May 21, 2020

Team,

In the past couple of days, there has been an air of excitement as businesses reopen and various restrictions are lifted. As this weekend approaches, many of us are looking forward to Memorial Day and the beginning of summer activities.

What does this mean for us? As health care workers and we are all essentially health care workers, we have a duty to stay the course.

We must continue infection control practices as follows:
•Wash your hands frequently
•Avoid close contact with others
•Keep in mind infected persons without symptoms may spread the virus
•Stay at least 6 feet from other people
•Do not gather in groups, stay out of crowded places and avoid mass gatherings
•Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover/mask when around other people
•Cover your coughs and sneezes
•Disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily including tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, sinks

Trusting you will continue to follow these requirements, we are lifting the travel restriction outside your normal routine. With this change, there is tremendous risk. It is important to remember every person you come into contact with broadens your circle and increases the chance of exposure for everyone in that circle.

We are currently face-to-face with the COVID virus and there are new cases confirmed everyday in Winnebago, Fond du Lac and Outagamie counties. Please be careful – for your sake and the sake of your loved ones, our residents and team.

Thank you for the many sacrifices you have made over the past couple of months. I am proud of you, your efforts and want you to know you are doing an extraordinary job.

Together, we are Miravida STRONG

Theresa M. Bertram
Chief Executive Officer

Universal testing will continue per the recommendations of the State of Wisconsin Department of Health Services and Winnebago County Health Department. Please watch your building for signage with test times and locations.​

Effective March 27, 2020 – Based on guidance from the Health Department and the Leadership Team, it has been decided that employees are no longer permitted to have multiple places of employment. This is to ensure the safety of our team and residents. Should you have questions about this, please contact your supervisor or Human Resources.

Mask wearing can create communication challenges with elders and people with dementia. When embraced intentionally, the following ABC mnemonic can help:

• Attend mindfully: Focus your attention before a visit. Align nonverbal signaling with your spoken message. “If we don’t practice the habit of underlining everything we say with gestures and pantomime, the message we convey might be harder to interpret.”
• Behave calmly: Approach elders from the front and respect personal space, but drop down to meet them at eye level. Refrain from sudden movements to avoid creating distress. “Project a positive, calm attitude and avoid body language that shows frustration, anger, or impatience, while trying not to interrupt them and give them your full attention.”
• Communicate clearly: Avoid noise and overwhelming stimulus and make sure the senior is wearing glasses or hearing aids, if needed. Slowly communicate one point at a time. Use short, simple sentences and underline your words with gestures. Keep your voice even, tone gentle, and speech slow. Speak louder, if needed, because lip-reading cues are absent with a mask.

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DO NOT ENTER a Miravida building unless you work in that building. Crossing buildings for ANY reason is not allowed!​

As we continue to navigate the diagnosis at Eden Meadows, it is imperative that we (the Miravida Team), collectively provide a consistent and factual message to our residents, families and the larger community. To ensure we maintain the integrity which Miravida Living was built on, we are asking you to help STOP THE RUMORS about this diagnosis and refer all inquiries to our website or Theresa Bertram. ​

In the past few weeks, there has been an abundance of sacrifice on the part of this team. You continue to show up and offer your best self to the residents and your fellow team members. You are inspiring and what you do matters… to Miravida, to the community and in this world. Thank you, it is an honor to witness such bravery and commitment.​