Covid Support for Long Term Care Residents
Please review Covid Precautions Illustration
The following COVID-19 – Decision Tree for Positive Test Result reflects the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Minnesota Department of Health and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The tree represents actions to be taken in the event an individual is exposed to someone with a confirmed case of COVID-19 at any location (work, home, activities, etc.) The tree reflects the fact that immunity wanes as we age, hence the interventions are different for residents than they are for staff. This tree will be updated if the guidance changes.
Governor Walz announced yesterday his plans to remove the mask mandate in Minnesota. This change will not affect the requirement for staff, residents, and visitors to wear masks based upon the CDC, MDH, and CMS requirements. These guidelines will remain in place.
Masks use generates lots of questions and guidance about mask use is complicated. Following are the highlights for mask use in long-term care settings.
· When do staff have to wear masks? Staff must wear masks (and eye protection) in all resident care areas. Resident care areas include anywhere residents can routinely be in your settings such as common areas, nurses’ stations, hallways, units, households, resident rooms, etc.
· When do residents have to wear mask? Residents should remain masked when there is an unvaccinated resident in the same room, space, or area. This means, residents should remain masked in hallways and going to/from activities or dining.
· When is mask use optional? Organizations can opt to have policies and procedures giving residents and staff the option NOT to wear a mask in the following situations:
· If all residents participating in an activity are fully vaccinated, they do not need to socially distance and they do not need to have on a mask. This is complicated by each residents right to privacy. We cannot disclose which of our residents choose to be vaccinated and which of our residents choose not to be vaccinated or may be medically unable to receive the vaccine. Because of this we are requesting all residents to wear masks in public area when within 6’ of any other resident or visitor who the resident does not have personal knowledge of vaccination status.
· If all residents in the dining area are fully vaccinated, they do not need to socially distance and they do not need to have on a mask. NOTE: In both aforementioned scenarios, if there is a resident present that is not fully vaccinated, everyone will need to have on a mask and the unvaccinated resident will need to physically distance from the other participants.
· If a resident is fully vaccinated and they are visiting with someone in their apartment, they can choose not to wear a mask.
· If a fully vaccinated visitor is visiting with a fully vaccinated resident in a resident room or apartment, neither the resident nor the visitor is required to wear a mask. If the visitor is unvaccinated, the visitor must still wear his/her mask and maintain 6’ social distancing.
· Staff who are fully vaccinated and in non – resident care areas such as breakrooms, conference rooms, meeting rooms, etc. are not required to wear a mask. Again, if there is an unvaccinated staff person present, all staff will need to wear and mask, and the unvaccinated staff person will need to physically distance from the rest of the staff members present.
We are excited about the steps toward our new normal. We continue to strive to provide a safe environment for all of our residents, staff and visitors.
If you have questions regarding where you might receive a vaccination, please contact Lynn Gerard, Director of Quality Improvement, Education and Risk Management at LGerard@ga-er.org
(information from Leading Age MN and Guardian Angels Senior Services)
Lynn Gerard, RN, BSN
Director of Quality Improvement, Education and Risk Management
LGerard@GA-ER.org
Guardian Angels Senior Services
508 Freeport Ave, Suite A
Elk River, MN 55330
763-635-5490
GA By The Lake- Indoor visitation has now resumed. Please remember to wear your mask while visiting your loved-one's apartment.
GA Care Center- Visitation is currently restricted to Essential Caregivers and Compassionate care visits until further notice
Riverview Landing-Visitation is currently restricted to Essential Caregivers and Compassionate care visits until further notice
MN Department of Health has updated visitation guidelines-CLICK HERE for more information.
Click here for Myths and Facts on COVID-19 Vaccine
Click here to discover a COVID-19 vaccination site near you
Watch video and learn more about the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine from MN Association of Geriatrics Inspired Clinicians
Guardian Angels Independent Senior Housing (HUD & Market Rate) will be offered COVID-19 Vaccine on the following dates:
Elk River Campus:
• 2/5/21, 3/5/21, 4/2/21 from 9a-3p
Zimmerman Campus:
• 1/30/21, 2/27/21, 3/27/21 from 9a-1p
Becker:
• 2/2/21, 3/2/21, 3/30/21 from 9a-2p
If you have any questions-please call Housing office @763-241-4430
We are grateful to announce residents and staff at Guardian Angels Assisted Living communities will be offered the COVID-19 vaccine on the following dates:
Thursday, January 14th-Engel Haus (Albertville)
Tuesday, January 19th-GA By The Lake (Elk River)
Thursday, January 28th-Riverview Landing (Otsego)
Walgreens Pharmacy will administer the vaccine. Please check your email carefully for consent forms and more information.
*HUD Independent Living, Evans Park and Pullman Place Cooperative will be scheduled at a later phase. More details to come.
Thank you,
Guardian Angels Senior Services
J
"Guardian Angels Senior Services is so thankful that the vaccine is finally here! It is a vital step in continuing to protect our residents and staff from this terrible life depleting virus. The vaccination promises a better tomorrow for all of us.”
Dan Dixon, President/CEO
Read Elk River Star News article on the vaccine distribution here
Residents and staff of Guardian Angels Care Center will be offered the COVID-19 vaccine on Tuesday, December 29, 2020. Please check your email carefully for consent forms for residents.
Thank you!
Guardian Angels Care Center
Click here to learn more on COVID-19 Vaccines from Mayo Clinic Health System
Dear Resident and/or Responsible Party,
Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is one of the best ways to protect yourself and everyone around you, particularly those who are at increased risk for severe illness. Wearing masks and social distancing help reduce your chance of being exposed to the virus or spreading it to others, but these measures are not enough. Vaccines will work with your immune system, so it is ready to fight the virus if you are exposed. Getting these shots will not only protect you from being infected; it will help us take a big step towards ending this pandemic.
The average age of residents in long term care facilities is 85 and almost every one of them has an underlying health condition, and some have multiple chronic conditions. According to CDC data, the risk of mortality in this age group is 630 times higher than those 18-29 years old. While many industries can stay open or partially open with safety measures, long term care communities will not be able to return to normal until there is a vaccine.
Is there are risk that I can get COVID-19 from the vaccination?
No, there is no risk of getting COVID-19 from the vaccination. This vaccination contains no actual COVID-19 virus. You may experience some side effects from the vaccine such as a sore arm, mild aches, or fever. This is your immune system responding to the vaccine and is expected. This does not mean you are getting sick with COVID-19. We need the vaccine to trigger this immune response to produce the immunity you need against COVID-19.
Scientists have worked on coronavirus research for decades starting with the original SARS outbreak and influenza. Scientists only needed to isolate certain things about COVID-19 to begin creating a vaccine because we already know so much about the type of virus. Due to the public health crisis created by the pandemic, many private, government and independent groups came together and cooperated on a vaccine. This scale of cooperation is not typical, and the partnership created resources and information sharing to develop the vaccine faster.
There may be side-effects from the COVID-19 vaccination such as a sore arm, mild, generalized aches, headache, and fever. These side effects are more common after the first injection and not as common after the second injection. This vaccine will not make you sick with COVID-19; the side-effects are a result of your body’s immune system working to understand and create a response to the virus which is needed for your immunity. The long-term effects are still being studied. The first two months show no severe side effects. As with all vaccinations, long-term effects are monitored for up to 10 years.
It is important you still receive a flu shot. However, it is not recommended to have a flu shot within one month of the COVID-19 vaccine. If you have not already received your flu shot, speak with your supervisor or your doctor about the best plan for receiving flu vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine.
No, there will be no cost to you for the vaccine.
The vaccine includes two injections. The second injection will either be given 21- or 28-days after the first injection. The timeframe for the second injection depends upon the manufacturer and what is written in the emergency use authorization. Your organization will make sure you have this information once vaccines are distributed and ready for administration.
We don’t know. Because the vaccine is new, the length of immunity is unknown. There are some vaccines that do not require additional shots and there are other vaccines, such as the tetanus vaccine, that require periodic boosters. The vaccine will continue to be studied over time and if additional boosters are needed that information will be released when it is known.
In many cases, the way to develop natural immunity to a pathogen is to become sick, have our immune systems respond, and then our immune system “remembers” the pathogen to keep us from getting sick again. However, our immune systems cannot always “remember” the pathogen; or, it cannot always fight off the virus. Right now, we don’t know if becoming sick with COVID-19 actually causes you to be immune to re-infection with the virus or not. We believe the vaccination does provide immunity to the disease. Additionally, there is no way to predict whether or not someone with COVID-19 will develop severe disease and suffer significant health complications or not; becoming sick is a risk and there is no way to predict the outcome of illness. You will not become sick from the COVID-19 vaccine.
Long term care facilities will not be able to return to normal until a vaccine is administered to most residents and staff. As soon as we start to successfully administer the vaccine in our communities, we hope can begin to discuss what’s next for our community and for long-term care communities across our state. Until that time, please continue your infection prevention and control practices and follow the most current visitation guidance, even after you start vaccinations.
Director of Quality Improvement, Education and Risk Management
LGerard@GA-ER.org
All Employees:
Information on COVID-19 vaccination has been coming in over the past few weeks, but specifics on timeframes have not been made available yet.
What we know at this point is:
1. The Minnesota Department of Health has prioritized vaccine doses in the following manner:
a. Nursing home residents and healthcare workers will be the first group of individuals vaccinated for COVID-19. This is based on resident vulnerability and the staffing crisis created in some facilities as staff are out ill. In Minnesota 96% of nursing homes have reported at least one case of COVID-19.
b. Assisted living residents and healthcare workers will be the second group of individuals vaccinated.
Vaccination clinics will be held for residents and staff at your individual facilities.
The vaccine will require two doses to be effective, the initial dose and then one 28 days later (Moderna vaccine).
Staff who have had COVID-19 will still be able to receive vaccine, but may need to receive it at a later date.
This is not a “live virus”.
The reported side effects of the vaccine are actually the body’s immune response to the vaccine and demonstrate our body’s awareness of illness and response to stop the illness – develop antibodies. Side effects, if present, last reportedly up to 24-36 hours and include:
· Redness, swelling, irritation and some pain at injection site
· Fatigue, headache
· Low grade fever, chills
· Muscle aches
These side effects are reported in multiple locations (web sites, MDH, etc.) and include both Pfizer and Moderna. More specific information will be provided once FDA approval – “Emergency Use Authorization” is granted.
6. Vaccination is currently the only way to contain the spread of the virus. At present, the United States is reporting 200,000 new cases of COVID-19 daily; 3,000 people dying daily of COVID-19. More people are dying daily of COVID-19 right now than died on 9/11. These numbers continue to rise based on the number of people we encounter daily.
Thank you ,
Lynn Gerard, RN, BSN
Director of Quality Improvement, Education and Risk Management
Riverview Landing is currently permitting Essential Caregiver, Zoom, outdoor and window visits for Independent Living and Assisted Living. Additional visiting options are not available at this time.
To schedule-please email: rvl-family@ga-er.org
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Guardian Angels Riverview Landing
Attention All Employees
On November 18, 2020, Governor Tim Walz signed into order Executive Order 20-99. The majority of us are familiar with portions of this order including effect on restaurants, etc. The order also contains two different sections regarding travel out of the state of Minnesota. These sections are pasted below:
Finally, MDH has traced over 16,000 cases to out-of-state travel since the outset of this pandemic. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) warns that travel increases our chances of getting and spreading COVID-19 and that avoiding travel is the best way for us to protect ourselves and others. Our nearest neighbors—North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, and Wisconsin—are experiencing some of the highest nationwide per capita increases in COVID-19 cases, and 48 states are now in the Task Force “Red Zone” for new COVID-19 cases. It is simply not a good time for out-of-state travel that is anything short of essential, so this Order clarifies my recommendation that Minnesotans refrain from unnecessary out-of-state travel for the next four weeks and self-quarantine upon their return if they do decide to travel.
Travel advisory. Persons arriving in Minnesota from other states or countries, including returning Minnesota residents, are strongly encouraged to practice self-quarantine for 14 days after arrival by limiting their interactions to their immediate household. This recommendation does not apply to individuals who must cross state or country borders for work, study, medical care, or personal safety and security. Students returning home for school breaks are strongly encouraged to follow the recommendations available at MDH’s Institutes of Higher Education website : https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/schools/ihe.html
The Minnesota Department of Health is interpreting this more strictly and has provided guidance that staff who have traveled out of state may be removed from the schedule and placed on 14-day quarantine. In lieu of this, Guardian Angels reached out to the department of health for guidance.
If staff members are deemed necessary to work (services must be performed on a timely basis for residents and cannot be delayed, no replacement staff available or replacement staff is currently covering individuals actually diagnosed with COVID-19 or other illness), we may allow staff members who have traveled out of state to work. To help ensure the safety of our residents and other staff Guardian Angels will permit staff to work as long as the staff member is (1) asymptomatic, (2) no fever, (3) tests negative on an antigen test before working – COVID NASAL SWAB WITH IMMEDIATE RESULT. (4) submits to PCR testing twice weekly – COVID NASAL SWAB SENT TO PARTICIPATING LABORATORY.
It is difficult to not travel and see family and friends at this time of year. Please remember, Minnesota has high rates of COVID-19, but our neighboring states are worse! For your own personal sake and that of your family, please consider delaying travel until after vaccines are available. VACCINES are coming quickly!!!!!!!! Please be safe!!!
Lynn Gerard, RN, BSN
Director of Quality Improvement, Education and Risk Management
Guardian Angels Senior Services
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and we wish you all a happy holiday! Yesterday we received some excellent news that we would like to pass along to each of you.
We have all anxiously awaited news on COVID-19 vaccine and have been told perhaps it would be available in December. Two major pharmacy vendors in the United States were approved in advance to provide vaccine, Walgreens Pharmacy and CVS Pharmacy. Both pharmacies were able to provide extremely cold storage for the vaccine and both were in physical proximity to the majority of facilities in the United States.
Yesterday we received communication from Walgreens Pharmacy saying, and I quote “we will host immunization clinics for your residents/patients and staff (if they have not previously been immunized) over the next few weeks”.
Information finalizing this vaccination clinic will be forthcoming, we will pass that information on to you as we get it. We do know this:
Each resident and staff member receiving the vaccine will need to sign a consent form. Consent forms will be provided in advance via email for residents and/or responsible party signatures. It will be vital that these be completed and returned as soon as possible. Walgreens will come in on a predetermined date(s) with the vaccine, their staff will administer it. NO DOSES WILL REMAIN AT THE FACILITY for future administration. Doses will not be able to be ordered in from the pharmacy due to storage requirements.
Given the exponential spread of the virus, the only method available to halt viral transmission is by immunizing of as many people as possible. Due to the high risk (serious illness or death) to seniors and those with co-morbid conditions such as diabetes, seniors and healthcare staff are the first priority in vaccine administration.
We look forward to notifying you the dates for vaccine administration. This step brings us one step closer to reopening our communities to families and friends.
Sincerely,
Lynn Gerard
Lynn Gerard, RN, BSN
Director of Quality Improvement, Education and Risk Management
Engel Haus is currently permitting Essential Caregiver, Zoom, outdoor and window visits. Additional visiting options are not available at this time. To schedule-please email: eh-family@ga-er.org
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Guardian Angels Senior Services
Riverview Landing is currently closed for all visits, including Essential Caregiver visits due to a recent spike in COVID-19 activity this week. All residents and families who have tested positive have already been notified. We are continuing to actively test residents and staff.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Engel Haus is currently closed for all visits, including Essential Caregiver visits due to a recent spike in COVID-19 activity this week. All residents and families who have tested positive have already been notified. We are continuing to actively test residents and staff.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
As you have seen in the news the COVID-19 numbers in Minnesota and the United States as a whole are increasing. This viral spread continues due to the lack of immunity demonstrated by those of us who have not had the virus, as well as the desire that we have to return to some form of normalcy in our society.
Our health care communities are also seeing a rise in the number of COVID-19 cases in residents, staff, vendors and visitors. This rise has led to hospitalizations and in rare instances death of our residents. We are doing everything within our power to protect the health and well-being of the residents we serve. Despite this fact, staff, vendors and visitors still contract the virus while off-duty or out of our facility. This is due to the high viral presence in the community and the need for individuals to go out to grocery shop, etc.
We are turning our attention to decreasing the numbers of individuals entering our communities. By decreasing the number of people coming in, we decrease the opportunity for entry of the virus as well. Staff are needed to provide care for residents. This is a number we cannot change. Our initial step will include limiting the number of visits for Essential Caregivers. At this time we are limiting Essential Caregivers who were visiting twice a week to only once a week effective November 13, 2020. If a resident has two Essential Caregivers we are asking that only one Caregiver visit each week.
Our hope is that the reduction in visits will be short-lived and slow the spread of the virus in all of our communities. Ideally this will be the only step we will need to take. Governor Walz announced today further actions to be taken by all Minnesotans to decrease the risk of viral spread in the broader community including limiting social gathering, decreasing numbers of people at receptions and changes to restaurant and bar service.
Both of these steps, put together with the newly announced therapeutic antibody currently available and the Pfizer vaccine anticipated within the next month, will greatly increase our likelihood of opening our buildings to visitors once again.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Indoor Visitation requires that a community has not had a positive case of COVID-19 diagnosed in a resident or staff member in the past 14 days. Testing may be conducted seven days per week, therefore visitation could be restricted suddenly at any time based on federal and state regulations.
For your convenience we have provided the information for each community below. We encourage you to check this site immediately prior to each scheduled visit.
Guardian Angels Care Center: Indoor visitation is currently not permitted. We apologize and encourage you to reschedule your visit for a future date. We look forward to seeing you then.
Guardian Angels By The Lake: Indoor visitation is currently not permitted. We apologize and encourage you to reschedule your visit for a future date. We look forward to seeing you then.
Engel Haus: Indoor visitation is currently not permitted. We apologize and encourage you to reschedule your visit for a future date. We look forward to seeing you then.
Riverview Landing: Indoor visitation is currently not permitted. We apologize and encourage you to reschedule your visit for a future date. We look forward to seeing you then.
Please remember, for the health and safety of our residents and staff, Guardian Angels requires that you have a negative COVID-19 test result prior to visiting indoors or performing Essential Caregiver duties in our community. Your COVID-19 test must be repeated with same frequency the community is testing staff and/or residents.
Current testing schedules is weekly for all GA communities.
Thank you,
Guardian Angels Senior Services
Click on this link to learn more about Covid-19 testing locations in our area: https://www.doineedacovid19test.com/
Details listed under the "Minnesota" tab.
Essential Caregiver Visits
On July 10, 2020 the Minnesota Department of Health provided guidance on Essential Caregiver visits to long-term care facilities (nursing homes and assisted living). Clarifications are still being provided, but what is clear is that Essential Caregiver visits are not the same thing as ‘open to visitors’. An example of an Essential Caregiver visit would be a family member who prior to COVID-19 visiting restrictions had provided weekly baths for their resident, due to COVID-19 they were no longer able to do this. An essential caregiver visit would now allow that family member to come into the building weekly to provide the bath. Consideration will be provided to the resident need and the services that were provided prior to visiting restrictions. Consideration will also be given to changes in resident condition that have occurred during the last quarter. We are reminded by the Department of Health that outdoor visits and window visits are still an option to allow residents to get together with their family and friends. Entrance into one of our communities brings a greater level of risk of exposure to COVID-19 to all of our residents and staff (greater numbers of interaction). We are formulating our response to this guidance carefully and will be announcing this information early next week
Thank you,
Lynn Gerard, RN, BSN
Director of Quality Improvement, Education and Risk Management
LGerard@GA-ER.org
Guardian Angels Senior Services
508 Freeport Ave, Suite A
Elk River, MN 55330
763-635-5490
We are pleased to announce Guardian Angels has been able to actively participate in COVID-19 testing for both residents and staff at the Care Center and each of the assisted livings – Guardian Angels by the Lake, Engel Haus, and Riverview Landing. Testing resources (swabs and laboratory) in Minnesota have been in short supply. Based on the favorable testing results, we are cautiously opening our doors to admissions in our communities.
If you have inquired regarding moving into one of our communities, our marketing staff will be contacting you with further information. The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent governmental regulations/Center for Disease Control and Prevention still requires Guardian Angels to adhere to certain levels of precautions. This information will be provided for your consideration prior to move-in.
We look forward to welcoming you into our communities!
For additional information-please call:
Albertville-Engel Haus-763-498-4594
Elk River-Guardian Angels By The Lake-763-241-7682
Elk River-Guardian Angels Care Center-763-441-1213
Otsego-Riverview Landing-763-746-3400
Dear Family and Friends,
Please click here and listen to the latest update from Lynn Gerard, Director of Quality Improvement, Education and Risk Management.
Thank you.
Dear Friends and Family,
As the Covid-19 pandemic continues, Guardian Angels wanted to provide an update regarding our current status.
Please click here for video
Thank you,
Dan Dixon
President/CEO
Click here to listen to the latest Covid-19 update from Guardian Angels CEO, Dan Dixon.
Click here for Coronavirus update message from Dan Dixon, CEO at Guardian Angels
Do you have questions and want to connect with a staff member @ one of our communities? Please see email address below.
Guardian Angels Care Center: GACC-Family@ga-er.org
Guardian Angels By The Lake: GABTL-Family@ga-er.org
Engel Haus: EH-Family@ga-er.org
Riverview Landing: RVL-Family@ga-er.org
A message for our residents and their representatives:
A new regulatory guidance was issued by the federal government (CMS) last evening. The guidance includes significant recommendations to long-term care facilities (nursing homes and assisted livings) in an effort to decrease the rate of transmission of COVID-19. In addition to the facemasks currently being worn by staff from all departments, residents are now being asked to either wear a cloth facemask or to cover their mouth and nose with a tissue whenever a staff member is present in the room. Cloth masks provide “source control” meaning that droplets expelled by you when breathing, coughing or sneezing are trapped in the mask and not expelled into the air where viruses present may be inhaled by someone in close proximity (within 6 feet).
You will also be asked to wear a mask if you are leaving one of our buildings for medical appointments or for other reasons. While you are out you may be exposed to someone in the community with Covid-19. The cloth mask will not offer you full protection from the virus, only social distancing and good hand washing will offer that. The mask may provide some benefit, but equally important it will help prohibit you from spreading any virus you may have come in contact with once you return to the building.
We have requested and will be distributing cloth masks to all residents who are able to use them. We appreciate your patience and cooperation in this endeavor. The safety of our residents and are staff are of paramount importance to us. The masks can be warm to wear, but are a necessary barrier to prevent further spread of COVID-19 in our facilities, our cities and all states.
For questions please feel free to talk with your Administrator or Director of Nursing/Clinical Coordinator. Questions can also be directed to Lynn Gerard, RN, Director of Quality Improvement, Education and Risk Management at 763-635-5490.
Thank you and stay healthy!
Lynn Gerard
Lynn Gerard, RN, BSN
Director of Quality Improvement, Education and Risk Management
LGerard@GA-ER.org
Guardian Angels Senior ServiceS
508 Freeport Ave, Suite A
Elk River, MN 55330
763-635-5490
Please see information for Elk River locations: Angel Ridge, Evans Park and Guardian Oaks Apartments
Attention GA Care Center Families: Stay Connected to your loved-one!
Guardian Angels Care Center Recreation Department is offering video conference with families and their resident through “Zoom”. Zoom is an online meeting through video. Recreation Staff will use their iPads with the residents and families can use their phones, iPads or computers to see each other.
Families can download the app “Zoom Cloud Meeting”
Email Sue Barthel, Recreation Director to set up a time for a meeting with your resident and Sue will give you the “Personal Meeting ID” number that you will need to enter in order to connect with the Care Center.
Email Sue at: sbarthel@ga-er.org
Additional option......
Families can send a letter and a photo to their loved-one. Recreation staff can print out the letter and deliver it to the resident and Recreation staff can then help the resident reply back to them through email.
Send email to: recreation @ga-er.org
Subject line: residents first & last name
A message for our Assisted Living Communities: Engel Haus, GA By The Lake, & Riverview Landing
To help keep your loved ones safe, the health and safety of our residents and staff are our top priority. As such, visitation to our Assisted Living campus/grounds remains prohibited.
With the warm weather we realize it is difficult not to come and visit with your relative or friend outdoors. Unfortunately virus transmission is possible outdoors as well as indoors.
Please continue to shelter at home as directed by Gov. Walz until the COVID-19 pandemic is controlled.
If you need to drop off an essential item for your relative or friend, we offer a “no contact” option;
Please drop your item in the vestibule and notify our staff via your telephone.
We will pick up the item after you have left and deliver it to your loved one.
Items may be dropped between 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the weekends.
We request these items are limited to essential items only to not overwhelm staff.
We look forward to celebrating the opening the building to visitors as soon as possible.
Thank you for your understanding,
Guardian Angels senior Services
Engel Haus: 763-498-4594
GA by the Lake: 763-241-7682
Riverview Landing: 763-746-3400
Based on an abundance of caution the Minnesota Department of Health and the Center for Disease Control has recommended to nursing homes and assisted livings that all staff members wear face masks throughout their shifts. This recommendation does not In any way indicate that residents or staff members are ill, but is merely an additional precautionary measure taken to protect the safety of our residents and staff. The health and wellbeing of both is of paramount importance to us.”
Thank you,
Lynn Gerard, RN, BSN
Director of Quality Improvement, Education and Risk Management
Letter to Assisted Living Families Regarding Coronavirus
VERY IMPORTANT UPDATES: PLEASE READ FULLY
Dear Guardian Angels Assisted Living Famalies:
As we continue to see a rise in the cases of COVID-19 in our local communities we are continuing to stay in contact with The Minnesota Department of Health and the Center for Disease Control. Guidelines are changing frequently and we are working to take precautions. We are committed to putting all resident’s and staff’s safety as our top priority. In stating this the number one vital instruction we are receiving is to restrict all visitors from coming into the building to reduce potential for introduction of illness or potential virus. Covid-19 transmission is increased by the fact that individuals who have not yet displayed any symptoms are capable of spreading the disease. When you enter our building you essentially may be bringing in with you virus particles from any individual you have been in contact with in the last 14 days. For this reason we are asking that you refrain from visiting entirely. We understand this is incredibly difficult for both families and residents.
The following precautions are now implemented at Engel Haus:
We know all these steps will create a significant impact in our resident’s and families daily routines and we are working on ordering devices to help reduce social isolation by being able to use technology to connect residents with families soon. We will be able to set up appointments to help with communications using ZOOM. Please continue to send cards or gifts and to call your loved one frequently to help reduce isolation and make them feel connected.
Also a reminder to please immediately report to nursing staff if your loved one reports feeling feverish, coughing or cold symptoms. We will continue to encourage residents to use pendants as needed and practice good handwashing for at least 20 seconds. For continued information please check the Minnesota department of Health and Guardian Angels Coronavirus webpage
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation during this uncertain time. We are wishing prayers to all for safety and good health. Please contact us for questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Mindy Smith-Engel Haus Administrator-763-498-4594 (msmith@ga-er.org)
Andrea Erickson-Riverview Landing Administrator: 763-746-3400 (aerickson@ga-er.org)
Rick Huntington-GA By The Lake Administrator-763-241-7682 (ehuntington@ga-er.org)
Letter to GA staff and team members
Please click here for Cornnavirus video update from Dan Dixon, CEO @ Guardian Angels Senior Services
Club GA Wellness Center
Due to the recent announcement from Governor Walz and because of the nature of our wellness facility, Club GA (Elk River and Otsego) will close @ 12pm on March 18, 2020. We will re-visit this decision and provide an update on or before 4/6/20. We apologize for any inconvenience that closing might cause, but we want to make sure to take every precaution to prevent the spread of COVID 19.
Thank you
Guardian Angels Senior Services
Thank you for your patience and support in response to the Covid-19/Coronavirus outbreak. We understand that this is difficult for everyone.
There are 60 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Minnesota.
To maintain the health and well-being of those in our care, here are some new guidelines to follow:
The information below is site specific. Please contact them directly if you have questions.
Angels On Main - Adult Day services are closed until further notice. 763-746-3400
Club GA - Closed until further notice. Elk River - 763-241-4434 Otsego - 763-635-5463
The Gym 365 - Closed until March 31. For updates, check the website (thegym365.com) or call 763-441-4232
Senior Dining Site - Elk River - More information to come.
Guardian Angels Assisted Living Communities
In response to Covid-19 or Coronavirus, visiting restrictions will be in place at Guardian Angels by the Lake, Engel Haus, and Riverview Landing effective Friday, March 13, 2020. Based upon newly issued recommendations by the Minnesota Department of Health we will not be allowing visitors to enter the buildings except when the family member or friend is visiting to provide an essential service, i.e., assist with dressing or bathing. This new guidance was issued to protect the health and safety of our residents and the staff who care for them. Covid-19 is a respiratory virus that can cause severe illness or death in the elderly population. At this point there is no treatment available for those afflicted. Preventative measures are the only available treatment option.
The decision to halt visitation is not taken lightly. Federal guidelines recommend escalating interventions based on proximity of diagnosed individuals in the state. We have NO cases of Covid-19 in our residents or staff, however, in an adjacent county to Sherburne County there is one individual diagnosed with Covid-19 who is in critical condition. All contacts for this individual as well as other diagnosed cases are not all yet identified. Our goal is to prevent visitation by someone who may be unaware of their own exposure who might transmit the virus in the facility.
We do not know how long we will need to restrict visitation. The decision when to allow visitors to enter the building again will be based on the presence of this illness in the community surrounding us. If a resident or staff member at Guardian Angels develops Covid-19, we will communicate this information to you. Guardian Angels would transport any resident suspected of having Covid-19 to an area provider as soon as possible where the resident can be treated in an isolation room equipped with negative air pressure.The resident apartment would be immediately sanitized.
A letter has been mailed to all resident representatives detailing actions and telephone numbers for who to contact if questions. We will also be placing a Q & A question section for questions related to Guardian Angels. Specific disease questions should be referred to your medical provider, the Minnesota Department of Health, or the Center for Disease Control.
How many cases of Covid-19 do we currently have in Minnesota?
As of 3/12/20 the Minnesota Department of Health is reporting 9 cases of Covid-19 in the following counties: Hennepin, Anoka, Ramsey, Carver, Dakota, Olmstead.
What is Guardian Angels doing to ensure the safety of my loved one?
Guardian Angels is closely monitoring any resident with respiratory illness. We are working closely with physicians to evaluate any cases and rule out other causes such as influenza, pneumonia, and the common cold. To date (3/12/20) we have had no cases of unexplained respiratory illness that could be attributed to Covid-19
What measures are we taking to ensure the health of our staff?
All staff who are ill are encouraged to stay home. At the start of each shift we are checking temperatures of all staff reporting to work. We are also limiting staff from working dependent upon recent areas of travel – areas of sustained Covid-19 activity.
Guardian Angels Care Center
In response to Covid-19 or Coronavirus, visiting restrictions will be in place at GACC effective Friday, March 13, 2020. Based upon newly issued federal regulations and recommendations by the Minnesota Department of Health we will not be allowing visitors to enter the building except in emergency situations. This new guidance was issued to protect the health and safety of our residents and the staff who care for them. Covid-19 is a respiratory virus that can cause severe illness or death in the elderly population. At this point there is no treatment available for those afflicted. Preventative measures are the only available treatment option.
The decision to halt visitation is not taken lightly. Federal guidelines recommend escalating interventions based on proximity of diagnosed individuals in the state. We have NO cases of Covid-19 in our residents or staff, however, in an adjacent county to Sherburne County there is one individual diagnosed with Covid-19 who is in critical condition. All contacts for this individual as well as other diagnosed cases are not all yet identified. Our goal is to prevent visitation by someone who may be unaware of their own exposure who might transmit the virus in the facility.
We do not know how long we will need to restrict visitation. The decision when to allow visitors to enter the building again will be based on the presence of this illness in the community surrounding us. If a resident or staff member at GACC develops Covid-19, we will communicate this information to you. Guardian Angels Care Center would transport any resident suspected of having Covid-19 to an area provider as soon as possible where the resident can be treated in an isolation room equipped with negative air pressure. The resident room would be immediately sanitized.
We will be mailing a letter to all resident representatives detailing actions and telephone numbers for who to contact if questions. We will also be placing a Q & A question section for questions related to Guardian Angels. Specific disease questions should be referred to your medical provider, the Minnesota Department of Health, or the Center for Disease Control.
Thank you for your patience in this trying time.
Lynn Gerard, RN, BSN
Director of Quality Improvement, Education and Risk Management
Coronavirus Update
Please see the information below for Guardian Angels Communities.
For additional information: MN Department of Health and Center for Disease Control and Prevention