Phoebe Ministries Coronavirus Preparedness Plan
Published on March 12, 2020
UPDATED ON 12.28.22 at 2:00 P.M.
Quick Links
Visitation Information
COVID-19 Precautions at Phoebe Ministries
Campus Letter Updates
Vaccination Information for Residents and Staff
Visitor Policy & Details
Compassionate Care Visits
Connecting Hearts Zoom Visits
Independent Living Communities
For More Information
COVID-19 Precautions at Phoebe Ministries Communities
The following precautions apply to all Phoebe Ministries’ Independent Living, Personal Care, and Health Care Center communities.
The well-being and comfort of our residents and staff is Phoebe’s top priority. We maintain strict policies and procedures to help prevent the spread of illness throughout our communities. Our employees are trained in best practices to help prevent the spread of communicable illnesses, including COVID-19. We are following infection control policies and are taking proactive precautions to mitigate exposure among our communities.
Phoebe’s COVID-19 Update phone line is 610-794-6049
Campus Letter Updates
Weekly Update for Phoebe Allentown as of 3.20.23
Weekly Update for Phoebe Berks as of 2.24.23
Weekly Update for Phoebe Richland as of 3.23.23
Weekly Update for Phoebe Wyncote as of 2.24.23
The Campus update letters are posted at least weekly, and more often if cases are reported.
Visitor Policy and Details
Phoebe Ministries recognizes that visitation is an important part of our residents’ life. COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) is a virus that can cause severe illness and death to our elderly population. We encourage you to help keep everyone happy and healthy.
Health Care Infection Control Principles are strictly enforced by government and state regulations. The facility has the right to deny visitation to anyone who is not adhering to the Core Infection Prevention Principles.
Visitation status, hours, and duration of visits vary per neighborhood, so please visit Visitation Information you would like to visit to check the status.
For the safety of our residents and staff members, we ask that you DO NOT visit if:
- You tested positive for COVID-19. Do not return for visitation until 10 days have passed since your positive test and/or your symptoms started. You should be fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medicine.
- You have been in close contact with or exposed to someone who is positive for COVID-19.
- You have symptoms or have been advised to self-quarantine.
- You are experiencing any of the following symptoms of COVID-19:
- Fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, muscle aches, headache, sore throat, cold symptoms (congestion, runny nose), nausea, diarrhea, and new loss of taste and smell.
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, do not visit. Seek medical attention.
Phoebe does not require that visitors be tested or vaccinated to visit with loved ones. We encourage visitors to become vaccinated when they have the opportunity.
All Visitors must adhere to Core Infection Prevention Principles:
- Wear a mask in accordance with CDC Healthcare guidance.
- Your mask must be worn in all common areas of the building.
- You may choose not to wear a mask when alone in your loved one’s room.
- The number of cases in the community dictates which type of mask will be required to be worn while visiting.
- If you do not have the appropriate mask, the facility will provide one for you.
- Cloth masks are not allowed while visiting.
- Full Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is required in Red Zones or when directed. The facility will provide the protective equipment.
- Hand Hygiene – wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer.
Compassionate Care Visits
If an area of a building is closed to visitation due to COVID cases, we continue to allow Compassionate Care Visits. Residents who qualify for compassionate care visits may include:
- A resident in an end-of-life situation
- A resident who was living with their family before recently being admitted to our community and is struggling with the change in environment or lack of physical family support
- A resident who is grieving after a friend or family member recently passed away
- A resident who needs cueing and encouragement with eating or drinking, previously provided by family and/or caregiver(s), is experiencing weight loss, or dehydration
- A resident who used to talk and interact with others is experiencing emotional distress, seldom speaking, or crying more frequently (when the resident had rarely cried in the past).
Through a person-centered approach, we will work with residents and their families/caregivers to identify the need for compassionate care visits. Please speak with the administrator or nurse manager at your loved one’s community if you need to schedule a compassionate care visit.
Connecting Hearts Virtual Visits using Zoom
We encourage families to utilize Connecting Hearts Virtual Visits using Zoom at a time when they are unable to visit their loved one in person.
Independent Living Communities
Residents who live at Phoebe independently have been provided with facts related to COVID-19, along with preventive resources and information on protecting themselves and others from respiratory illness. We have communicated visitation guidelines to these residents.
If you would like to visit an independent living community, please reach out to the community manager or Executive Director for that campus to see what guidelines for visitation are in place.
Vaccination Information for Residents and Staff
Initially, we worked with both CVS and Rite Aid to administer the COVID vaccine to our Health Care Center, Personal Care, and Independent Living residents and frontline staff. These vaccine clinics were completed on March 8, 2021.
Our own Phoebe Pharmacy now obtains and administers the vaccine and boosters. This allows us to vaccinate new admissions and new hires.
For more information about the benefits of receiving this vaccine, please follow this link to the CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/vaccine-benefits.html
Please view this helpful information from the CDC:
Long-Term Care Residents and Loved Ones: Answering Common Questions About COVID-19 Vaccines
Phoebe Ministries COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement for Staff
Phoebe Ministries announced on August 16, 2021, that it will require employees across the organization to receive COVID-19 vaccination by October 15, 2021, as a condition of employment. With communities in Berks, Bucks, Lancaster, Lehigh, Montgomery, Northampton, and Union counties, this requirement applies to all of Phoebe Ministries’ employees. The policy will recognize authorized medical and religious exemptions. Please see the following links for additional information:
News Release: Phoebe Ministries COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement for Staff
Letter for Residents and Families Regarding COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement for Staff
Sept. 17, 2020- Click here for a message from Phoebe’s President & CEO on COVID-19
April 20, 2020– Click here for a message from Phoebe’s President & CEO on COVID-19.
For More Information:
If you have any questions or concerns, please call our COVID-19 contact line at 610-794-6049.
