our residents are mobile and do not understand the need to wear a mask, stay in their room, social distance, etc. Our team will continue to implement different strategies to contain and rid our community of COVID-19.
We are so grateful that at this point, there have been no major symptoms or infections. The COVID-19 vaccine and booster seem to be doing their job to protect residents from serious or life-threatening infections. As of today, we have eight additional residents that tested positive for COVID-19 and four additional staff members. We will continue to monitor all residents and staff closely, and do everything we can to keep everyone safe.
We ask that you join us in prayer that residents continue to have no and/or minimal symptom. Pray that the infections are not serious, and that healing is fast and complete. Last, we give thanks to the Lord for His protection.
In Christ,
Melissa Gannon, COO & Administrator
Perry Lutheran Homes
January 28, 2022
To Our King’s Gardens Campus Residents & Family Members:
We are one of so many senior care living communities across the nation in "outbreak" status. However, residents have thus far only displayed minimal or no symptoms, and we praise God for that. We are doing everything possible to keep your loved one safe. As of today, there are five additional residents that tested positive for COVID-19 and one additional staff member. We will continue the fight to exit this virus out of our care community, continue to monitor all residents and staff closely, and do everything we can to keep residents and staff safe, happy and well.
Please continue your prayers for the safety and wellbeing of all!
Blessings,
Melissa Gannon, COO & Administrator
Perry Lutheran Homes
January 26, 2022
To Our King’s Gardens Campus Residents & Family Members:
One additional resident tested positive for COVID-19 since the January 24 update. We will continue the good fight!
Melissa Gannon, COO & Administrator
Perry Lutheran Homes
January 24, 2022
To Our King's Gardens Campus Residents & Family Members:
A quick update to share. We had four staff members and two residents test positive for COVID-19 since the January 23 update. We will continue our frequent testing of residents and staff and anticipate additional positives. Residents and staff who test positive are following proper protocols as issued by state health agencies.
As of today, we are thankful to report that residents who tested positive have either no symptoms or minimal symptoms and are doing well. Please continue to join us in praying for the safety and wellbeing of our residents, resident families, and staff.
In Christ,
Melissa Gannon, COO & Administrator
Perry Lutheran Homes
January 23, 2022
To Our King's Gardens Campus Residents & Family Members:
Another COVID-19 update here. We had two additional staff members and one additional resident test positive for COVID-19 since the January 21 update. We will continue our frequent testing of residents and staff and anticipate additional positives. Residents and staff who test positive are following proper protocols as issued by state health agencies.
Again, please do not visit if you have symptoms of any illness or if you have been exposed to any illness. When you do come for a visit, make sure you wear a well-fitting mask over your mouth and nose at all times, that you social distance, and that you follow proper hand hygiene. For more details on visiting, please refer to the January 19 update below.
We'd love for you to join us in prayer for the safety of our residents and staff.
Melissa Gannon, COO & Administrator
Perry Lutheran Homes
January 21, 2022
To Our King's Gardens Campus Residents & Family Members:
This is a quick update to let you know that we had three staff members and eight residents test positive for COVID-19 since the January 19 update. We will continue our frequent testing of residents and staff and anticipate additional positives in the days to come. Residents and staff who test positive are following proper protocols as issued by state health agencies.
For the safety of our residents and staff, please do not visit if you have symptoms of any illness or if you have been exposed to any illness. When you do come for a visit, make sure you wear a well-fitting mask over your mouth and nose at all times, that you social distance, and that you follow proper hand hygiene. For more details on visiting, please refer to the January 19 update below.
Blessings,
Melissa Gannon, COO & Administrator
Perry Lutheran Homes
January 19, 2022
To Our King's Gardens Campus Residents & Family Members:
With a very high rate of community transmission for COVID-19 throughout the entre nation, it has been difficult to keep the virus out of senior living communities. COVID-19 and many other viruses continue their spread this winter season. And, we continue our best efforts to keep our residents safe through infection prevention and control procedures, including COVID-19 safety protocols and testing.
We recently had our first residents test positive for COVID-19 in 2022. During the time period from January 17 - 19, we had six resident COVID-19 tests come back positive. Thankfully Perry Lutheran Home residents have been fully vaccinated; booster shot included. As of today, the residents are asymptomatic and following proper protocols as issued by state health agencies. Also, during January 17 – 19, we had three staff members test positive for COVID-19. Any staff member that tests positive is immediately sent home to isolate for the recommended time.
The entire nation is experiencing high transmission rates of COVID-19 and other viruses. Here in Dallas County, Iowa, we have a 28.48% COVID-19 positivity rate. Dallas County, along with nearly the entire United States (except for 12 counties), is classified as a "red" area which means a high rate of community transmission. You can view these stats and more on the CDC website: https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view?list_select_state=Iowa&data-type=Risk&list_select_county=19049).
Here at Perry Lutheran Homes, we realize how important visits from family and friends are to the residents. While we are very happy that visitation is allowed for all residents at all times, we continue to have a responsibility to protect the health and safety of all residents. It’s vital for all family and visitors to follow the core infection prevention principles and visitation guidelines established by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and recommendations of CMS for resident visitation. We’d like to remind all visitors of the following guidelines.
Core Infection Prevention and Control Guidelines:
- Visitors who have a positive viral test for COVID-19, symptoms of COVID-19, or currently meet criteria for quarantine, should not enter the nursing home.
- Visitors who’ve been in close contact within the last 14-days of someone who’s tested positive for COVID-19 or have tested positive for COVID-19 and have not met the criteria to be considered recovered should refrain from visiting.
- Visitors will be screened for any symptoms of illness.
- Visitors having any symptoms of any virus should not enter the nursing home.
- Visitors must practice good hand hygiene, including the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Visitors should wear a well-fitting face mask that covers the mouth and nose, and practice physical distancing keeping 6 feet apart.
Visitation Guidelines:
- All individuals who enter a nursing home must be screened for symptoms consistent with COVID-19 and are denied entry if displaying any symptoms, have recently tested positive for COVID-19, or currently meet the criteria for quarantine.
- Visitors at King's Gardens Campus must use the service entrance door on the east side of the building.
- Visitors must take the most direct route to/from the visit location and maintain physical distancing from other residents and staff.
- Visitors may be offered a COVID-19 test prior to the visit. Or, visitors may be asked about your vaccination status; however, testing and vaccination are not a condition for the visit.
- Visitors will be allowed at all times for all residents.
- Visits must be conducted in a manner that adheres to the core principles of infection prevention and control, including reducing risk to other residents.
- Visitors may request that your visit be conducted in one of our designated visiting areas.
- We encourage visitors to monitor the number of visitors that are visiting at one time to help maintain physical distancing during the visit. If you desire to have a larger gathering (5 or more), please contact Laura Orbell, Family Visit Coordinator at 515-218-3230 or lorbell@perrylutheranhomes.org, in advance, and we will attempt to arrange for a larger visitation area that can better accommodate the core infection prevention and control principles.
- If your loved one has a roommate, we encourage the visit to occur outside of the resident room. Visits for those residents with roommates will take place in one of our family visitation areas. If visits must occur in the resident’s room for those residents with a roommate, we ask that you ensure the privacy curtain is closed for the duration of your visit and that you ensure that core infection prevention and control measures are maintained.
- When the CDC COVID-19 Data Tracker (located at https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view) indicates that Dallas County, Iowa is in high (red) or substantial (orange) community transmission, residents and visitors must wear face coverings or masks throughout the duration of the visit. In addition, Perry Lutheran Homes reserves the right to request you to test for COVID-19 prior to your visit. If you decline testing, your visit will not be limited based on declination; however, this may aide in additional infection prevention and control measures.
- When the CDC COVID-19 Data Tracker (located at https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view) indicates that Dallas County, Iowa is in moderate (yellow) or low (blue) community transmission, the safest practice is for residents and visitors to continue to wear face coverings or masks and physically distance, particularly if either is at increased risk for severe-disease or are unvaccinated. If the resident and all visitor(s) are fully vaccinated and the resident is not moderately or severely immunocompromised, they may choose not to wear face coverings or masks and to have physical contact. However, visitors must continue to wear face coverings or masks whenever around other residents or staff.
- Residents may choose to have close contact with visitors; however, residents who are unvaccinated should be aware of the risks of physical contact prior to the visit.
- If a resident is in transmission-based precautions (indicating they are suspected or confirmed for COVID-19), all visitors will be notified upon entry of the risks of visiting and the precautions necessary. Visits for residents in transmission-based precautions will only occur in the resident’s room.
- When a nursing home onset case of COVID-19 is identified, Perry Lutheran Homes will continue to have indoor visitation. All visitors will be notified upon entry of a potential COVID-19 outbreak and the potential risks of visiting. All visits will be conducted in the resident’s room during an outbreak investigation and all visitors will be expected to maintain face coverings, regardless of vaccination status.
- Compassionate Care Visitation will be implemented if a resident is identified as being severely immunocompromised. During compassionate care visitation Perry Lutheran Homes reserves the right to limit the number of visitors the resident is exposed to based on consultation with the resident or their representative.
Join us in praying for the health and wellbeing of all residents, their loved ones, and the Perry Lutheran Homes staff.
In Christ,
Melissa Gannon, COO & Administrator
Perry Lutheran Homes
January 17, 2022
To Our King's Gardens Campus Residents & Family Members:
We pray that you're staying healthy and well so far in the New Year!
This is a short message to update you on the COVID-19 testing we continue to do. We had 5 additional staff members test positive for COVID-19. All other staff were tested with no further positive tests at this time. All residents were tested and all tested negative for COVID-19. The positive staff members are at home in isolation for the recommended length of time. Testing of staff and residents continue in accordance with local health agencies.
Again, this does not impact your ability to visit loved ones. We ask that you please be diligent in your hand hygiene and mask wearing. And, please stay home if you are experiencing symptoms of any kind or have been exposed to any illness.
God's blessings to you!
Melissa Gannon, COO & Administrator
Perry Lutheran Homes
January 11, 2022
To Our King's Gardens Campus Residents & Family Members:
Another quick update. We've had one more staff member test positive for COVID-19. All other staff were tested with no further positive tests. All residents were tested and all tested negative for COVID-19. The positive staff member is at home in isolation for the recommended length of time. And, we continue our staff and resident testing in accordance with local health agencies.
Visitation guidelines remain unchanged. However, with many illnesses going around, we ask that you stay home if you are experiencing symptoms of any kind or have been exposed to any illness - influenza, cold, RSV, etc.
Stay healthy and well!
Melissa Gannon, COO & Administrator
Perry Lutheran Homes
January 4, 2022
To Our King's Gardens Campus Residents & Family Members:
This is a quick update to inform you that we had one staff member test positive for COVID-19. All other staff were tested with no further positive tests. All residents were tested and all tested negative for COVID-19. The positive staff member is at home in isolation for the recommended length of time in accordance with the national and local health agencies.
One positive test does put us into "outbreak" status; however, this does not impact visitation. Visitation guidelines will remain the same as communicated in our November 16, 2021 letter.
May God richly bless you in the New Year!
Melissa Gannon, COO & Administrator
Perry Lutheran Homes
November 16, 2021
To Our King's Gardens Campus Residents & Family Members:
It is with great happiness that we write to you today! Visitation regulations have taken a big step in the less-restrictive direction as recently released by CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services). The COVID-19 vaccines have decreased the number of cases of COVID-19 in nursing homes throughout the country since the implementation nearly a year ago.
Effective immediately, visitors will be allowed at all times for all residents! There are core infection prevention guidelines that visitors still need to follow. Please read through the new visitation guidelines below.
New Visitation Guidelines:
It is vital to the safety of our residents and staff that all visitors always adhere to these core infection prevention and control principals during visits.
- Visitors who have a positive viral test for COVID-19, symptoms of COVID-19, or currently meet criteria for quarantine, should not enter the nursing home. Nursing homes should screen all who enter for these exclusions.
- Visitors having any symptoms of any virus should not enter the nursing home.
- Visitors must practice good hand hygiene, including the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Visitors should wear a face covering or mask and practice physical distancing.
Outdoor visitation
Perry Lutheran Homes will facilitate outdoor visitation, weather permitting, and the resident is able to so. Outdoor visitation is preferred, particularly when the resident or the visitor is not fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Outdoor visitation also generally poses a lower risk of transmission due to increased space and airflow.
Indoor visitation:
- All individuals who enter a nursing home must be screened for symptoms consistent with COVID-19 and are denied entry if displaying any symptoms, have recently tested positive for COVID-19, or currently meet the criteria for quarantine.
- Visitors at King's Gardens Campus must use the service entrance door on the east side of the building. Visitors at Eden Acres Campus must use the employee entrance door on the west side of the campus (northern-most door on west side).
- Visitors will be allowed at all times for all residents.
- Visits must be conducted in a manner that adheres to the core principles of infection prevention and control, including reducing risk to other residents.
- We encourage visitors to monitor the number of visitors that are visiting at one time to help maintain physical distancing during the visit. If you desire to have a larger gathering (5 or more), please contact Laura Orbell, Family Visit Coordinator at 515-218-3230 or lorbell@perrylutheranhomes.org, in advance, and we will attempt to arrange for a larger visitation area that can better accommodate the core infection prevention and control principles.
- We encourage visitors to maintain awareness of the number of visitors in the building and to conduct their visits in a manner that helps adhere to the core infection prevention and control principles, like physical distancing, and not place other residents at risk.
- Visitors must take the most direct route to/from the visit location and maintain physical distancing from other residents and staff.
- If your loved one has a roommate, we encourage the visit to occur outside of the resident room. Visits for those residents with roommates will take place in one of our family visitation areas. If visits must occur in the resident’s room for those residents with a roommate, we ask that you ensure the privacy curtain is closed for the duration of your visit and that you ensure that core infection prevention and control measures are maintained.
- When the CDC COVID-19 Data Tracker (located at https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view) indicates that Dallas County, Iowa is in high (red) or substantial (orange) community transmission, residents and visitors must wear face coverings or masks throughout the duration of the visit. In addition, Perry Lutheran Homes reserves the right to request you to test for COVID-19 prior to your visit. If you decline testing, your visit will not be limited based on declination; however, this may aide in additional infection prevention and control measures.
- When the CDC COVID-19 Data Tracker (located at https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view) indicates that Dallas County, Iowa is in moderate (yellow) or low (blue) community transmission, the safest practice is for residents and visitors to continue to wear face coverings or masks and physically distance, particularly if either is at increased risk for severe-disease or are unvaccinated. If the resident and all visitor(s) are fully vaccinated and the resident is not moderately or severely immunocompromised, they may choose not to wear face coverings or masks and to have physical contact. However, visitors must continue to wear face coverings or masks whenever around other residents or staff.
- Residents may choose to have close contact with visitors; however, residents who are unvaccinated should be aware of the risks of physical contact prior to the visit.
- If a resident is in transmission-based precautions (indicating they are suspected or confirmed for COVID-19), all visitors will be notified upon entry of the risks of visiting and the precautions necessary. Visits for residents in transmission-based precautions will only occur in the resident’s room.
- When a nursing home onset case of COVID-19 is identified, Perry Lutheran Homes will continue to have indoor visitation. All visitors will be notified upon entry of a potential COVID-19 outbreak and the potential risks of visiting. All visits will be conducted in the resident’s room during an outbreak investigation and all visitors will be expected to maintain face coverings, regardless of vaccination status.
- Compassionate Care Visitation will be implemented if a resident is identified as being severely immunocompromised. During compassionate care visitation Perry Lutheran Homes reserves the right to limit the number of visitors the resident is exposed to based on consultation with the resident or their representative.
Communal Dining, Activities and Resident Outings:
- Perry Lutheran Homes will continue to follow CDC guidelines related to communal dining and activities. Current CDC guidelines can be located at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/infection-control-recommendations.html
- Residents will be allowed to go on outings. Prior to the outing, the resident and the person transporting the resident on an outing will be educated about infection prevention and control measures to mitigate COVID-19.
- When the resident returns, they will be screened for signs and symptoms consistent with COVID-19 and to identify if they were possibly around someone with COVID-19. If the resident was possibly exposed to COVID-19 and is not fully vaccinated, they will be placed into quarantine and offered testing per CDC recommendations.
- In certain situations where uncertainty exists about the unvaccinated resident being exposed to COVID-19 (such as a large event like a wedding), Perry Lutheran Homes may require the resident to quarantine upon return, regardless of duration of outing.
- Any unvaccinated resident leaving Perry Lutheran Homes for longer than 24 hours will be required to quarantine for 14 days upon return.
Please contact Melissa Gannon at 515-465-5316 if you have any questions regarding revised visitation, dining, activities, and resident outings.
For the safety of all residents and visitors, Perry Lutheran Homes strongly encourages all residents and visitors to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If you would like to be vaccinated, please reach out to your physician. We are so excited to see volunteers and families be able to visit more frequently!
Our staff members continue to wear proper PPE in all resident areas, are screened for COVID-19 symptoms before and after every shift, and get routine COVID-19 tests based on policies issued by local and national health agencies. You can continue to find COVID-19 updates on our website at: https://perrylutheranhomes.org/covid-19/. On that page you can select either King’s Gardens Campus or Eden Acres Campus.
Without a doubt, Christ has been beside us throughout this pandemic. Even amidst the trying times, we’ve been blessed in so many ways. And with this latest news, we are looking forward to seeing families, friends and volunteers visit our residents more often!
Blessings,
Melissa Gannon, COO & Administrator
Perry Lutheran Homes
October 7, 2021
To Our King's Gardens Campus Residents & Family Members:
This is a quick update to inform you that we had two staff members test positive for COVID-19. All other staff and residents at King's Gardens Campus were tested, and all tests came back negative.
Visitation guidelines will remain the same as communicated in our September 13, 2021 letter (see below). Please schedule visits at least 24 hours in advance through our Family Visit Coordinator, Laura Orbell at 515-218-3230 or lorbell@perrylutheranhomes.org.
Thanks for your continued grace and understanding as we continue to navigate this journey together.
Melissa Gannon, COO & Administrator
Perry Lutheran Homes
September 13, 2021
To Our King's Gardens Campus Residents & Family Members:
We hope this update finds you well and ask for your continued prayers and understanding as the COVID-19 virus and associated regulations continue to impact us all.
This letter is to let you know that one of our on-site service provider’s team members tested positive for COVID-19. Because they provide resident services on-site at Eden Acres Campus and King’s Gardens Campus, this will start the 14-days of “outbreak” status and require most restrictive visitation guidelines for both campuses. In addition, one employee at Eden Acres Campus tested positive for COVID-19. If we have no new cases of COVID-19 after 14 days, we will be out of “outbreak” status and can return to less restrictive visitation guidelines.
We know this is tough news to hear. Please know that our hearts ache for you and your loved ones, and that we are doing all we can to keep residents safe. There is one positive piece of news to share. The two-week county positivity rate for Dallas County is down to 10.7 percent. We pray this continues a downward trend.
Please carefully review the most current visitation guidelines and associated safety protocols that remain in effect through the entire “outbreak” status period.
- All visits will need to be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance. To schedule a visit with your loved one, please contact Laura Orbell, our Family Visit Coordinator, at 515-218-3230 or lorbell@perrylutheranhomes.org.
- Visitors at King's Gardens Campus must use the service entrance door on the east side of the building. Visitors at Eden Acres Campus must use the employee entrance door on the west side of the campus (northern-most door on west side).
- All visitors must be screened prior to each visit. If a staff member is not at the employee entrance, visitors must use the walkie talkie or phone on the table to call a staff member to screen them. Under no circumstances are visitors allowed to enter the building without being screened.
- If visitors have symptoms of any sickness, or have had close contact with someone who is sick, they are not allowed to come to the facility.
- Once visitor is screened, they must be accompanied by staff to go directly to the designated visiting area. Once finished, the visitor must go promptly back to the entry/exit area and be accompanied by staff. No loitering in hallways or walking around facility is permitted.
- Visits will be in designated places to ensure sanitation before and after each visit as well as for the safety of other residents.
- Visitors must wear a face mask for the entire visit. Visitors must practice social distancing staying at least 6 feet apart.
- Visits can last up to 30 min. with a total of 5 visits per week as scheduling and staffing allows.
- A total of 2 people can visit a resident at one time. Visitors must be age 12 or older and able to wear a mask for the entire visit.
- Regardless of vaccination status, residents do not need to be isolated when returning to the care community. The only time a resident would need to be isolated is if they are displaying any COVID-19 symptoms or have tested positive for COVID-19. The isolation would be either 14 days or 20 days depending upon their health and comorbidities. If a resident is in quarantine, whether vaccinated or unvaccinated, in-person visits can only be scheduled once resident is no longer in quarantine (except in end-of-life circumstances).
- If a resident has a confirmed COVID-19 infection, whether vaccinated or unvaccinated, in-person visits can only be scheduled once resident is no longer deemed infectious (except in end-of-life circumstances).
- Compassionate care/end-of-life visits are able to take place regardless of COVID-19 status, vaccination status, or county positivity rate.
- For any campus with an identified positive COVID-19 case, residents will be screened for COVID-19 during every 8-hour shift if awake. For any campus not in “outbreak” status, residents and staff will be screened daily.
To schedule a visit with your loved one, please contact Laura Orbell, our Family Visit Coordinator, at 515-218-3230 or lorbell@perrylutheranhomes.org.
Our staff members continue to wear proper PPE in all resident areas, are screened for COVID-19 symptoms before and after every shift, and get routine COVID-19 tests based on policies issued by local and national health agencies. You can also find COVID-19 updates on our website at: https://perrylutheranhomes.org/covid-19/. On that page you can select either King’s Gardens Campus or Eden Acres Campus.
God is good and will see us through this. May we put our trust in Him and continue on this journey into the unknown together.
Blessings,
Melissa Gannon, COO & Administrator
Perry Lutheran Homes
August 25, 2021
To Our King's Gardens Campus Residents and Family Members:
We hope that you’re enjoying these warm weather days of summer. Helping our residents enjoy the many outdoor spaces and places continues to be a focus of ours as the summer continues. Our activities team has been utilizing our all-ability bicycle at all three Perry Lutheran Homes campuses to provide a unique way for residents and tenants to enjoy the great outdoors. It has become a favorite activity for many.
As the summer continues, the number of COVID-19 cases continues to rise. Our mandated visitation guidelines depend on the positivity rate for Dallas County. Unfortunately, that number is now above 10 percent and will impact visitation guidelines for all long-term senior living communities in Dallas County.
All of our hearts at Perry Lutheran Homes ache for you and your loved ones. We want nothing more than to see our residents and families together. However, with all the unknowns, we must protect your loved ones from the COVID-19 virus as best as we can. In addition, we must adhere to the mandates of local and national health agencies for staff and resident testing, screening, PPE requirements and visitation guidelines. Revised visitation guidelines are below and will take effect on Monday, August 30.
Please carefully review the most current visitation guidelines and associated safety protocols effective Monday, August 30:
- All visits will need to be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance. To schedule a visit with your loved one, please contact Laura Orbell, our Family Visit Coordinator, at 515-218-3230 or lorbell@perrylutheranhomes.org.
- Visitors at King's Gardens Campus must use the service entrance door on the east side of the building. Visitors at Eden Acres Campus must use the employee entrance door on the west side of the campus (northern-most door on west side).
- All visitors must be screened prior to each visit. If a staff member is not at the employee entrance, visitors must use the walkie talkie or phone on the table to call a staff member to screen them. Under no circumstances are visitors allowed to enter the building without being screened.
- If visitors have symptoms of any sickness, or have had close contact with someone who is sick, they are not allowed to come to the facility.
- Once visitor is screened, they must be accompanied by staff to go directly to the designated visiting area. Once finished, the visitor must go promptly back to the entry/exit area and be accompanied by staff. No loitering in hallways or walking around facility is permitted.
- Visits will be in designated places to ensure sanitation before and after each visit as well as for the safety of other residents.
- Visitors must wear a face mask for the entire visit. If a resident is not vaccinated, visitors must practice social distancing staying at least 6 feet apart. If a resident is vaccinated, visitors may sit close to resident, give them a hug, etc.
- Visits can last up to 30 min. with a total of 5 visits per week as scheduling and staffing allows.
- A total of 2 people can visit a resident at one time. Visitors must be age 12 or older and able to wear a mask for the entire visit.
- Regardless of vaccination status, residents do not need to be isolated when returning to the care community. The only time a resident would need to be isolated is if they are displaying any COVID-19 symptoms or have tested positive for COVID-19. The isolation would be either 14 days or 20 days depending upon their health and comorbidities. If a resident is in quarantine, whether vaccinated or unvaccinated, in-person visits can only be scheduled once resident is no longer in quarantine (except in end-of-life circumstances).
- If a resident has a confirmed COVID-19 infection, whether vaccinated or unvaccinated, in-person visits can only be scheduled once resident is no longer deemed infectious (except in end-of-life circumstances).
- Compassionate care/end-of-life visits are able to take place regardless of COVID-19 status, vaccination status, or county positivity rate.
- Daily COVID-19 screening of residents and staff will continue.
To schedule a visit with your loved one, please contact Laura Orbell, our Family Visit Coordinator, at 515-218-3230 or lorbell@perrylutheranhomes.org.
Perry Lutheran Homes is preparing for the added protection of COVID-19 booster shots for both residents and staff. We are also waiting for further guidance on vaccine mandates for residents and staff. We will update you when more details become available. Our staff members continue to wear proper PPE in all resident areas, are screened for COVID-19 symptoms before and after every shift, and get routine COVID-19 tests based on policies issued by local and national health agencies. You can also find visitation guidelines updates on our website at: https://perrylutheranhomes.org/covid-19/.
Join us in prayer that the Dallas County positivity rate will decline, for the safety of all residents and staff, and for staff to stay with Perry Lutheran Homes, and in the field of long-term care, should the vaccine be mandated for long-term care workers. Together we’ve made it this far, and together we will continue on as we look to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to provide for us and guide us into the future.
Blessings,
Melissa Gannon, COO & Administrator
Perry Lutheran Homes
August 10, 2021
To Our King's Gardens Campus Residents and Family Members:
With the rising number of Covid cases, we are busy trying to put in place the extra precautions that will provide the best level of safety for our residents and staff, without losing our humanity. Each of our three campuses will be monitored individually for signs of Covid and each will respond to their own level of risk, based on their individual situation.
As of today, we are taking extra precautions at our King’s Gardens campus, which is experiencing two positive Covid infections by staff members. To be as safe as possible we will only be permitting visits for end of life and compassionate care. These visits must be scheduled. To schedule your visit, please contact Laura Orbell, our Visit Coordinator at 515-465-5316.
We will be encouraging our residents to continue to interact with each other in groups while respecting each other’s health by wearing face masks and keeping a safe distance apart. The present levels of open access at both Eden Acres Campus and Spring Valley Campus will remain until or when additional precautions may be necessary.
We appreciate your understanding as we work to keep our community of precious people safe and well. If you have any questions, please contact Melissa Gannon, COO, Administrator at 515-465-5316.
__________________________________________________________________________
August 4, 2021
To Our King’s Gardens Campus Residents and Family Members:
This is a quick update to inform you that the Dallas County positivity rate has seen a sharp increase reaching 7.9 percent as of the date of this update. National and public health agencies continue to regulate and mandate resident visitation guidelines. Because the positivity rate is over 5 percent, residents living in secure memory care neighborhoods will be impacted due to the difficult nature of keeping appropriate distance between visitors and other residents.
If your loved one lives in one of our secure memory care neighborhoods, St. James or St. John's, you will need to schedule visits through our Family Visit Coordinator, Laura Orbell. Call 515-218-3230 or email lorbell@perrylutheranhomes.org.
This is such a difficult time as we take steps backward. But, safety of your loved ones is our top priority, and we are happy to help you continue in-person visits through scheduling ahead.
Keep on praying!
Melissa Gannon, COO & Administrator
Perry Lutheran Homes
August 2, 2021
To Our King’s Gardens Campus Residents and Family Members:
As I’m sure you’ve heard, there are growing concerns regarding COVID-19 and its variants and a growing number of COVID-19 cases in Iowa. Visitation guidelines for long-term care communities continue to be based upon the county positivity rate as mandated by local and national health agencies. As of the date of this update, the current Dallas County positivity rate is 4.8 percent. Should this number grow to 5 percent or higher, visitation guidelines for residents in secure memory care neighborhoods will be revised back to scheduled and supervised visitations. Should the Dallas County positivity rate reach 10 percent or higher, all visitation guidelines will need to be revised back to scheduled and supervised visitations.
We know that this is incredibly hard for you to hear, and we hope that we can remain partially “open.” But, should the rate increase to 5 percent or above, we must continue to walk together on this journey through the ups, downs and unknowns in support of each other. Please know that we care deeply for all who live with us, and that we want to keep our residents, your loved ones, protected from the COVID-19 virus as best as we can.
Our staff members continue to wear masks in all resident areas, are screened for COVID-19 symptoms before and after every shift, and get routine COVID-19 tests based on policies issued by local and national health agencies.
We wanted to let you know that we had one staff member test positive at Eden Acres Campus last week. We then moved quickly to get all staff and residents tested and all tests came back negative for our first round of surveillance testing. We conducted a second round of surveillance testing and all remained negative. We have two more rounds of surveillance testing to complete yet at Eden Acres Campus.
We also had one staff member test positive at King’s Gardens Campus. We moved swiftly to conduct our first round of surveillance testing and all staff and resident tests came back negative. We have three more rounds of surveillance testing to complete.
Should we ever have three or more positive tests at one of our long-term care campuses, that will trigger an “outbreak status” at that campus moving us back to the most restrictive phase of the reopen process. We pray that this will not ever be the case, but there have been reports of long-term care communities in Iowa that have had to move back to step one due to three or more cases of positive COVID-19 tests.
Right now, our visitation guidelines remain the same as outlined in our last letter and below. We will let you know as soon as possible if these guidelines change. Especially as we see an uptick in COVID-19 cases it is incredibly important for everyone to follow all guidelines below to keep residents and resident families safe.
Please carefully review the most current visitation guidelines and associated safety protocols:
- Unscheduled visits can take place from 8:00AM – 4:00PM on Monday through Friday. Saturday, Sunday, and weekday after 4:00PM visits will need to continue to be scheduled.
- Visitors at King's Gardens Campus must use the service entrance door on the east side of the building. Visitors at Eden Acres Campus must use the employee entrance door on the west side of the campus (northern-most door on west side).
- All visitors must be screened prior to each visit. If a staff member is not at the employee entrance, visitors must use the walkie talkie on the table to call a staff member to screen them. Under no circumstances are visitors allowed to enter the building without being screened.
- If visitors have symptoms of any sickness, or have had close contact with someone who is sick, they are not allowed to come to the facility.
- Once visitor is screened, they must go directly to the resident’s room or designated visiting area. If resident is in long-term care or skilled care and has a roommate in the room at the time of the visit, the visiting family and resident will need to use the designated visiting area. Once finished, the visitor must go promptly back to the entry/exit area. No loitering in hallways or walking around facility is permitted by government oversight agencies.
- Visitors must wear a face mask for the entire visit. If a resident is not vaccinated, visitors must practice social distancing staying at least 6 feet apart. If a resident is vaccinated, visitors may sit close to resident, give them a hug, etc.
- A total of 2 people can visit a resident at one time. If visitor brings a child to visit, the child needs to be able to sit in one spot and wear a mask for the entire length of the visit and be supervised by visitor at all times. If the child is not able to stay in place, wear a mask, or practice all safety measures, the visit will need to end.
- Regardless of vaccination status, residents do not need to be isolated when returning to the care community. The only time a resident would need to be isolated is if they are displaying any COVID-19 symptoms or have tested positive for COVID-19. The isolation would be either 14 days or 20 days depending upon their health and comorbidities. If a resident is in quarantine, whether vaccinated or unvaccinated, in-person visits can only be scheduled once resident is no longer in quarantine (except in end-of-life circumstances).
- If a resident has a confirmed COVID-19 infection, whether vaccinated or unvaccinated, in-person visits can only be scheduled once resident is no longer deemed infectious (except in end-of-life circumstances).
- Compassionate care/end-of-life visits are able to take place regardless of COVID-19 status, vaccination status, or county positivity rate.
- Daily COVID-19 screening of residents and staff will continue.
To schedule a visit with your loved one on Saturday, Sunday or any time after 4:00PM on Monday through Friday, please contact Laura Orbell, our Family Visit Coordinator, at 515-218-3230 or lorbell@perrylutheranhomes.org.
It has been incredible to see our residents enjoying in-person visits from friends and family. We pray the county positivity rate stays low, for no COVID-19 cases for staff and residents, and for the safety and wellbeing of all. What a journey it’s been so far, and we’ll continue walking together. Thank you for your continued love, grace, patience and support. God will lead us through it all!
Melissa Gannon, COO & Administrator
Perry Lutheran Homes
February 24, 2021
To Our King’s Gardens Campus Residents and Family Members:
We have some exciting news to share that we hope will lift your spirits and bring a smile to your face. On Monday, March 1, 2021, we will be able to start scheduling in-person visits for all residents at Perry Lutheran Homes King’s Gardens Campus once again so long as the Dallas County COVID-19 positivity rate stays below 10 percent!
King’s Gardens Campus will be in Phase 3 of the CDC reopen phases which is the least restrictive phase. And, COVID-19 cases in Dallas County have dropped below the 10 percent mark. With the vaccination of our residents, we are still anxiously awaiting revised safety guidelines from local and national health agencies.
Until revised guidelines are issued, we will abide by the same safety protocols as from before.
- All visits must be scheduled in advance.
- Visitors will be screened prior to each visit.
- Visits will be in designated places to ensure sanitation before and after each visit.
- Visitors must wear a mask and practice social distancing staying at least 6 feet apart.
- Residents are able to have 2 or less visitors per visit and up to 5 visits per week as scheduling and staffing allows.
- If a resident is in quarantine, in-person visits can only be scheduled once they are no longer in quarantine (except in end-of-life circumstances).
To schedule a visit with your loved one living in St. James or St. John’s memory care neighborhoods, please contact Tonya Swank at 515-465-5342 or tswank@PerryLutheranHomes.org.
To schedule a visit with loved one living in St. Luke’s or St. Elizabeth’s (first floor long-term and skilled care) please contact Jenna Larson at 515-465-5342 or jlarson@PerryLutheranHomes.org.
Praise be to God that residents were able to receive the COVID-19 vaccine as this offers additional means of protection from the risks associated with the virus. Residents have been getting back to a more “normal” life here in the last couple of weeks enjoying group activities, eating meals together in the dining room, gathering for weekly bible study, and having more social time with one another.
What a long journey these past twelve months have been for us all. We are so grateful for your continued support, prayers, patience and grace. Your loved one’s overall safety and wellbeing remains our top priority, and our staff members are so excited to see a little more pep in the steps of our residents as we work to find what our new normal might look like moving forward.
We are excited to see you in person again at Perry Lutheran Homes King’s Gardens Campus! God is good!
Melissa Gannon, COO & Administrator
Perry Lutheran Homes
January 13, 2021
To Our King’s Gardens Campus (formerly Willis Campus) Residents and Family Members:
This is a quick update to inform you that a resident at King's Gardens Campus has tested positive for COVID-19. This individual was only at King's Gardens Campus for six hours and not around other residents before returning to the hospital. All staff tested this week on Monday were negative. Staff will be tested again on Thursday. This one positive test has put us back in the "outbreak" status which again means the highest level of visitor restrictions are in place. The only way to break this cycle is to ensure all residents and staff receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
Nearly all staff and some residents at King's Gardens Campus received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine on January 5. If you haven't already signed and returned the vaccine consent form, please do so as soon as possible so your loved one can receive their first dose on our January 26 vaccine clinic day.
Residents that do not receive the vaccine will need to continue with many of the isolation and visitor restrictions currently in place due to their vulnerability for exposure to the COVID-19 virus. If you'd like to learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine, we'd encourage you to read the CVS Health COVID-19 Vaccination Frequently Asked Questions HERE.
Getting vaccinated will help our residents, resident families and staff get back to enjoying life again! Thank you for your continued prayers and support!
Melissa Gannon, COO & Administrator
Perry Lutheran Homes
January 8, 2021
To Our King’s Gardens Campus (formerly Willis Campus) Residents and Family Members:
This is a quick update to inform you that there are no new positive COVID-19 tests for staff or residents since the January 1 update. We are now able to transition from outbreak status to Phase 1 of the three reopen phases. The positivity rate for Dallas County is currently at 10.4%. We are hopeful that the downward trend will continue.
Please make sure that you sign and return your loved one's consent form as soon as possible. We were able to vaccinate over 100 combined staff and residents at the January 5 clinic. Those receiving the vaccine on January 5 will receive the second booster dose on January 26. Those not receiving any doses yet will receive their first dose on January 26 as long as there is a signed consent form.
If you'd like to learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine, we'd encourage you to read the CVS Health COVID-19 Vaccination Frequently Asked Questions HERE. Residents that do not receive the vaccine will need to continue with many of the visitor restrictions currently in place due to their vulnerability for exposure to the COVID-19 virus.
We are overjoyed at the arrival of the vaccine as it will help our residents, resident families and staff get back to receiving visitors, enjoying group activities and more! Keep those prayers coming!
Melissa Gannon, COO & Administrator
Perry Lutheran Homes
January 1, 2021
To Our King’s Gardens Campus (formerly Willis Campus) Residents and Family Members:
Happy New Year!
This is a quick update to inform you that we had one resident test positive for COVID-19 this week. All other residents were tested and all tests came back negative. All staff tests came back negative as well. All appropriate measures are being taken to do everything we can to keep both residents and staff safe, to contain the spread, and to exit the virus from our building.
Please make sure that you sign and return your loved ones consent form as soon as possible. January 5 will be our first Pfizer vaccine clinic day. All staff and residents that have signed consent forms will receive the vaccine. The booster shot and a second Pfizer vaccine clinic day will take place on January 26. Those receiving their first dose on January 26 will then receive their second dose at our third Pfizer vaccine clinic day (TBD).
If you'd like to learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine, we'd encourage you to read the CVS Health COVID-19 Vaccination Frequently Asked Questions HERE. Residents that do not receive the vaccine will need to continue with many of the visitor restrictions currently in place due to their vulnerability for exposure to the COVID-19 virus.
The year 2020 was long and difficult from us all. We are so grateful to everyone for your prayers and support. It is our hope that through this vaccine your loved one will once again be back to fully enjoying life, group activities, and in-person visits wile living at our senior care communities. God's blessings to you and yours in this new year!
Melissa Gannon, COO & Administrator
Perry Lutheran Homes
December 24, 2020
To Our King’s Gardens Campus (formerly Willis Campus) Residents and Family Members:
This is a quick update to inform you that we had two staff members test positive for COVID-19 this week. At this time, there are no resident cases of COVID-19. All appropriate measures are being taken to do everything we can to keep both residents and staff safe, to contain the spread, and to exit the virus from our building.
CVS Pharmacy has finally sent the consent forms, and we will be doing a mass mailing on Monday, December 28 to all resident point of contacts. January 5 will be our first Pfizer vaccine clinic day. All staff and residents that have signed consent forms will receive the vaccine. The booster shot and a second Pfizer vaccine clinic day will take place on January 26. Those receiving their first dose on January 26 will then receive their second dose at our third Pfizer vaccine clinic day (TBD).
Staff have been busy bringing Christmas cheer to all our residents. We wish you a Merry Christmas and hope that with the arrival of the vaccine, you will be able to visit your loved one in person soon!
Melissa Gannon, COO & Administrator
Perry Lutheran Homes
December 18, 2020
To Our King’s Gardens Campus (formerly Willis Campus) Residents and Family Members:
Our many prayers continue to be answered as the end of the year draws near. All residents and staff at Perry Lutheran Homes King’s Gardens Campus were tested for COVID-19 this week. As of today, all test results for both residents and staff have come back negative. If COVID-19 tests continue to come back negative, we will move from outbreak status back to phase one of the three reopen phases.
The COVID-19 positivity rate in Dallas County is slowly trending downward and is around the 15 percent mark. It needs to drop below the 10 percent mark for us to work through the reopen phases which ease visitor restrictions. Please continue to urge family, friends and fellow community members to do everything possible to stop the spread – especially with Christmas right around the corner. We will continue to test staff twice weekly and residents weekly and as needed.
Enclosed with this letter is information about the upcoming COVID-19 vaccine. You have likely heard information about effectiveness, side effects and more. The only way to eradicate this illness is to vaccinate enough citizens to achieve heard immunity just like we once did with smallpox, measles and polio. We strongly encourage you to choose to vaccinate your loved one for both their physical and mental wellbeing. Should there be a resident who does not receive the vaccine, they will likely need to continue some form of isolation and separation from other residents as well as have visitation restrictions from outside parties as they will remain highly vulnerable.
We hope to receive vaccination consent forms soon from the pharmacies that will be coming on-site to administer the vaccine. At this time, it is looking like we will be able to vaccinate in early 2021. As soon as we receive the consent forms, we will be sending out to all resident point of contacts and encourage you to sign and return the signed forms as soon as possible so that vaccination of your loved one is not delayed.
There is no cost for the vaccine itself; however, the pharmacy provider will be charging for the administration of the vaccine to Medicare. If you have any questions about the vaccine or the administration of the vaccine, please call or email Amanda Cregeen, our Infection Preventionist nurse, at 515-465-5342 or Acregeen@PerryLutheranHomes.org.
Please watch out for and warn others about COVID-19 vaccine scams. They are trying to take advantage of people in this stressful time. Scammers may call or email you asking for personal information or money regarding the vaccine or vaccine wait list. There is no such thing as a waitlist, and there is no cost for the vaccine itself. Do not give them any personal information or money.
With Christmas coming soon, we would love to help arrange a front door visit, window visit, video call visit, phone call, or deliver an email message to your loved one. If your loved one is living in St. John’s or St. James neighborhoods, please contact Tonya Swank at 515-465-5342 or tswank@PerryLutheranHomes.org. If your loved one is living in St. Luke’s or St. Elizabeth’s (first floor long-term care) please contact Jenna Larson at 515-465-5342 or jlarson@PerryLutheranHomes.org. Or, if you would like a message delivered to your loved one, feel free to email info@PerryLutheranHomes.org.
We will continue to keep you updated via letters, our COVID-19 webpage (https://perrylutheranhome.org/covid-19/), phone calls and/or emails. Should your loved one show symptoms or require a test, we will get in touch as soon as we are able with the assigned resident representative we have on file.
We know that this Christmas will be both difficult and different without being able to spend in-person time with your loved one. Please know that we are not only caring for your loved ones’ physical needs, but their emotional and mental needs as best we can while balancing all the extra mandated rules and regulations that COVID has brought. Our staff continues to encourage and support your loved ones and engage them with activities and conversation one on one or in socially safe, small groups. Special worship services will be taking place as well for any residents that would like to take part in celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Thanks for your continued prayers and support. Have a blessed Christmas!
Melissa Gannon, COO & Administrator
Perry Lutheran Homes
December 11, 2020
To Our King’s Gardens Campus (formerly Willis Campus) Residents and Family Members:
It is with great thankfulness that we have good news to share. As of today, there have not been any new positive COVID tests since our December 8 update. All residents and staff at Perry Lutheran Homes King’s Gardens Campus were tested this week and all tests came back negative.
At this time, we have only one staff member that is at home in isolation and one resident that is at the hospital in isolation. This is an incredible blessing as Dallas County remains a COVID hotspot. Please continue to urge family, friends and fellow community members to do everything possible to stop the spread. We will continue to test staff twice weekly and residents weekly and as needed.
With the COVID vaccine close to completion, we have secured an adequate supply for all King’s Gardens Campus residents to receive one. As soon as we receive the proper vaccine information sheets and consent forms, we will send out to all resident point of contacts for review, signatures, and the return of the signed forms.
Perry Lutheran Homes King’s Gardens Campus will remain in “outbreak” status until we have a span of 14 days with no new positive tests. And, because of the high rate of positivity in Dallas County, we are not able to allow in-person visits until the rate drops below 10 percent.
With Christmas near, we would love to help arrange a front door visit, window visit, video call visit, phone call, or deliver an email message to your loved one. If your loved one is living in St. John’s or St. James neighborhoods, please contact Tonya Swank at 515-465-5342 or tswank@PerryLutheranHomes.org. If your loved one is living in St. Luke’s or St. Elizabeth’s (first floor long-term care) please contact Jenna Larson at 515-465-5342 or jlarson@PerryLutheranHomes.org. Or, if you would like a message delivered to your loved one, feel free to email info@PerryLutheranHomes.org.
We will continue to keep you updated via letters, our COVID-19 webpage (https://perrylutheranhome.org/covid-19/), phone calls and/or emails. Should your loved one show symptoms or require a test, we will get in touch as soon as we are able with the assigned resident representative we have on file.
Please know that we are doing everything we can to keep your loved one safe. And, we have been doing our best to bring them as much love, joy and cheer with special activities and of course tender love and care every single day. It’s a blessing to care for your loved one. They (and you) have become our extended family. Join us in prayer for efficient vaccine distribution to our nation’s most vulnerable population – our elderly loved ones.
Sincerely,
Melissa Gannon, COO & Administrator
Perry Lutheran Homes
December 8, 2020
To Our King’s Gardens Campus (formerly Willis Campus) Residents and Family Members:
This is again a quick update to inform you that we had one resident test positive since the December 4 update. At this time we have two staff positive and one resident positive. All appropriate measures are being taken to do everything we can to keep both residents and staff safe, to contain the spread, and to exit the virus from our building. Please continue to pray for the safety of all.
December 4, 2020
To Our King’s Gardens Campus (formerly Willis Campus) Residents and Family Members:
This is a quick update to let you know that we had one additional positive staff member test since the December 2 update.
December 2, 2020
To Our King’s Gardens Campus (formerly Willis Campus) Residents and Family Members:
This year is coming to a close, and what a year it’s been. Full of twists, turns, and surprises; yet also full of blessings. You and your loved one are among those blessings.
As promised, we are reaching out to provide you with a COVID-19 update. At this time, we have one staff member that tested positive. They are at home following the proper protocols. No residents are positive at this time. We continue to test residents as needed, and test staff twice weekly due to the high rate of positivity in Dallas County.
Please share with others in the community your story and how the high rate of positivity in Dallas County is impacting your ability to have in-person visits with your loved one. Share the impact it has on long-term care residents, resident families and staff. Help encourage all to wear masks, social distance, wash and sanitize hands, gather in small groups, and do everything possible to help stop the spread. You can share our most recent “Help Stop the Spread” video on Facebook or email the YouTube video link https://youtu.be/QxTRvuioGyA/.
Our one positive result puts us back into “outbreak” status. However, because of the high rate of positivity in Dallas County, we already were not able to allow in-person visits. In order to move out of “outbreak” status, we will need 14 days with no new positive tests. And, before we can have in-person visits, the positivity rate in Dallas County will need to drop below 10 percent. We know that the season of holidays is here, and that it is even more difficult to not be able to touch or hug your loved one. However, we encourage you to continue visits with your loved one in other ways. We are more than happy to help arrange a front door visit, window visit, video call visit, phone call, deliver an email message, and more.
If your loved one is living in St. John’s, St. James or St. Luke’s neighborhoods, please contact Tonya Swank at 515-465-5342 or tswank@PerryLutheranHomes.org. If your loved one is living in St. Elizabeth’s (first floor long-term care) please contact Jenna Larson at 515-465-5342 or jlarson@PerryLutheranHomes.org. Or, if you would like a message delivered to your loved one, feel free to email info@PerryLutheranHomes.org.
Since we are back in “outbreak” status, updates will be sent out weekly through letters, our COVID-19 webpage (https://perrylutheranhome.org/covid-19/), phone calls and/or emails. Should your loved one show symptoms or require a test, we will get in touch as soon as we are able with the assigned resident representative we have on file.
Our team is doing everything we can to not only keep your loved one physically safe, but to care for their overall wellbeing. You and your loved one remain in our prayers. We also pray for the finalization of a vaccine, and that older adults in senior care communities are a priority for our nation. Thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Melissa Gannon, COO & Administrator
Perry Lutheran Homes
November 13, 2020
To Our Willis Campus Residents and Family Members:
Our many prayers have been answered as there have been no new positive COVID-19 tests for residents for 28 days now at Perry Lutheran Homes Willis Campus. Additionally, there have been no new positive employee tests for 7 days. After Friday, November 13, we can officially move from “outbreak” status to Phase 1 of the reopen phase.
While there are no cases of COVID-19 at Perry Lutheran Homes Willis Campus at this time, the rate of positive cases in Dallas County continues to climb near 15 percent. This impacts us in two ways. First, Perry Lutheran Homes Willis Campus will now be testing all staff two times a week until the positivity rate of cases in Dallas County drops below 10 percent. Second, this sadly means that the only in-person visits can be for end-of-life matters until the Dallas County rate of positivity drops below 10 percent as per the mandatory regulations.
We need your help to share the message to others to wear masks, social distance and do everything to help stop the spread. Share the impact it has on long-term care residents, resident families and staff.
Our entire team, from care staff to culinary staff to environmental services staff, continue their hard and diligent work every day to safely give care, to prepare and serve meals safely, and to clean and sanitize every possible area and surface. We continue to go above and beyond the mandatory personal protective equipment requirements to keep residents and fellow team members safe.
Work continues to repurpose a spot for indoor, in-person visits. Until in-person visits can resume, we are happy to help arrange a front door visit, window visit, video call visit, phone call, deliver an email message, and more.
If your loved one is living in St. John’s, St. James or St. Luke’s neighborhoods, please contact Tonya Swank at 515-465-5342 or tswank@PerryLutheranHomes.org. If your loved one is living in St. Elizabeth’s (first floor long-term care) please contact Jenna Larson at 515-465-5342 or jlarson@PerryLutheranHomes.org. Or, if you would like a message delivered to your loved one, feel free to email info@PerryLutheranHomes.org.
Since we are out of outbreak status, updates will be sent out on an as-needed basis through letters, our COVID-19 webpage (https://perrylutheranhome.org/covid-19/), phone calls and/or emails. Should your loved one show symptoms or require a test, we will get in touch as soon as we are able with the assigned resident representative we have on file.
This has been a long and difficult nine months. However, we are grateful that we’ve all been able to weather this storm together. This pandemic has made the special, little moments of kindness, togetherness and support all the more special. And, although we aren’t able to spend Thanksgiving together in person, we are thankful for you, your prayers and your support.
Sincerely,
Melissa Gannon, COO & Administrator
Perry Lutheran Homes
November 2, 2020
To Our Willis Campus Residents and Family Members:
It is with extreme gratitude and thankfulness to report that as of today, there have been no new positive residents within the last two weeks. And, at this time, there are only two new positive employee cases.
For now, we must continue on with the highest level of resident isolation, PPE requirements, testing, and visitor restrictions. Once we hit the 28-day mark of no new resident or staff cases, we will begin through the three reopen phases.
We will remain vigilant, especially with the onset of flu season, and ask that you do the same. And, the number of positive COVID-19 cases in Dallas County continues to rise. Our entire team, from care staff to culinary staff to environmental services staff, continue their hard and diligent work every day to safely give care, to prepare and serve meals safely, and to clean and sanitize every possible area and surface.
When a vaccine becomes available, Perry Lutheran Homes has already procured both supply and delivery. We will be sending a consent form soon for you to sign and return. That way, as soon as the vaccine arrives, we are able to administer the vaccine.
Work continues to repurpose a spot for indoor, in-person visits. Until in-person visits can resume, we are happy to help arrange a front door visit, window visit, video call visit, phone call, deliver an email message, and more.
If your loved one is living in St. John’s, St. James or St. Luke’s neighborhoods, please contact Tonya Swank at 515-465-5342 or tswank@PerryLutheranHomes.org. If your loved one is living in St. Elizabeth’s (first floor long-term care) please contact Jenna Larson at 515-465-5342 or jlarson@PerryLutheranHomes.org. Or, if you would like a message delivered to your loved one, feel free to email info@PerryLutheranHomes.org.
We will continue to inform you as things change through letters, our COVID-19 webpage (https://perrylutheranhome.org/covid-19/), phone calls and/or emails. Should your loved one show symptoms or require a test, we will get in touch as soon as we are able with the assigned resident representative we have on file.
Your prayers and support are truly appreciated. Please know that you and your loved one are in our prayers. We ask that you join us in praying for those that are working on the vaccine, for the effectiveness of the vaccine, and for the efficiency in producing and supplying the vaccine to those that are most vulnerable and in need of the vaccine.
Sincerely,
Melissa Gannon, COO & Administrator
Perry Lutheran Homes
October 22, 2020
To Our Residents/Tenants and Family Members:
As a quick update and follow-up to the October 16 letter, we currently have two staff members and eight residents that are positive at Perry Lutheran Homes Willis Campus.
We will continue to keep you informed as things change and please reach out to us for any questions or concerns you might have at 515-465-5342.
We pray for all residents, staff and families impacted by this virus. Please know that we are doing everything possible to contain and exit COVID from our care community.
Sincerely,
Melissa Gannon, COO & Administrator
Perry Lutheran Homes
October 16, 2020
To Our Willis Campus Residents and Family Members:
My team and I continue the mission of exiting COVID-19 from our Willis Campus building. One part of that is continuing our weekly testing protocols so that we can identify and isolate positive staff members and/or residents.
Currently, there are 11 positive resident cases, and 2 positive staff cases for a total of 13 positive cases. Residents and staff considered currently positive maintain that status for 10 days if they are asymptomatic, and for 14 days (or longer) if they are showing symptoms, and, are treated as a current positive until they are no longer showing any symptoms. Many staff and residents that previously tested positive have transitioned into the recovered phase.
Another part of exiting COVID-19 from our building is to contain the spread. We are carefully monitoring residents and staff, and have been working to segregate and isolate residents and staff as much as possible to stop the spread. Within memory care communities, this can be an extremely difficult thing to do as residents with cognitive impairment may refuse to wear a mask and/or be isolated to their room. However, our entire team, from care staff to culinary staff to environmental services staff, continue their hard and diligent work every day to safely give care, to prepare and serve meals safely, and to clean and sanitize every possible area and surface.
We know that this is a really difficult time for you with strict visitor restrictions since we are in Phase 1 of the reopen plan. However, we will continue to work towards the next phase and will let you know as soon as those visits can once again happen. We are currently working to prepare a spot for indoor, in-person visits with the changing of the weather from sunny summer days, to cold and snowy days. In the meantime, we are happy to help arrange for front door visit, window visits, video call visits, phone calls, emails and more.
If your loved one is living in St. John’s, St. James or St. Luke’s neighborhoods, please contact Tonya Swank at 515-465-5342 or tswank@PerryLutheranHomes.org. If your loved one is living in St. Elizabeth’s (first floor long-term care) please contact Jenna Larson at 515-465-5342 or jlarson@PerryLutheranHomes.org. Or, if you would like a message delivered to your loved one, feel free to email info@PerryLutheranHomes.org.
We will continue to inform you as things change through letters, our COVID-19 webpage (https://perrylutheranhome.org/covid-19/), phone calls and/or emails. Should your loved one show symptoms or require a test, we will get in touch as soon as we are able with the assigned resident representative we have on file.
Please know that our thoughts and prayers are most certainly with you during this challenging time. And, we continue to pray for the safety and wellbeing of our residents and staff. May the Lord bless us and keep us as we continue to support one another during this time of pandemic.
Sincerely,
Melissa Gannon, COO & Administrator
Perry Lutheran Homes
October 9, 2020
To Our Willis Campus Residents and Family Members:
In our continued efforts to keep family members updated, the new numbers for current positive individuals are eleven positive resident cases and 6 positive staff cases for a total of 17 current positive cases. Residents and staff considered currently positive maintain that status for 10 days if they are asymptomatic and for 14 days (or longer) if they are showing symptoms and are treated as a current positive until they are no longer showing any symptoms. Many staff and residents have transitioned to the recovered phase.
Our goal is to always keep you informed. We encourage you to reach out to us with any questions or concerns you might have at 515-465-5342. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. And know that we are doing everything that we can to exit COVID-19 from our building.
Sincerely,
Melissa Gannon, COO & Administrator
Perry Lutheran Homes
October 6, 2020
To Our Residents/Tenants and Family Members:
As a quick update and follow-up to the October 1 letter, one additional Perry Lutheran Homes Willis Campus staff member tested positive. Currently, there are six staff members that are positive and twelve residents that are positive at Perry Lutheran Homes Willis Campus.
We will continue to keep you informed as things change and please reach out to us for any questions or concerns you might have at 515-465-5342. Thanks so much for your patience, understanding and support during these difficult times.
Sincerely,
Melissa Gannon, COO & Administrator
Perry Lutheran Homes
October 1, 2020
To Our Willis Campus Residents and Family Members:
We continue on in the fight against COVID-19 at Perry Lutheran Homes Willis Campus. As additional test results are coming back, we want to keep our resident families up-to-date with the latest information.
Our aggressive and comprehensive testing continues and has identified twelve additional residents and two additional staff members that have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. Our total number of residents and staff with positive test results is now thirty five. We anticipate additional staff test results to come in over the next few days and will plan to send a formal letter out early next week.
Our team continues to keep a watchful eye to ensure all residents and staff are monitored and receiving all the necessary care. We also continue to work closely with health officials to ensure we are utilizing the latest safety techniques and procedures. Because we have active cases of COVID-19 in our care community, we remain in Phase 1 with strict safety protocols minimizing exposure and risk from outside contact.
Staff are reaching out to call impacted resident families. We know this is a difficult time with continued changes and updates; sometimes daily. We encourage you to call with any questions you might have at 515-465-5342. And, we are more than happy to help you connect with your loved one through video chat, phone calls, email or other methods.
Please continue to pray for all residents, resident families, and staff. We pray for this virus to leave our care community. We pray for those working on effective treatments and a vaccine to defend against this virus. We pray that God will keep us and guard us all as we care for those living in our home.
Sincerely,
Melissa Gannon, COO & Administrator
Perry Lutheran Homes
September 25, 2020
To Our Willis Campus Residents and Family Members:
As you know, we have been battling a very recent COVID-19 outbreak at Perry Lutheran Homes Willis Campus. We have implemented an aggressive program, including weekly testing and have identified six additional residents and two additional staff members who test positive for the virus. That brings our total number of residents and staff with a positive test result to twenty one.
We have been particularly blessed with only a minimal impact in our community to this point, we know that we must remain ever vigilant. Our care staff is closely monitoring residents and all employees and are working closely with health officials to make sure that we are using the latest safety technique and best practice. Until we have exited the virus from our building, we will be adhering to strict safety protocols that limit exposure from outside contact. We will ease these restrictions just as quickly as safety policy allows.
As this situation continues we will provide updates. As always, calls for immediate updates are welcomed (Willis Campus – 515-465-5342 | Spring Valley Campus – 515-465-7500). Even though physical contact is limited there are a number of ways to remain connected with your loved one through video chat, phone calls, texts, social media, or by emailing info@perrylutheranhomes.org.
I apologize if these updates seem repetitive, but we want to keep you as informed as possible. We invite you to also monitor our website for the latest information at this link: https://perrylutheranhome.org/covid-19/.
Finally, we want to assure family members that we will communicate all updates about your loved ones to the assigned resident representative we have on file. We will make contact with you regarding COVID-19 should your loved one show symptoms, require a test, etc.
We invite you to join us in continuing to pray for the safety and wellbeing of all residents, resident families, and staff. We pray for your safety as well. May God bless us and defend us in this important work.
Sincerely,
Melissa Gannon, COO & Administrator
Perry Lutheran Homes
September 22, 2020
To: All Perry Lutheran Homes Willis Campus Families and Loved Ones
We are updating you on the results of all resident and employee testing at Perry Lutheran Homes Willis Avenue Campus. Three (3) additional resident tests came back positive for COVID-19. In total, there are four (4) residents that have tested positive. There were no new employee positive tests. In total, there is (1) employee that has tested positive.
Perry Lutheran Homes Willis Campus remains in Phase 1 of the three reopen phases.
The residents with the positive tests are in isolation, and the employee with the presumed positive is isolated at home following the recommended protocols set forth by local, state and national health agency guidelines. Perry Lutheran Homes continues to adhere to strict COVID-19 prevention and control processes and procedures at or above recommended local, state, and national health agency guideline levels since the onset of this pandemic.
At this time, no outdoor visits will be able to take place. However, we are happy to help you schedule front door visits, window visits with the window closed using a phone to communicate, and video chat visits.
To schedule a visit with a loved one living in St. John’s or St. James neighborhoods, please contact Tonya Swank at 515-465-5342 or tswank@PerryLutheranHomes.org. To schedule a visit with a loved one living in St. Elizabeth’s (first floor long-term care) or St. Luke’s Private Suites, please contact Jenna Larson at 515-465-5342 or jlarson@PerryLutheranHomes.org. Supervised, outdoor visits may resume once Perry Lutheran Homes Willis Campus moves out of an “outbreak” status. An “outbreak” is one or more cases of COVID-19 – resident or employee.
In order for Perry Lutheran Homes Willis Campus to move into Phase 2, a variety of requirements must be met with regard to additional positive resident or staff cases, passing of time since last resident case, and downward trend in number and percent positive rate in Dallas county. We will notify all resident family point of contact when visitations are allowed.
Perry Lutheran Homes continues to work very closely with health officials to ensure we are taking all the appropriate steps. Emergency response procedures continue to be activated. Please know that the health and safety of your loved one continues to be our number one priority. Our team is doing everything we can to stop the spread and to keep COVID-19 out of our care communities.
We will continue to provide you with updates as they become available. Guidance from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requires that we provide updated reports of COVID-19 in our nursing home to residents, resident representatives, and their families. CMS allows these reports to be provided to you through our website at this link: https://perrylutheranhome.org/covid-19/.
Finally, we want to assure family members that we will communicate all updates about your loved ones to the assigned resident representative we have on file. We will make contact with you regarding COVID-19 should your loved one show symptoms, require a test, etc.
Thank you so much for your prayers, patience and understanding during these difficult times.
Sincerely,
Melissa Gannon, COO & Administrator
Perry Lutheran Homes
September 17, 2020
To: All Perry Lutheran Homes Willis Campus Families and Loved Ones
It is our continued promise to provide you with updates and information regarding COVID-19. On Wednesday, September 17, one (1) Perry Lutheran Homes Willis Campus resident test and one (1) employee test came back as “presumed positive.” These tests were done using the Rapid Antigen Test, and are on their way to the laboratory for further review.
In the interim, Perry Lutheran Homes will be treating these two tests as confirmed positive, which will bring us back to Phase 1 of the three reopen phases.
The resident with the presumed positive is in isolation, and the employee with the presumed positive is isolated at home following the recommended protocols set forth by local, state and national health agency guidelines. Perry Lutheran Homes continues to adhere to strict COVID-19 prevention and control processes and procedures at or above recommended local, state, and national health agency guideline levels since the onset of this pandemic.
At this time, no outdoor visits will be able to take place. However, we are happy to help you schedule front door visits, window visits with the window closed using a phone to communicate, and video chat visits.
To schedule a visit with a loved one living in St. John’s, St. James or St. Luke’s neighborhoods, please contact Tonya Swank at 515-465-5342 or tswank@PerryLutheranHomes.org. To schedule a visit with a loved one living in St. Elizabeth’s (first floor long-term care), please contact Jenna Larson at 515-465-5342 or jlarson@PerryLutheranHomes.org.
Supervised, outdoor visits may resume once Perry Lutheran Homes Willis Campus moves out of an outbreak status. In order for this to happen, a variety of requirements must be met with regard to additional positive resident or staff cases, passing of time since last resident case, and downward trend in number and percent positive rate in Dallas county. We will notify all resident family point of contact when visitations are allowed.
Perry Lutheran Homes continues to work very closely with health officials to ensure we are taking all the appropriate steps. Emergency response procedures continue to be activated. Please know that the health and safety of your loved one continues to be our number one priority. Our team is doing everything we can to keep COVID-19 out of our care communities.
We will continue to provide you with updates as they become available. Guidance from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requires that we provide updated reports of COVID-19 in our nursing home to residents, resident representatives, and their families. CMS allows these reports to be provided to you through our website at this link: https://perrylutheranhome.org/covid-19/.
Finally, we want to assure family members that we will communicate all updates about your loved ones to the assigned resident representative we have on file. We will make contact with you regarding COVID-19 should your loved one show symptoms, require a test, etc.
Please join us in praying for the safety and wellbeing of all residents, resident families, and employees.
Sincerely,
Melissa Gannon, COO & Administrator
Perry Lutheran Homes
September 15, 2020
Employee testing continues according to guidelines set forth by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) outlined in the September 8, 2020 update. Should one staff member test positive, families will be notified and CMS is now considering one positive to be classified as an "outbreak".
Please know that we are doing everything we can to keep your loved one safe and well, and thank you for your prayers and support.
Sincerely,
Melissa Gannon, COO & Administrator
Perry Lutheran Homes
September 8, 2020
To Our Residents/Tenants and Family Members at Willis Campus:
As we continue to navigate through this COVID-19 pandemic, testing for the virus is an important part in keeping our residents and team members safe. On August 25, 2020 the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have issued new guidance regarding the frequency and criteria of testing for COVID-19.
Routine Staff Testing Requirements
Nursing homes, which would include Perry Lutheran Homes Willis Campus, must conduct routine testing of all staff with the frequency determined by CMS’s calculation of community prevalence in Dallas County. Other campus team members who spend any time at Willis Campus would also be required to be tested.
Below are the employee testing frequency guidelines:
| Activity Category | Dallas County Positive Rate in the Past Week | Minimum Testing Frequency |
| Low | < 5% | Once per month |
| Medium | 5% - 10% | Once per week |
| High | > 10% | Twice per week |
If Dallas County’s positive rate increases, Perry Lutheran Homes would adjust the testing schedule for the appropriate frequency. If Dallas County’s positive rate decreases, the lower positive rate must be sustained for a period of two weeks before Perry Lutheran Homes could reduce testing to the appropriate testing frequency. With the rapid-test antigen testing machine, Perry Lutheran Homes will have individual test results within 15 minutes.
Outbreak Testing Requirements
If Perry Lutheran Homes experiences one new confirmed case of COVID-19 among team members or residents, it will be considered by CMS to be an outbreak. If there is an outbreak, Perry Lutheran Homes will be required to test all residents and staff and respond accordingly, including follow-up testing should there be any positive results from the testing. Because of this, your loved one may be tested more frequently. A testing consent form to cover future testing is enclosed for your convenience to complete and return to us.
Keeping your loved one safe remains our number one priority. If you have any questions regarding testing requirements, please reach out to Melissa Gannon at 515-465-5342. Additionally, we are happy to provide you with updates on your loved one and/or to help you stay connected with your loved one through safe visits, video calls and more by reaching out to Jenna Larson at 515-465-5342 or jlarson@PerryLutheranHomes.org.
We thank you for your continued patience and understanding, and ask that you continue to pray for the safety and wellbeing for our residents, resident families and team members.
Sincerely,
Melissa Gannon, COO & Administrator
Perry Lutheran Homes
August 18, 2020
To Our Residents/Tenants and Family Members at Willis Campus:
As you know, we are updating you on the results of our testing of all employees at Perry Lutheran Homes’ Willis Campus. Perry Lutheran Homes has been adhering to strict COVID-19 prevention and control processes and procedures at or above recommended local, state, and national health agency guideline levels since the onset of this pandemic.
Out of all 100 staff tests conducted, there was only one (1) employee confirmed positive cases of COVID-19.
Employees that tested positive were asymptomatic at the time of testing and were immediately notified and prohibited from entering Perry Lutheran Homes care communities. They are now in isolation at home for at least 10 days following the recommended protocols from local, state and national health agencies. Before employees are able to work again, they must be symptom free for 3 days and at least 10 days from onset of symptoms.
We continue to work very closely with local, state and national health officials to ensure we are taking all the appropriate steps. Emergency response procedures continue to be activated. Please know that the health and safety of your loved one continues to be our number one priority. All of us at Perry Lutheran Homes – Willis Campus and Spring Valley Campus are doing everything we can to keep COVID-19 out of our care communities.
Please call and set up times to visit your loved ones as we are resuming visits. They will need to follow social distancing guidelines and will be outside as the weather allows. I encourage you to call Perry Lutheran Homes (Willis Campus – 515-465-5342) for updates on the status of your loved one. Additionally, we encourage you to remain connected with your loved one through video chat, phone calls, texts, social media, or by emailing info@perrylutheranhomes.org.
We will continue to provide you with updates as they become available. Guidance from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requires that we provide updated reports of COVID-19 in our nursing home to residents, resident representatives, and their families. CMS allows these reports to be provided to you through our website at this link: https://perrylutheranhome.org/covid-19/.
Finally, we want to assure family members that we will communicate all updates about your loved ones to the assigned resident representative we have on file. We will make contact with you regarding COVID-19 should your loved one show symptoms, require a test, etc.
Please join us in praying for the safety and wellbeing of all residents, resident families, and employees.
Sincerely,
Melissa Gannon, COO & Administrator
Perry Lutheran Homes
August 18, 2020
To Our Perry Lutheran Homes Spring Valley Campus:
In our continued efforts to be transparent and forthcoming with information, we were informed that one (1) Perry Lutheran Homes Spring Valley Campus' tenant has tested positive for COVID-19. We currently have one (1) additional tenant with positive symptoms for COVID-19.
One tenant is receiving medical care and is not currently residing at Spring Valley. The other tenant will be in isolation for 14 days and/or until they test negative for COVID-19.
We are very closely monitoring all tenants and staff. At this time, we are planning to retest all tenants and staff as soon as we are able. We continue to work very closely with local, state and national health officials to ensure we are taking all the appropriate steps. Emergency response procedures continue to be activated. Please know that the health and safety of tenants and staff continues to be our number one priority.
Because Spring Valley Campus has remained COVID-19 free for so long, it takes only one confirmed positive case to bring us from Phase 3 of reopening back to Phase 1. These guidelines are set forth by government health agencies to ensure safety of loved ones.
Effective August 18, 2020, Spring Valley Campus returns to Phase 1 of the reopen plan. No in-person visits can take place while in Phase 1. We would love to help you arrange instead a front-door visit, window visit, video call, or other type of visit with your loved one. In order for Spring Valley Campus to return to Phase 2, we need to have no new confirmed positive cases for 14 days, and there must be a downward trend in number of cases in Dallas County.
All of us at Perry Lutheran Homes-Willis Campus and Spring Valley Campus are working together to do everything we can to keep COVID-19 out of our care communities. Thank you for your adherence to necessary protocols and procedures to keep our tenants safe, and we ask for your continued focus in the days and months ahead.
We know that this is a difficult time for you and your loved one. I encourage you to call Perry Lutheran Homes - Spring Valley Campus- 515-465-7500 for updates on the status of your loved one. Additionally,
we encourage you to remain connected with your loved one through video chat, phone calls, texts, social media, or by emailing info@perrylutheranhomes.org.
Please join us in continuing to pray for the safety and wellbeing of all tenants, families, and staff. Sincerely,
Amanda Cregeen, RN
Independent & Assisted Living Coordinator
Perry Lutheran Homes-Spring Valley Campus
August 7, 2020
To Our Residents and Family Members:
It is our commitment to continue providing information and updates regarding COVID-19. We have been informed that one (1) of our Perry Lutheran Homes – Willis Campus employees has a confirmed positive case of COVID-19.
The employee that tested positive is in isolation at home following the recommended protocols from local, state and national health agencies. Before employees are able to work again, Perry Lutheran Homes will be following the CDC guidelines for healthcare workers to return after a positive COVID-19 diagnosis. CDC guidelines are as followed: at least 3 days (72 hours) have passed since recovery defined as resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and improvement in respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath); and at least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared.
We are very closely monitoring all residents and staff. At this time, we are planning to retest all staff as soon as we are able. We continue to work very closely with local, state and national health officials to ensure we are taking all the appropriate steps. Emergency response procedures continue to be activated.
Because Willis Campus has remained COVID-19 free for so long, it takes only two confirmed positive case to bring us from Phase 2 of reopening back to Phase 1. These guidelines are set forth by government health agencies to ensure safety of loved ones.
Effective August 7, 2020, Perry Lutheran Homes - Willis Campus returns to Phase 2 of the reopen plan. We have temporarily suspended in person visits. We would love to help you arrange instead a front-door visit, window visit, video call, or other type of visit with your loved one. In order for Perry Lutheran Homes - Willis Campus to return to Phase 3, we need to have no new confirmed positive cases for 14 days, and there must be a downward trend in number of cases in Dallas County.
The health and safety of your loved ones continues to be our number one priority. All of us at Perry Lutheran Homes – Willis Campus and Spring Valley Campus are doing everything we can to keep COVID-19 out of our care communities. We appreciate all your support, understanding and patience as we work through this time of pandemic together.
We know that not being able to visit your loved one in person is very difficult. I encourage you to call us for updates on the status of your loved one at 515-465-5342. Additionally, we encourage you to remain connected with your loved one through front-door visits, window visits, video chat, phone calls, texts, social media, or by email. We are happy to help you with any of these.
We will continue to provide you with updates as they become available.
Thank you for your continued prayers for the safety and wellbeing of all residents, families, and staff members.
Sincerely,
Melissa Gannon, COO & Administrator
Perry Lutheran Homes
August 3, 2020
There continues to be no cases of COVID-19 for residents and no new cases of COVID-19 for staff since July 9. Both campuses continue to work their way through the proper reopen phases.
Our team continues to do everything we can to keep your loved ones safe, healthy and well.
Thank you for your continued prayers.
Sincerely,
Melissa Gannon, COO & Administrator
Perry Lutheran Homes
July 27, 2020
At Perry Lutheran Homes Willis Campus, there continues to be no cases of COVID-19 for residents and no cases of COVID-19 for staff
At Perry Lutheran Homes Spring Valley Campus, we have been informed that one (1) of our employees has a confirmed positive case of COVID-19.
The employee that tested positive is in isolation at home for at least 10 days following the recommended protocols from local, state and national health agencies. Before employees are able to work again Spring Valley Campus will be following the CDC guidelines for healthcare workers to return after a positive COVID-19 diagnosis.
We are very closely monitoring all tenants and staff. We continue to work very closely with local, state and national health officials to ensure we are taking all the appropriate steps. Emergency response procedures continue to be activated. Both campuses continue to work adhere to the various reopen plans and phases.
Our team continues to do everything we can to keep your loved ones safe, healthy and well.
Thank you for your patience, grace and understanding as we navigate these uncertain times together.
Sincerely,
Melissa Gannon, COO & Administrator
Perry Lutheran Homes
July 20, 2020
There continues to be no cases of COVID-19 for residents and no new cases of COVID-19 for staff since July 9. Both campuses continue to work their way through the proper reopen phases.
Our team continues to do everything we can to keep your loved ones safe, healthy and well.
Thank you to our resident families, community members, and more. Your prayers, donations, monetary gifts, resident and staff meals and treats mean the world.
Sincerely,
Melissa Gannon, COO & Administrator
Perry Lutheran Homes
July 9, 2020
To Our Residents and Family Members at Perry Lutheran Homes – Willis Campus:
At this time, Perry Lutheran Homes – Willis Campus remains COVID-19 free and is able to continue on to Phase 3 of the reopen plan. We enter this phase with the same caution and vigilance as before.
We are excited to announce that as of July 9, 2020, all residents living at Perry Lutheran Homes – Willis Campus may have in-person visits. These visits must be scheduled in advance and will be in designated places outside or indoors to ensure proper social distancing and sanitation before and after each visit. Residents may have 2 visitors per visit and 5 visits per week as scheduling allows. It is imperative that all residents and family members adhere to social distancing, infection control and COVID-19 screening procedures.
Willis Campus is now in Phase 3; however, just one confirmed positive case of COVID-19 will take us back to Phase 1. Perry Lutheran Homes will continue to work very closely with local, state and national health officials to ensure we are taking all the appropriate steps as we work to reopen our campuses to visitors.
We encourage you to continue to call Perry Lutheran Homes for updates on the status of your loved one at 515-465-5342. Additionally, we encourage you to remain connected with your loved one through video chat, phone calls, texts, social media, or by emailing info@perrylutheranhomes.org.
Thank you for your prayers, support, understanding and grace as we work to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic together.
Sincerely,
Melissa Gannon, COO & Administrator
Perry Lutheran Homes
July 9, 2020
To Our Tenants and Family Members - Spring Valley Campus:
It is our commitment to continue providing information and updates regarding COVID-19. We have been informed that one (1) of our Perry Lutheran Homes – Spring Valley Campus employees has a confirmed positive case of COVID-19.
The employee that tested positive is in isolation at home for at least 10 days following the recommended protocols from local, state and national health agencies. Before employees are able to work again Spring Valley Campus will be following the CDC guidelines for healthcare workers to return after a positive COVID-19 diagnosis. CDC guidelines are as followed: at least 3 days (72 hours) have passed since recovery defined as resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and improvement in respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath); and at least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared.
We are very closely monitoring all tenants and staff. At this time, we are planning to retest all tenants and staff as soon as we are able. We continue to work very closely with local, state and national health officials to ensure we are taking all the appropriate steps. Emergency response procedures continue to be activated.
Because Spring Valley Campus has remained COVID-19 free for so long, it takes only one confirmed positive case to bring us from Phase 2 of reopening back to Phase 1. These guidelines are set forth by government health agencies to ensure safety of loved ones.
Effective July 9, 2020, Spring Valley Campus returns to Phase 1 of the reopen plan. No in-person visits can take place while in Phase 1. We would love to help you arrange instead a front-door visit, window visit, video call, or other type of visit with your loved one. In order for Spring Valley Campus to return to Phase 2, we need to have no new confirmed positive cases for 14 days, and there must be a downward trend in number of cases in Dallas County.
The health and safety of your loved ones continues to be our number one priority. All of us at Perry Lutheran Homes – Willis Campus and Spring Valley Campus are doing everything we can to keep COVID-19 out of our care communities. We appreciate all your support, understanding and patience as we work through this time of pandemic together.
We know that not being able to visit your loved one in person is very difficult. I encourage you to call us for updates on the status of your loved one at 515-465-7500. Additionally, we encourage you to remain connected with your loved one through front-door visits, window visits, video chat, phone calls, texts, social media, or by email. We are happy to help you with any of these.
We will continue to provide you with updates as they become available.
Thank you for your continued prayers for the safety and wellbeing of all tenants, families, and staff members.
Sincerely,
Melissa Gannon, COO & Administrator
Perry Lutheran Homes
July 6, 2020
At this time, Perry Lutheran Homes Spring Valley Campus and Willis Campus remain COVID-19 free.
We continue working very closely with local, state and national health officials to ensure we are taking all the appropriate steps as we work to keep your loved ones safe, healthy and well as we reopen our campuses.
Thank you for your patience, understanding, support and prayers. We are truly grateful.
Sincerely,
Melissa Gannon, COO & Administrator
Perry Lutheran Homes
June 29, 2020
We are pleased to report that Perry Lutheran Homes Spring Valley Campus and Willis Campus remain COVID-19 free and remain in Phase 2 of the reopening plan.
Our team will continue to work very closely with local, state and national health officials to ensure we are taking all the appropriate steps as we work to keep your loved ones safe, healthy and well as we reopen our campuses.
We are grateful for your understanding, support and prayers as we work together to safely navigate the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sincerely,
Melissa Gannon, COO & Administrator
Perry Lutheran Homes
June 22, 2020
To Our Residents/Tenants and Family Members:
We hope that you will share in our optimism as we look toward the reopening of Perry Lutheran Homes – Spring Valley Campus and Willis Campus. It is an immense blessing to report that at this time, Perry Lutheran Homes Spring Valley Campus and Willis Campus are both COVID-19 free.
There are three phases of the state of Iowa’s reopening plan. Today, I am pleased to report that we have progressed to Phase 2 of the reopening plan for both Spring Valley Campus and Willis Campus. Perry Lutheran Homes will continue to work very closely with local, state and national health officials to ensure we are taking all the appropriate steps as we work to reopen our campuses.
We enter this phase with the same caution and vigilance as before; however, an ease of visiting restrictions can now be permitted in instances of significant changes of condition, psychosocial/medical issues, and end-of-life care situations. All visitations will need to be approved.
We encourage you to continue to call Perry Lutheran Homes (Willis Campus – 515-465-5342 | Spring Valley Campus – 515-465-7500) for updates on the status of your loved one. Additionally, we encourage you to remain connected with your loved one through video chat, phone calls, texts, social media, or by emailing info@perrylutheranhomes.org.
Thank you for your patience and support these past few months as we have all worked together to safely navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. Your prayers and support have helped to make it possible for us to progress to this new phase of safely reopening for visitation.
Sincerely,
Melissa Gannon, COO & Administrator
Perry Lutheran Homes
June 15, 2020
There have been no changes in the number of cases for residents or staff since June 8.
Our team continues to do everything we can to keep your loved ones safe, healthy and well.
Thank you to our resident families, community members, and more. Your prayers, donations, monetary gifts, resident and staff meals and treats mean the world. We are truly grateful.
Sincerely,
Melissa Gannon, COO & Administrator
Perry Lutheran Homes
June 8, 2020
To Our Residents/Tenants and Family Members:
It is our commitment to continue providing information and updates regarding COVID-19. As of June 3, there were two (2) confirmed positive cases that are residents at Perry Lutheran Homes’ Willis Campus.
Last week, we were able to test all residents and staff at Perry Lutheran Homes’ Willis Campus. Out of all 147 resident and staff tests conducted, there were zero (0) additional resident cases of COVID-19. There were zero (0) employee confirmed positive cases of COVID-19. Perry Lutheran Homes’ Spring Valley Campus remains COVID-19 free at this time.
The two residents with COVID-19 are receiving appropriate medical care and are in isolation. We continue to work very closely with local, state and national health officials to ensure we are taking all the appropriate steps. Emergency response procedures continue to be activated. Perry Lutheran Homes has been adhering to strict COVID-19 prevention and control processes and procedures at or above recommended local, state, and national health agency guideline levels since the onset of this pandemic.
The health and safety of residents and staff continues to be our number one priority. All of us at Perry Lutheran Homes – Willis Campus and Spring Valley Campus are doing everything we can to keep COVID-19 out of our care communities.
We know that not being able to visit your loved one is very difficult. I encourage you to call Perry Lutheran Homes (Willis Campus – 515-465-5342 | Spring Valley Campus – 515-465-7500) for updates on the status of your loved one. Additionally, we encourage you to remain connected with your loved one through front-door visits, window visits, video chat, phone calls, texts, social media, or by emailing info@perrylutheranhomes.org. We are happy to help you schedule a visit or video chat.
We are finding ways to safely continue engaging residents with one-to-one staff visits, in-room activities, outdoor activities and more.
We will continue to provide you with updates as they become available. Guidance from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requires that we provide updated reports of COVID-19 in our nursing home to residents, resident representatives, and their families. CMS allows these reports to be provided to you through our website at this link: https://perrylutheranhome.org/covid-19/.
CMS requires that we inform residents, their representatives, and families of either a single confirmed infection of COVID-19 in our care community, or three or more residents or staff with new-onset of respiratory symptoms occurring within 72 hours. We cannot provide information that will personally identify a resident, but we will be providing a cumulative amount of information regarding COVID-19 on our website at least weekly at this link: https://perrylutheranhome.org/covid-19/.
We will also update the cumulative data of COVID-19 by 5 p.m. the next calendar day following a subsequent confirmed case of COVID-19 on the campus, or whenever three or more residents or staff with new onset of respiratory symptoms occur within 72 hours of each other on our website at this link: https://perrylutheranhome.org/covid-19/.
Finally, we want to assure family members that we will communicate all updates about your loved ones to the assigned resident representative we have on file. We will make contact with you regarding COVID-19 should your loved one show symptoms, require a test, etc.
Join us in continuing to pray for the safety and wellbeing of all residents, resident families, and employees.
Sincerely,
Melissa Gannon, COO & Administrator
Perry Lutheran Homes
June 3, 2020
To Our Residents/Tenants and Family Members:
In our continued efforts to be transparent and forthcoming with information, we were informed that one (1) additional Perry Lutheran Homes Willis Campus’ resident has tested positive for COVID-19 since the May 30, 2020 update. At this time, we have two (2) resident and zero (0) employee positives cases of COVID-19.
One resident is receiving medical care and is not currently residing at Perry Lutheran Homes. The other resident will be in isolation for 14 days and until they test negative for COVID-19.
We are very closely monitoring all residents and staff. We are currently working to retest all residents and staff as soon as we are able. The Perry Lutheran Homes team continues to work very closely with local, state and national health officials to ensure we are taking all the appropriate steps.
Perry Lutheran Homes has been adhering to strict COVID-19 prevention and control processes and procedures at or above recommended local, state, and national health agency guideline levels since the onset of this pandemic. Emergency response procedures continue to be activated. Please know that the health and safety of residents and staff continues to be our number one priority. All of us at Perry Lutheran Homes are working together to do everything we can to keep COVID-19 out of our care communities and stop any spread within.
I encourage you to call Perry Lutheran Homes (Willis Campus – 515-465-5342 | Spring Valley Campus – 515-465-7500) for updates on the status of your loved one. Additionally, we encourage you to remain connected with your loved one through video chat, phone calls, texts, social media, or by emailing info@perrylutheranhomes.org.
We will continue to provide you with updates as they become available.
Thank you for your support and encouragement through these challenging times. We are truly grateful.
Sincerely,
Melissa Gannon, COO & Administrator
Perry Lutheran Homes
May 30, 2020
To Our Residents/Tenants and Family Members:
One of the things we’ve committed to you during this pandemic, is to communicate when we have new information regarding COVID-19. Today, we were informed that one (1) of Perry Lutheran Homes Willis Campus’ residents has tested positive for COVID-19.
This resident is receiving medical care and is not currently residing at Perry Lutheran Homes. We are very closely monitoring all residents and staff. At this time, we are planning to retest all residents and staff as soon as we are able. We continue to work very closely with local, state and national health officials to ensure we are taking all the appropriate steps.
Perry Lutheran Homes has been adhering to strict COVID-19 prevention and control processes and procedures at or above recommended local, state, and national health agency guideline levels since the onset of this pandemic. Emergency response procedures continue to be activated. Please know that the health and safety of your loved one continues to be our number one priority. All of us at Perry Lutheran Homes – Willis Campus and Spring Valley Campus are doing everything we can to keep COVID-19 out of our care communities.
We know that this is a difficult time for you and your loved one. I encourage you to call Perry Lutheran Homes (Willis Campus – 515-465-5342 | Spring Valley Campus – 515-465-7500) for updates on the status of your loved one. Additionally, we encourage you to remain connected with your loved one through video chat, phone calls, texts, social media, or by emailing info@perrylutheranhomes.org.
We will continue to provide you with updates as they become available. Guidance from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requires that we provide updated reports of COVID-19 in our nursing home to residents, resident representatives, and their families. CMS allows these reports to be provided to you through our website at this link: https://perrylutheranhome.org/covid-19/.
CMS requires that we inform residents, their representatives, and families of either a single confirmed infection of COVID-19 in our care community, or three or more residents or staff with new-onset of respiratory symptoms occurring within 72 hours. We cannot provide information that will personally identify a resident, but we will be providing information regarding COVID-19 on our website at least weekly at this link: https://perrylutheranhome.org/covid-19/.
Finally, we want to assure family members that we will communicate all updates about your loved ones to the assigned resident representative we have on file. We will make contact with you regarding COVID-19 should your loved one show symptoms, require a test, etc.
Please join us in continuing to pray for the safety and wellbeing of all residents, resident families, and staff.
Sincerely,
Melissa Gannon, COO & Administrator
Perry Lutheran Homes
May 28, 2020
To Our Residents/Tenants and Family Members:
In our continued efforts to be transparent and forthcoming with information, we are informing you of one, new employee positive for COVID-19.
As of today, we have zero (0) resident cases of COVID-19 and one (1) employee positive. We will continue to test both residents and staff as symptoms warrant. Any staff with symptoms is not allowed to work.
The employee that tested positive was immediately notified and prohibited from entering Perry Lutheran Homes care communities. They are now in isolation at home following the recommended protocols from local, state and national health agencies. Before employees are able to work again, they must be symptom free and test negative for COVID-19.
Perry Lutheran Homes’ Spring Valley Campus and Willis Campus has been adhering to strict COVID-19 prevention and control processes and procedures at or above recommended local, state, and national health agency guideline levels since the onset of this pandemic. We continue to be vigilant in order to best protect our residents and staff.
Reach out to us if you’d like updates on the status of your loved one or with any questions you may have: Spring Valley Campus – 515-465-7500 or Willis Campus – 515-465-5342. Please join us in prayer for the continued safety and well-being of residents, resident families and staff.
Sincerely,
Melissa Gannon, COO & Administrator
Perry Lutheran Homes
May 25, 2020
There have been no changes in the number of cases for residents or staff since May 18.
Again we give thanks to our resident families, community members, businesses and organizations and more. Your prayers, donations, monetary gifts, resident and staff meals and treats mean the world. We are truly grateful.
Sincerely,
Melissa Gannon, COO & Administrator
Perry Lutheran Homes
May 18, 2020
To Our Residents/Tenants and Family Members:
There have been no changes in the number of cases for residents or staff since May 11.
We continue to report zero (0) resident cases of COVID-19. The four (4) employees that tested positive remain isolated, at home. We will continue to test both residents and staff as symptoms warrant. Any staff with symptoms is not allowed to work.
As the state of Iowa works to reopen, Perry Lutheran Homes – Spring Valley Campus and Willis Campus will be staying the course for an extended period of time with only essential medical personnel allowed to enter.
With 40 percent of deaths coming from senior care communities, we must remain vigilant in keeping COVID-19 out of our buildings. Be assured the health and safety of your loved one remains our top priority. We continue to work very closely with local, state and national health officials to ensure we are taking all the appropriate steps. Emergency response procedures continue to be activated. As we have for the past two months, our team is doing everything we can to defend against any COVID-19 outbreak in our care communities.
We understand that not being able to visit your loved one in person is difficult. We encourage you to stay connected to them through phone calls, emails, texts, video chats or social media. We are happy to assist you in setting up a day and time to video chat or arrange a front-door visit. Or, if you would like to send a message or photo via email, we’d be happy to deliver to your loved one. Reach out to us at info@perrylutheranhomes.org.
Reach out to us if you’d like updates on the status of your loved one or with any questions you may have: Spring Valley Campus – 515-465-7500 or Willis Campus – 515-465-5342. Last, join us in prayer for the continued safety and well-being of residents, resident families and staff.
Thank you to our resident families, community members, businesses and organizations and more. Your prayers, donations, monetary gifts, resident and staff meals and treats mean the world. We feel truly blessed by you all!
Sincerely,
Melissa Gannon, COO & Administrator
Perry Lutheran Homes
May 11, 2020
To Our Residents/Tenants and Family Members:
In our continued efforts to be transparent and forthcoming with information, we are updating you on the results of our organization-wide testing of all residents and employees at both Perry Lutheran Homes’ Spring Valley Campus and Willis Campus. Perry Lutheran Homes has been adhering to strict COVID-19 prevention and control processes and procedures at or above recommended local, state, and national health agency guideline levels since the onset of this pandemic.
Out of all 180 resident and staff tests conducted, there were only four (4) employee confirmed positive cases of COVID-19. There were zero (0) resident/tenant cases of COVID-19.
Employees that tested positive were asymptomatic at the time of testing and were immediately notified and prohibited from entering Perry Lutheran Homes care communities. They are now in isolation at home for at least 14 days following the recommended protocols from local, state and national health agencies. Before employees are able to work again, they must be symptom free and test negative for COVID-19.
We continue to work very closely with local, state and national health officials to ensure we are taking all the appropriate steps. Emergency response procedures continue to be activated. Please know that the health and safety of your loved one continues to be our number one priority. All of us at Perry Lutheran Homes – Willis Campus and Spring Valley Campus are doing everything we can to keep COVID-19 out of our care communities.
We know that this is a stressful time for you, and not being able to visit your loved one is very difficult. I encourage you to call Perry Lutheran Homes (Willis Campus – 515-465-5342 | Spring Valley Campus – 515-465-7500) for updates on the status of your loved one. Additionally, we encourage you to remain connected with your loved one through video chat, phone calls, texts, social media, or by emailing info@perrylutheranhomes.org.
We will continue to provide you with updates as they become available. Guidance from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requires that we provide updated reports of COVID-19 in our nursing home to residents, resident representatives, and their families. CMS allows these reports to be provided to you through our website at this link: https://perrylutheranhome.org/covid-19/.
CMS requires that we inform residents, their representatives, and families of either a single confirmed infection of COVID-19 in our care community, or three or more residents or staff with new-onset of respiratory symptoms occurring within 72 hours. We cannot provide information that will personally identify a resident, but we will be providing a cumulative amount of information regarding COVID-19 on our website at least weekly at this link: https://perrylutheranhome.org/covid-19/.
We will also update the cumulative data of COVID-19 by 5 p.m. the next calendar day following a subsequent confirmed case of COVID-19 on the campus, or whenever three or more residents or staff with new onset of respiratory symptoms occur within 72 hours of each other on our website at this link: https://perrylutheranhome.org/covid-19/.
Finally, we want to assure family members that we will communicate all updates about your loved ones to the assigned resident representative we have on file. We will make contact with you regarding COVID-19 should your loved one show symptoms, require a test, etc.
Please join us in praying for the safety and well-being of all residents, resident families, and employees.
Sincerely,
Melissa Gannon, COO & Administrator
Perry Lutheran Homes
Follow Us On Facebook!