Dear friends and families,
We thank you for your continued support throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Our goal is to provide high-quality care for your loved ones.
Testing News:
We are continuing to test our staff twice weekly as the positivity rate in Lackawanna County remains at red status.
We had one staff positive test result from staff testing on Monday January 25, 2021. Due to potential exposure, our 4th floor nursing unit has changed to yellow status and all residents were tested on Thursday, January 28. Our staff group tested for the second time this week on Thursday. Results will be expected to be returned over the weekend.
Our Facility’s Resident Impact (Since March 30, 2020, through January 21, 2021)
0 – Residents currently in our building with a confirmed active case of COVID 19
56 – CONFIRMED: Residents with laboratory positive COVID-19
0 – SUSPECTED: Residents with new suspected COVID-19
48 – Confirmed Staff Total: with a positive COVID -19
- Please note that test results are reported on our daily call in line at 570-207-6711.
Family members and all others impacted by the virus will be contacted directly and provided with results and updates. Due to the community positivity rate being at red status and the need to have 14 full days without positives from staff or residents in our building, we will remain closed to in person visits with the exception of compassionate and end of life visits.
COVID-19 Vaccine Campaign at the Jewish Home of Eastern Pa
Next Friday, February 5, will be our third clinic day for the COVID 19 vaccine. Residents and staff from our 1st clinic are scheduled to receive the second vaccine dose at the time. 78% of our total resident (93%) and staff (69%) group have already completed the first vaccine dose We have two more clinic dates scheduled up to March 5, 2021. We continue to provide education and answer questions to provide evidence based information on the benefits of the vaccine as a means to control the spread of the COVID 19.
Life Enrichment News:
Sherri Collins, our Life Enrichment Director asked that we share the opportunity for you to send in a special Valentine card for your family member for a craft they will be working on with our residents.
Please address the card to the resident, but be sure that on the envelope it also says ATTN: SHERRI COLLINS or LIFE ENRICHMENT DEPT. Cards can be dropped off at the building in a box at the rear lobby entrance or mailed to the facility to arrive no later than February 3. The Life Enrichment staff encourages you to pass this information on to your family and friends who do not receive this e-mail or letter. Please join in to help us brighten our residents’ day on the valentine holiday of love!
Parkinson’s music therapy returning!
An initiative of the Jewish Home, is to aid those suffering the effects of Parkinson’s disease. As part of its Parkinson’s program, the Jewish Home utilizes music therapy as a modality to control symptoms of the disease. Music therapy has been shown to help with voice and speech as well as increasing muscle strength for better breathing and swallowing among other life quality and health benefits. .
We had to place this program on hold until developments in guidance was reached to safely return this type of modality to our Life Enrichment programing during the pandemic. While this program is targeted for individual and small group programming for residents with a Parkinson’s diagnosis, it is beneficial to all residents who are on the unit. We welcomed our part time music therapist, Sean Boland back this week for programs a few evenings a week and on occasional weekends. The feedback was that it was very well received on our second floor on Thursday evening.
Thank you for entrusting us to care for your loved ones. If you have any questions, we are always available for you.
Sincerely,
Mary Rose Applegate, MBA, RD, NHA
Administrator
