6-10-2020 Moving from Stay at Home to Stay Safe

June 10, 2020

Starting in June our state has moved from the Stay at Home Order to Stay Safe Order.  You can access information on the MDH website: https://mn.gov/covid19/for-minnesotans/stay-safe-mn/stay-safe-plan.jsp

As we work to move toward normalcy, we need to complete several phases, as a reminder there are different programs that indicate level of "phases" just to be mindful of different initiatives.  This is the Opening of America CDC phases: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/php/CDC-Activities-Initiatives-for-COVID-19-Response.pdf

In May, Governor Walz had directed that all individuals who reside and work in nursing homes and assisted living settings be offered testing for COVID-19.  Our facility is signed up to engage this opportunity for the National Guard to come and help us with that process. We think that this might happen mid to late summer.  Notifications will go out to family members. Here is a letter from the Office of Ombudsman for Long-Term Care regarding testing, resident rights, and best practices:  https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/hcp/ltctestombud.pdf 

Testing will provide a baseline on our status and there will be follow-up testing to help us move toward the our new normal.   Testing will also show if we are meeting community requirements as we work toward opening back up.  We still need to be mindful of our interactions with others, where we are not certain of where or who they have been in contact with.  Wear the recommended masks, wash your hands often, clean surfaces often, and do not touch your face.  

Currently we do not have any positive COVID cases in our facility, and our one employee positive case has resolved with no impact to our care center, nor the assisted living facilities.  We continue to follow MDH & CDC guidance with wearing masks, protective eye wear, checking staff daily for temp/symptoms prior to entry, and following infection control processes. 

Our facilities are still restricted from all visitors that are non-essential.  That includes visits with families, we do ensure that we do our best at providing end of life support with schedule visits per CDC/MDH guidance working with the recommendations from our hospice staff.  Virtual visits can be scheduled with our activities department, and we will allow a window visit (all parties must wear masks and resident must be 6ft from the window) call to talk with Tammie 218-687-2368 ext. 213.

Today, one area that was lifted by MDH was having the ability to have beauticians back at our facility with strict guidelines, and we are developing that plan. With that being said, there is a high demand everywhere, we are LOOKING FOR LICENSED BEAUTICIANS who would like to book time here at our facility for our residents.  We would like to offer more days and options going forward.  Please call Lisa Frey, the Administrator, at 218-687-2365 if you would be interested in working with our family here at PMCC.

We appreciate that these are trying times for our families, please feel free to call with questions or concerns and we will work through this together.  Stay safe, follow the precautions indicated in the stay safe plan, and we will get through this.  Have a blessed day!