A Message from our CEO, Lisa Haglund Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the senior living industry has faced countless challenges: uncertainty, constantly changing regulations, and a staffing crisis, just to name a few. Now, we are finding our strength in the legacy of our past: our faith and commitment to caring. In many ways, faith and the mission of Heritage, to promote Hope, Dignity, and Purposeful Living, are playing a key role as we work to reinvent and redefine Heritage. During a time when the entire healthcare industry has had to adapt to the realities of a global pandemic, we are still committed to the same principles our founders embraced in 1886. Last month I mentioned to you that now is the “Time to Invest” at Heritage. We’ve started… and we are far from stopping! For our residents, for our employees, and for all we serve, we are striving to offer an environment of peace, joy, friendship, comfort, and security in everything that we do. We’re focused on more actively embracing our roots to build a positive and supportive environment for our employees. Our faith in God’s plan for Heritage is strong and is central to how we now operate at every level.   We remain focused on our dedication to being exceptional senior care providers — known for our foundation rooted in faith and compassion. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your continued support of Heritage and the seniors we serve.

Around The Green

Smiling faces are everywhere this month at The Green!

Chaplain's Corner Larry Petry, Senior Chaplain In the gospels, Jesus has a gracious way of preparing his followers for the difficult things they will encounter. He often drops hints, tells stories or shares an illustration. Jesus even does this in preparing them for the roller-coaster experience of his tragic death on the cross and his triumphant resurrection from the dead! Part of the Easter story is remembering how the followers of Jesus started to wrap their minds around all these things once they began to encounter the resurrected Jesus.  We find that in our time, we experience so many things that we are trying to wrap our minds around, also. Jesus’ gracious statement predicting his own death has many layers of insight. Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds (John 12:24). While common, the illustration of a seed is really interesting- we take something small, we bury it away from sight, and in unseen ways and unseen fashion, it grows into MORE.  Perhaps we are growing in unseen ways. Perhaps the small seeds of faith, of hope, of trust or wisdom are being planted by God in the ordinary circumstances we encounter, and then, tucked away unseen, they grow. Amazingly, the gracious process of growth is happening unseen- even in our difficulties, our stresses and our stretching points.  Even in the frustrating circumstances of life, I invite you to consider, “What quality is God growing in me here? How can I help make it grow?” I’m convinced that in our unique period of history, God is producing something within us. Let’s not be discouraged. Let’s yield ourselves to this process and be willing to grow. Let’s take hope, knowing that our Savior works best as new life is tucked away, working powerfully behind the scenes to emerge at the right time and bear much fruit. May this be true in us as well.

Skilled Nursing Resident and Family COVID-19 Information Update Jessica Thomas, Infection Preventionist It is always important to for Heritage Ministries to put the safety of resident and staff first and foremost. With that being said, we at Heritage want to make sure that families and residents have up to date information, to assist them with making important decisions regarding the health of their loved ones. As of 5/24/22 the CDC, FDA, and NYS Department of Health (DOH) have updated their definition of “up-to-date” with COVID-19 vaccines. The guidance now recommends a second booster shot for immunocompromised staff and residents and for anyone age 50 and up. Data continues to show that being fully vaccinated and up to date with all vaccine guidance including the second booster is essential for protecting highly vulnerable residents and staff. It really increases your level of protection against severe disease, hospitalization and death with the new variants. We all have seen the deadly consequences of COVID-19 not only in the communities but also how it has affected the nursing home residents and their families. Heritage will continue to follow up to date guidelines related to infection control practices to keep all residents and staff safe, this includes the CDC, DOH, and CMS guidance. Currently, because of the risk of unrecognized COVID-19 infections among residents, any resident that is not up to date with all recommended COVID-19 vaccines and are considered new admissions, readmission, (left the facility for >24 hours), or exposed to another resident or staff that is covid-19 positive will be placed in designated area (admission, unknown zone) to be monitor closely for 10 days to prevent possible spread of virus. New admissions or readmissions that are NOT up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations need to quarantine for 10 full days and complete the testing listed above. Health care providers and families visiting will be required to wear full PPE. If, after the 10 day period the residents have experienced no signs or symptoms of COVID-19, they may be removed from TBP and/or transferred out of the designated area can happen after day 10. The resident not up to date with all COVID-19 vaccine recommendations must complete transmission-based precautions (isolation) requirements for a minimum 10 full days. Day of first symptom or test positive test date is day 0. Residents up to date with all COVID-19 vaccine recommendation will not be placed in isolation unless they test positive for COVID-19, but may be subjected to testing. Testing is not recommended for people who have had SARS-CoV-2 infection is the last 90 days, if they remain asymptomatic, including if they have had close contact or a higher-risk exposure. If the resident develops symptoms, at any time after admission, the need for TBP begins again with the date the symptoms started (now considered day 0) and TBP should extend to day 10 using this symptom onset date. OUTBREAK TESTING – An outbreak is defined by a new COVID-19 infection in any healthcare personnel or resident residing in the nursing home, excluding new admissions admitted with COVID 19. A new COVID-19 infection triggers an outbreak investigation. Rapid identification and isolation of new cases is critical in stopping further transmission. Residents with signs or symptoms of COVID-19, whether fully vaccinated or not, must be tested immediately. While test results are pending residents will be placed on transmission based precautions. Once test results are obtained, the facility will take the appropriate action based on the results. A RT-PCR should be completed at the time of a negative rapid test of symptomatic residents and sent to local lab for testing. Contact tracing- all residents with connections to the COVID 19 positive employee or resident will be identified. The exposure period starts 2 days prior to the test date or onset of illness through the employees last day of work or when the resident was placed in quarantine. REFUSAL OF TESTING – Residents may decline testing. Education on the importance of testing will be done. Any resident who has signs or symptoms of COVID-19 and refuses testing will be placed on transmission based precautions until criteria for discontinuing is met. During outbreak testing, an asymptomatic resident that is up to date with vaccines refuses testing will have increase monitoring/screening for 14 days, must maintain social distancing from other residents, wear a mask ( if tolerated), and practice effective hand hygiene until the procedures for outbreak testing is completed. Thank you, for your continued assistance with keeping all of our residents and staff safe.

Join us for the 2022 #HeritageStrong Golf Classic as we enjoy golfing and bidding our way toward this year’s goal to raise more than $100,000 to support our mission of promoting Hope, Dignity, and Purposeful Living through Christ-centered ministries. Your support will enrich the lives of our residents by innovative programming; provide lifestyle amenities through our Good Samaritan fund; and, ensure peace-of-mind in any circumstance through our benevolence program. For more information, and to register, click HERE!

The Heritage Ministries public policy team advocates on behalf of our residents, their families, and our staff, to enact policies that will address the needs, quality care, and safety that ensures all our communities are beacons of Hope, Dignity, and Purposeful Living. Even as our compassionate and trained staff are dedicated to helping our residents thrive, too many older adults and their families face difficulties finding services or support that exactly match their needs. Our federal lawmakers need to hear from us with a plea for them to take action immediately to expand access to care and services for all seniors. Add your voice to ours! Learn more about how you can continue to advocate for Heritage and our residents by clicking HERE.

On June 9, 2022 you have a chance to make a difference through #GiveBigCHQ, by supporting Heritage with your gift! Heritage Ministries has provided care and support to our loved ones for more than 130 years. Serving over 1,500 seniors yearly and offering many levels or care, we count on you to partner with us in sustaining our mission to promote Hope, Dignity, and Purposeful Living in our communities. Together we can Give BIG! Click HERE for more infomation on GiveBigCHQ.

Send a FREE Heritage eCard to brighten up your loved one’s day or encourage a staff member! We have a variety of cards to fit the occasion, with your own customized message inside! Click on the photo above to get started or visit www.heritage1886.org/ecards,and we’ll print and deliver your card for free!

Heritage Ministries | www.heritage1886.org