family

RESOURCEs

We update this resource page as needed.  If you are not seeing current information, please REFRESH YOUR PAGE or CLEAR YOUR CACHE.

MIRAVIDA ANNOUNCEMENTS

  • COVID UPDATE | January 17, 2023

    On January 17, we learned a resident at Bethel Home tested positive for COVID, impacting the 2-West wing of the building. At this time, residents and staff are being tested. Residents that are up to date with their vaccine should not see any change in their routine. Residents not up-to-date with recommended vaccines are in quarantine protocol. We will continue to take all necessary measures during the quarantine period to ensure the safety of our residents and team.

  • VISITATION UPDATE | October 2022

    The most significant changes to our visitation protocol are the following; taking your temperature and completing the trace log are no longer required when entering our health care buildings, Winnebago County is experiencing a high transmission rate and masks continue to be required, masks are also required when we are experiencing an outbreak, instructions updating masking requirements will be posted at the entry points to our buildings, eye protection is no longer required, and visitors are permitted to attend resident activities with their loved ones once again. Physical distancing continues to be recommended and is highly encouraged.

  • OUR MOST RECENT LETTER | read on

    Staying in touch on a regular basis with our Miravida community is a priority (click on the headline to link to letter). Please enjoy our most recent message and feel free to browse our past messages throughout this journey.​

OUR TEAM IS AVAILABLE TO TALK

Our team is available to speak with you and offer support.

OUR MOST RECENT COMMUNICATION

October 4, 2022

Residents, loved ones, and team,

Along with the seasonal changes – leaves are beginning to turn various shades of yellow, orange, and red – the days are shorter – and the mornings and evenings are cooler, there are some changes to infection control guidance.

• Taking your temperature and completing the trace log are no longer required when entering our health care buildings.
• Winnebago County is experiencing a high transmission rate and masks continue to be required. Masks are also required when we are experiencing an outbreak. Instructions updating masking requirements will be posted at the entry points to our buildings.
• Eye protection is no longer required.
• Visitors are permitted to attend resident activities with their loved ones once again. Physical distancing continues to be recommended and is highly encouraged.

Testing will be central to our infection control strategy. We may use rapid tests but whenever possible, the test will be followed by a PCR test which is more effective in identifying the presence of COVID.

• Quarantine will no longer be automatically required upon admission or readmission. A series of three tests will be required beginning upon admission or readmission on day one followed by tests on days three and five.
• A series of three tests is recommended following COVID exposure regardless of an individual’s vaccination status. Tests should be administered on days one, three, and five post-exposure.
• Testing will be conducted during an outbreak.

We are counting on you to be mindful of any exposure to COVID, flu, or other respiratory symptoms and not contribute to the spread of COVID or other respiratory illnesses. Please get recommended boosters and flu vaccinations. As a reminder to our team, flu vaccines must be complete by November 1.

Please know we are very appreciative of your cooperation with the ever-changing guidance on infection control and your compliance even when inconvenienced.

Now back to the fall season, let’s be sure to enjoy the pumpkins, changing leaves, and the time of harvest.

O God of Creation, you have blessed us with the changing of the seasons. As we welcome the autumn months, may the earlier setting of the sun remind us to take time to rest. May the brilliant colors of the leaves remind us of the wonder of your creation. May the harvest from the fields remind us of the abundance we have been given and bounty we are to share with others. We praise you for your goodness forever and ever. Amen.

Warmly,

Theresa M. Bertram
Chief Executive Officer

January 17, 2022

Dear residents, loved ones, and team,

Happy New Year and Welcome to 2022!

The Omicron strain of COVID is highly contagious and seems to be everywhere. As we receive test results for our residents and team, we are learning it is here too. Across campus, 4 residents and 20 staff have tested positive for COVID since the first of the year. Fortunately, nearly all Bethel, Eden, Gabriel’s Villa and Elijah’s Place residents are vaccinated. We continue to offer vaccination and booster clinics for residents living independently at Carmel and the Simeannas, however, we are unclear about their individual vaccination and booster status. All Miravida staff are vaccinated and have received their boosters when required.

Vaccinations continue to be our best defense against COVID. Getting vaccinated and staying up to date with booster shots greatly reduce the chance of severe illness, hospitalization, and death. We know this to be the case at Miravida. Our residents with COVID are being cared for individually as they isolate in their room during their infectious period. To date, all have been asymptomatic or experiencing mild symptoms, and with one exception, have not required hospitalization.

Recently, there have been a number of questions about the status and requirements of visits. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has approved continuing visits even when in an outbreak status. After the isolation of the past, know that we fully support and encourage your visits – they matter to your loved ones and you.

To be safe, everyone’s vigilance is required. We ask you not to visit if you have possibly been exposed to someone with the virus or recently attended an event with lots of people. Before making plans to visit, carefully weigh your risk for becoming infected with COVID and proceed accordingly. To help ensure everyone’s safety, please answer all questions on the trace log, wear a medical mask (available at front doors), stay at least 6 feet away from others, go directly to the resident’s room, and wash your hands frequently.

In addition to in-person visits, there are several ways to stay connected with your loved ones. We continue to offer video visits and distribute messages and photos. Visit our website at www.miravidaliving.com to take advantage of these options.

The final note is to our team. Even though the media coverage has subsided and we hear the word “hero” used less often, we know you are heroes investing your best efforts to make sure Miravida is a great place to live fully. Every day, you bring your heart to care and hands to serve our residents. You make a difference and we are grateful beyond measure.

Heavenly Father, we draw our strength from you. Please be close to us in this time of uncertainty and comfort, sustain, and guide us. We lift up our thanks for you and our experience of your abiding grace. Amen

Sending you a warm embrace,

Theresa M. Bertram
Chief Executive Officer

December 7, 2021

Dear residents, loved ones, and team,

The white lights are twinkling across campus, the anticipation of Christmas is in the air, and there is exciting news about visits. Just in time for the holidays, people of all ages are welcome to visit, and visits are no longer limited to two guests.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid recently provided guidance on offering visits to an unlimited number of family members and friends even when our facilities are in an outbreak status. The following actions are required:

  • Visitors who have tested positive for COVID, have symptoms of COVID, or currently meet the criteria for quarantine, should not enter the facility.
  • All visitors including children must be entered into the trace log.
  • Visitors two-years-old and older must wear a well-fitted mask.
  • Visitors are asked to maintain social distancing of six feet.
  • If possible, when a large group of visitors is coming, please let us know and we will try to find a space to safely accommodate everyone. While we will work with you on having a large group of visitors, the public health department does not recommend large groups due to the high level of COVID transmission in Winnebago County and surrounding areas.

 

On Thursday, December 23, we are hosting appetizers and cocktails at Bethel Home, Eden Meadows, Gabriel’s Villa, and Elijah’s Place. Residents may invite two guests to join them for this holiday celebration. More information on the event and how to handle reservations will be provided later.

Over the holidays, some residents go to visit their family and friends in the community. Please be vigilant with transmission precautions including wearing a mask, regular handwashing using soap and water for at least 20 seconds or a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol, social distancing, cover coughs and sneezes, etc. Be sure to let us know when you are taking a resident out and if you have any concerns about possible exposure to COVID.

We hope you share our goals -let’s visit, let’s be safe, let’s enjoy one another’s company, and let’s celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Warmly,

Theresa M. Bertram
Chief Executive Officer

Complete CMS visitation guidance found at https://www.cms.gov/files/document/qso-20-39-nh-revised.pdf

November 24, 2021

Dear residents, loved ones, and team,

This week, we set aside a day to be thankful. For many, our day will be filled with families and friends, an abundance of food, and storytelling – for some, maybe, play. While the traditions of Thanksgiving vary from family to family, neighbor to neighbor, and region to region, they all center on an awareness of the goodness in life and an expression of gratitude.

Gratitude tunes us into the abundance around us …

Because the threat of the pandemic remains high, the availability of boosters for adults and vaccinations for children has accelerated. We are thankful for the increased awareness of ways to lessen COVID’s impact, the vaccines, boosters, and the researchers and clinicians who continue to work on reducing possibly, eradicating the virus.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has ended visiting restrictions when there is an outbreak. We are thankful for the opportunities to be together.

Residents are out and about enjoying time with one another, dining rooms are open, and Pokeno and bingo are back. We are thankful for the renewal of our relationships and the chances to refresh our spirits.

Worship is offered in the Chapel of Faith & Life at Bethel Home (access/screening through the main entrance), our beloved pets are back, performers are providing live entertainment for residents, and the salons are open for haircuts and pampering. We are thankful for the return of many cherished aspects of campus life.

Our team has met every challenge with a blend of grace and determination. They have worked countless extra shifts, blurred the lines of the job responsibilities to do whatever needs to be done, and made certain our residents receive excellent care. We are thankful for their abiding love for our residents and support for one another.

Heavenly Father, we humbly thank you for all you have given us. We are grateful for every good and perfect gift that comes from you. May we have hearts full of thanksgiving every day of our lives. We pray in your name. Amen.

Wishing you a happy Thanksgiving this week and every day …

Theresa M. Bertram
Chief Executive Officer

An archive of our past Coronavirus related messages and communications shared with our Miravida Living community are below on the calendar. Select a date to view the delivered communication message.

MIRAVIDA COMMUNICATIONS

RESOURCES

Below are a few of the resources we are monitoring as we gather information and prepare. Please consider using these as trustworthy resources and join us in learning more.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

COVID-19 VACCINE QUESTIONS

The COVID 19 vaccine is not a live virus, meaning it cannot give you COVID 19. The goal is to teach our immune systems how to recognize and fight the virus that causes COVID-19. Sometimes this process can cause symptoms, such as fever. These symptoms are normal and are a sign that the body is building immunity.

The COVID 19 vaccine is a mRNA vaccine (Messenger RNA vaccine). It does not affect or interact with our DNA in any way. It never enters the nucleus of the cell, which is where our DNA (genetic material) is kept. The cell breaks down and gets rid of the mRNA soon after it is finished using the information to fight the virus.

Sometimes this process can cause symptoms, such as fever. These symptoms are normal and are a sign that the body is building immunity.

Miravida Living staff and residents will be getting the Moderna vaccine.

Yes. The effectiveness of the vaccine is 95%. To maintain safety of the entire Miravida Living community, testing will continue.

Click HERE to access an informational document that provides more details about the vaccine. This document was provided to us by Walgreens (our vaccination partner) and developed by Moderna.

  • https://www.modernatx.com/covid19vaccine-eua/recipients/
  • https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/vaccine-benefits/facts.html
  • https://www.leadingage.org/regulation/vaccines-interview-dr-joshua-sharfstein
  • https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines/mrna.html
  • https://www.fda.gov/media/144638/download