Dear Families and Friends of Samaritan Bethany,

The Minnesota Department of Health released guidance to long term care settings to establish an Essential Caregiver program. The short version of what it is – a family member or friend who had previously assisted the resident with cares or emotional support would be able to visit with certain restrictions. The guidance requires us to develop policies and procedures, assessment of essential caregiver and acknowledgement forms. Plus we will need to decide how many we can have at one time here, days and times that we can do this, screening requirements and so forth. Not a quick and easy task!

We want you to know we are working on the process but will be delaying the implementation at this time. It may look a little different at the nursing home than at assisted living – nothing is a one size fits all anymore! We know many of you are anxiously awaiting our implementation. We just need to remind everyone that this is not an open the door to visitors, this will require us to assess the caregiver as an essential part of the residents care.

We continue to encourage you to keep scheduling window visits, outdoor visits and video calls.

• Arbor Terrace contact Shane Hoffman at shoffman@samaritanbethany.com or 507-288-4883 ext. 4105
• Home on 8^th contact Allison DeRaad at aderaad@samaritanbethany.com or 507-289-4031, ext 4371

Please know that it is our honor and privilege to provide quality, loving care to your family member.

Be safe and healthy –

Sue Knutson
Mission Leader/CEO