Donate to Immanuel Foundation
Schedule a Tour: (406) 752-9625
Logo
Schedule a Tour: (406) 752-9625
Header navigation

News & Events

February 23, 2021 / News / Immanuel Living

Immanuel Living’
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

We have instituted an Immanuel Lutheran COVID-19 Task Force consisting of key staff members to discuss protocols daily. Click here to visit our Foundation website and donate to our COVID-19 Response Fund. 
Immanuel Living
COVID-19 Dashboard

(Dashboard will be updated weekly)

December 30, 2020

We unfortunately can confirm that a second resident of Immanuel Living (IL) has passed away due to complications from COVID-19. The resident, a 69-year-old female tested positive on December 24, 2020, and passed away at Kalispell Regional Medical Center on December 28th, 2020.

Our thoughts and prayers are with her family during this tragic time. This is a reminder to all of us at Immanuel Living – our staff and our residents – of the very serious nature of this virus, and need for all of us to remain vigilant to protect those who are most at risk.

November 19, 2020

Holiday Recommendations in the midst of COVID-19

Department of Health & Human Services
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
7500 Security Boulevard, Mail Stop C2-21-16
Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850
Center for Clinical Standards and Quality/Quality Safety & Oversight Group
Centers For Medicare & Medicaid Services

ALERT

To Nursing Homes, Residents, and Resident Family Member(s)/Representative(s),

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) public health emergency (PHE) has been one of our nation’s greatest challenges and has especially taken a toll on the nation’s nursing home residents. CMS is committed to protecting the health and safety of nursing home residents at all times and especially during the challenges presented by the spread of COVID-19. We understand the emotional impact that separation from loved ones has caused. In September, CMS provided revised guidance for how residents can safely receive visitors in the nursing home. With the holiday season fast approaching, we understand that residents and their families will want to spend more time together. During the holidays, facilities, residents, and visitors should continue to follow the guidelines for visitation and adhere to the core principles of infection prevention, such as remaining six feet or more apart, wearing a face covering, and limiting the number of visitors in the nursing home at any one time. We also recommend that facilities find innovative ways of celebrating the holidays without having parties or gatherings that could increase the risk of COVID-19 transmission (e.g., virtual parties or visits, provide seasonal music, movies, decorations, etc.).

We also know that some residents may want to leave the nursing home temporarily to visit family and friends for the holidays or other outings. While CMS supports family engagement and a resident’s right to leave the nursing home, everyone needs to work together to take extra precautions to help reduce the spread of COVID- 19, which can pose an elevated danger to the health of nursing home residents. Therefore, CMS recommends against residents leaving the nursing home during this PHE. With the potential for a safe and effective vaccine on the immediate horizon, extra precautions now are essential to protect nursing home residents until a vaccine becomes available. Leaving the nursing home could increase a resident’s risk for exposure to COVID-19. The risk may be further increased by factors such as a resident’s health status, the spread of COVID-19 in the community (e.g., cases or positivity rate), or attendance at large gatherings. We encourage residents to discuss these and other risks with their families and nursing home staff. Nursing homes should educate residents and families of the risks of leaving the facility, the steps they should take to reduce the risk of contracting COVID- 19, and encourage residents to stay connected with loved ones through alternative means of communication, such as phone and video communication. For examples of ways to connect with residents, refer to memorandum QSO-20-28-NH. Should a resident ultimately choose to leave the nursing home, CMS is providing the following recommendations:

  • Limit close contact (maintain physical distancing of six feet or more), keep gatherings as small as possible, and use technology to engage with others remotely;
  • Wear facemasks or cloth face covering at all times (including in cars, homes, restaurants, );
  • Limit contact with commonly touched surfaces or shared items;
  • Keep safe around food and drinks. Avoid communal serving utensils, passing of food, potluck or buffet style food service, and instead opt for individually prepared plates by a single server;
  • Perform hand hygiene often (e.g., wash hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer);
  • Avoid large gatherings, crowded areas, and high-risk activities such as singing;
  • For those attending a gathering, avoid contact with individuals outside of their household for 14 days prior to the gathering;
  • Ask anyone who has signs or symptoms of COVID-19, or has been exposed to someone diagnosed with COVID-19, to not attend the gathering;
  • If possible, conduct gatherings outdoors. Indoor gatherings should have good ventilation, open windows and doors if possible;
  • Verbally greet others instead of shaking hands or giving hugs. Think ahead about how you will manage to prevent physical interactions with loved ones of different ages such as young children; and
  • Check local conditions and state requirements for precautions and restrictions, including positivity rates and quarantine requirements, before crossing state

CMS has collaborated with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on these recommendations, and we encourage you to review CDC’s webpage on holiday celebrations, which has more suggestions for preventing the spread of COVID-19.

Note to nursing home staff: Staff should also use extra caution, especially during the holidays. Staff should follow the same recommendations for residents and families regarding gathering with their families and friends outside of work to protect the vulnerable residents they care for.

Additionally, while the above actions can greatly reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19, due to the highly contagious nature of the virus, we recommend nursing homes take the following actions when residents return to the nursing home:

  • Screen and increase monitoring for signs and
  • Test a resident for COVID-19 if signs or symptoms are present or if a resident or their family reports possible exposure to COVID-19 while outside the nursing home. A nursing home may also opt to test residents without signs or symptoms if they leave the nursing home frequently or for a prolonged length of time, such as over 24 hours. For more information on testing guidelines see CMS memorandum QSO-20-38-NH.
  • Place the resident on transmission-based precautions (TBP) if the resident or family member reports possible exposure to COVID-19 while outside of the nursing home, or if the resident has signs or symptoms of COVID-19 upon return. Please note that residents and loved ones should report to the nursing home staff if they have had any exposure to COVID-19 while outside of the nursing
  • Consider placing residents on TBP if they were away from the nursing homes for more than 24

As we progress through these challenging times, we express our sincere gratitude for everyone doing what they can to help protect nursing home residents. CMS’ mission is to safeguard the health, safety, and quality of life for America’s nursing home residents. While this year’s holiday celebrations will undoubtedly be different than previous years, together we can still find safe ways residents can enjoy the holidays with family and friends.

CMS Administrator

This alert is prepared as a service to the public and is not intended to take the place of either the written law or regulations. We encourage readers to review the specific statutes, regulations, and other interpretive materials for a full and accurate statement of their contents.

November 10, 2020-

Protecting the wellbeing of all in our Community has always been our top priority. From the first COVID-19 Response Team meeting, we set out to take a proactive approach, and our efforts will continue until we have a vaccine for COVID-19. Our team has spent much time over the past year, actively planning for resource needs, increasing infection control measures, implementing travel and illness surveillance, screening and testing team members, and staying in communication with our staff, residents, donors, and family members.

We continue our laser focus on keeping those within our community safe, and we are using every source of guidance from federal and state agencies and the senior living/long term care fields. As we increase our vigilance, we will do all we can to minimize the impact on day to day life while continuing our proactive approach.

As we carry on our prevention efforts, we will continue to follow the below measures to protect our staff, residents, and greater community:

  • Since March 13th, all visitors, groups and volunteers have been restricted from access to the building.
  • Any staff entering the building is being screened per Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services’ (DPHHS) and CDC suggestions.
  • All residents are being tested per the guidelines of CMS, CDC and the DPHHS. As well as monitoring temperatures and respiratory status every eight hours.
  • All groups are restricted from meeting across campus, and residents are practicing appropriate social-distancing and hand washing.
  • Any vendors with deliveries are also being screened if they need to enter the building, and any deliveries are being met at a designated location outdoors.
  • All staff have been asked to limit travelling during the pandemic and if they do travel to take precautions (masking, social distancing and handwashing). Upon return they are to follow the surveillance process for all employees, as well as doing a rapid test prior to working in the facility.
  • Dining services have been tailored to avoid group gatherings, and also accommodate any residents who are self-quarantining.
  • Any new admissions are being placed in a 14-day quarantine, while also being monitored multiple times a day for signs of COVID-19.

If you have any additional questions regarding our approach to COVID-19, please feel free to contact Carla Wilton, Chief Operating Officer, at cwilton@illcorp.org.

September 12, 2020-

For Immediate Release: Contact: John MacDonald 406-465-3558 or john@jmacconsult.com

Immanuel Lutheran Reports Fatality of COVID-19 Positive Resident

KALISPELL, MT – One of the 3 residents in the Skilled Care Center and Retreat of Immanuel Living who had previously tested positive for the Coronavirus and was in isolation, has died. She was preparing to be transferred back to her original residence when her health declined significantly. This resident, an 87 year old woman who was previously asymptomatic, was transported from Immanuel’s COVID-19 Quarantine Wing to Kalispell Regional Medical Center (KRMC) where she passed away shortly after being admitted on Thursday evening, while in the company of her loved ones. This death has been classified by KRMC as COVID-19-related, with other complications also playing a role.

“Although this resident passed away outside of our facility, we feel it’s very important to continue educating the public on the harsh reality that COVID-19 can transform in a matter of hours.” Cronk said. “This resident was in general good health – eating well, resting and comfortable, – when suddenly she took a turn for the worst. Her family is in our thoughts and prayers, as we mourn her loss.”

Immanuel continues to practice extensive Infection Prevention and Control measures to protect residents and educate staff to prevent COVID-19 from being introduced into our environment. The community continues to monitor and test both residents and staff each week. In addition to the testing and screening, ILC has taken extensive infection preventions measures.

August 24, 2020-

For Immediate Release:
Contact: John MacDonald 406-465-3558 or john@jmacconsult.com

Immanuel Lutheran Updates Resident COVID-19 Testing Results

KALISPELL, MT – One of 92 residents in the Skilled Care Center and Retreat of Immanuel Living who underwent nasal-swab testing for the Coronavirus last Friday has tested positive, but continues to show no symptoms. However, a second resident, whose Friday test came back negative, was hospitalized Sunday night for unrelated health issues and a test administered at the hospital came back positive.

“What we are seeing at Immanuel Living right now serves as a reminder and a caution about the serious nature and uncertainty of this virus,” Cronk said. “I am so proud of our staff for the measures they have taken to try to keep this out of our community – all the protocols, precautions, screenings and testing. But we still have had positive cases. It shows how unpredictable this virus is and the need for all of us to remain vigilant.”

Friday’s nasal-swab tests of residents were prompted by identical, mandatory staff tests earlier last week that confirmed three ILC employees tested positive for COVID-19. All of these staff members are in isolation at home while they recover. Two of those employees, a housekeeper and a maintenance worker, continue to be asymptomatic as of Monday. The third employee, a nurse, experienced some minor symptoms but is recovering well.

Cronk said no additional employees have shown any signs of the virus as of Monday. No other residents are showing symptoms, and all are in general good-health.

All 300 full- and part-time employees are screened at the beginning of each shift and receive nasal-swab testing weekly. The screening includes a temperature check and a series of questions to determine if they have symptoms or may have been exposed to the virus while outside of work.

All residents living in Immanuel Living are being screened every 8 hours, and monitored daily for symptoms of COVID-19.

Cronk said all residents residing in the Immanuel Skilled Care Center and The Retreat at Buffalo Hill will remain in quarantine until ILC receives all negative results for 14 days, per the Health Department’s requirement.

August 21, 2020-

For Immediate Release:
Contact: John MacDonald at 406-465-3558 or john@jmacconsult.com

Immanuel Lutheran Reports Three Staff Tested Positive for the Coronavirus

KALISPELL, MT – Three employees at Immanuel Living tested positive for the Coronavirus this week during the required nasal swab testing put in place to protect residents.

Jason Cronk, President and CEO of Immanuel Lutheran, said the three employees were notified immediately upon receipt of the initial positive tests results Wednesday, and ordered not to come to work. The test results were confirmed late Thursday evening. The Flathead County Health Department was immediately notified, as were the families of all ILC residents upon confirmation of the positive tests. At the time the tests were administered Monday, none of the employees showed any symptoms, Cronk said.

“It is obviously a concern that we had positive tests among any of our employees especially when they did not show any symptoms, but due to the nature of this virus, it is something we anticipated could happen and we have prepared to deal with this possibility,” Cronk said.

Due to preventative measures already in place at ILC, Cronk said he is optimistic the employees would not have spread the virus to any residents. The employees who tested positive included a nurse, a housekeeper and a maintenance worker.

All 300 full- and part-time staff are required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE), including face masks and face shields or goggles. Additionally, staff are required to social-distance, and when possible, limit their time around fellow staff members to under 15 minutes. When serving residents, staff members wear required PPE, and the resident is asked to wear a cloth face covering to eliminate possible spread.

Additionally, every ILC employee is screened at the beginning of each shift. The screening includes a temperature check and a series of questions to determine if they have any symptoms or may have been exposed to the virus outside of work. All residents living in assisted living, the Lodge, the Immanuel Skilled Care Center and The Retreat are also screened every eight hours and monitored for symptoms.  Residents living in independent living are asked to self-monitor.  As of Friday, no employees or residents across the ILC campus showed any symptoms.

Following guidance from the Flathead County Health Department, residents of the Immanuel Skilled Care Center and Retreat will be undergoing nasal swab testing on Friday.  Results of those tests are expected within 48-72 hours and will determine next actions.

As an additional precaution to protect our residents, Cronk said ILC implemented a policy which began on Monday, August 17th, that requires all employees to have the nasal swab test each week.

“Our priority is to protect our residents and staff from the virus, while also continuing to maintain a great quality of life for those who call our community home.” Cronk said. “Although there are many restrictions on our “normal” procedures due to the pandemic, we continue to find new creative ways to support and serve our residents.”

Immanuel continues to screen staff before each shift and to nasal swab test each employee weekly and will proceed with following very strict infection prevention measures to ensure to safety of both residents and staff. All ILC staff receive daily updates and educational pieces on COVID-19, as to help them make safe choices while outside of work.

August 12, 2020-

For Immediate Release:
Contact: John MacDonald, 406-465-3558 or john@jmacconsult.com

Immanuel Lutheran Confirms All Residents and Staff have Tested Negative for COVID-19 following Recent Positive

KALISPELL, MT – Following a positive test of COVID-19 for a resident at Buffalo Hill Terrace on July 29th, Immanuel Living followed the state’s recommendations to test all staff and residents in the Assisted Living facility. All residents were required to quarantine until our community received 14 days of negative tests since the positive was reported. After two rounds of weekly testing, we received word on August 12th that all of these results are negative for COVID-19.

This is great news, and our community continues to be diligent in protecting our residents against this pandemic. Our visitation restrictions on campus will continue as recommended by both CMS and the CDC, and our staff is continually working on new engagement activities and opportunities to prioritize human connection for residents, while performing extensive disinfecting, and proper social distancing.

Additionally, we are relieved to report that the resident who originally tested positive is doing well, and her test this week also came back negative. She was deemed “not contagious” by the state on August 7th, was relieved from the state’s isolation then, but remained in quarantine until today when we received word of all negative tests.

Jason Cronk, CEO of Immanuel Living said, “Our community is extremely appreciative of the support we have received after the unfortunate news a few weeks ago, and we are very blessed to have such amazing staff who acted quickly to prevent the spread of this positive throughout our community.”

July 29, 2020-

For Immediate Release:
Contact: John MacDonald, 406-465-3558 or  john@jmacconsult.com

Immanuel Lutheran Assisted Living Resident Tests Positive for COVID-19

KALISPELL, MT – Immanuel Living received confirmation on Wednesday, July 29 that a female resident in assisted living at Buffalo Hill Terrace has tested positive for COVID-19 and is in isolation. She is stable and resting comfortably.

Jason Cronk, CEO of Immanuel Living, said the organization immediately initiated prepared response plans when the test was suspected positive on Tuesday, and has been working with the Flathead County Health Department on “contact tracing” to determine who the affected resident may have been in contact with. Any persons who were exposed to this resident have been informed by the Flathead County Health Department.

Immanuel Living also immediately informed residents and their families of the positive test and suspended activities at Buffalo Hill Terrace.

Cronk said the organization is cooperating fully with state and federal health officials to trace the source of the exposure, analyze potential contact to other residents and staff within our community, and prevent any potential spread. The community has been busy since March, implementing new procedures to prevent the spread of illness, and to respond in the event it did arise. These precautions include:

  • monitoring resident travel
  • asking residents who recently traveled to self-quarantine
  • cancelling Community activities and programs
  • closing dining venues and delivering meals
  • restricting visitors
  • quarantining any newly admitted health care residents
  • requiring staff to self-monitor for symptoms up to 14-days upon return from travel
  • screening all team members and essential vendors including daily temperature checks and COVID-19 testing
  • encouraging only medically necessary resident travel off-campus
  • developing and practicing response contingency plans

While it was hoped these actions hinder the virus, Immanuel Lutheran leadership has continued conscientiously planning and preparing to respond effectively for a time such as this.

“Our priorities are to provide aid and comfort to our resident and the resident’s family at this time, and to ensure that every possible measure has been taken to isolate this case to prevent further exposure.” Cronk said. “Since it is seemingly impossible to defend against this virus until we have timely and accurate testing and a vaccine, our COVID-19 Response Team has been in constant preparation. The past few months have equipped us for this very moment, and I am confident that our extensive training combined with our strong clinical team that will do all that we can to eliminate this virus from our Community.”

As Flathead County sees and escalation in cases of COVID-19, Immanuel Living continues to promote the importance of personal action to protect seniors and other vulnerable populations. Daily communications to the Immanuel Lutheran Community encourage all to follow CDC guidelines of practicing proper hand hygiene and social distancing to prevent the further spread of COVID.19.

June 26, 2020- 

Yesterday, the Governor lifted the order directing “no visitation” in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Please click here to view a copy of his new directive on this subject which relies heavily on the guidance that has been issued by CMS and CDC. It also includes a general guidance document that was produced by the work group on this subject.

This order and guidance applies to both nursing homes and assisted living facilities. From the standpoint of this state executive order, all of the guidance is just that – guidance.

Each senior living community is asked to develop its own plan for allowing (or not) visitation, in consultation with our local public health authority, and considering the status of covid-19 in our community and our ability as a senior living community to meet applicable guidelines.

Protecting the wellbeing of all in our Community has always been our top priority, and thus far we have been successful in keeping the virus out. Upon Montana’s phased reopening which began in May, we have seen another spike in cases. In response to our current situation and the governor’s most recent directive, Immanuel will remain closed to visitors at this time.

In addition to the patio visits at Buffalo Hill Terrace, we are working with our local health department to allow scheduled visits outside with a protective barrier for Immanuel Skilled Care Center. Once finalized, we will share with you the policy and procedures to reserve your visitation.

In closing, we would like to thank you all for your patience, understanding and support as we navigate this pandemic. Our mission continues to be about putting the safety and well-being of our residents first. If there are further questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to:

Carla Wilton
Chief Operating Officer
(406) 309-5592
cwilton@ilcorp.org

Dwight Shaffer
Clinical Administrator
(406) 250-5578
dshaffer@ilcorp.org

April 27, 2020-

Immanuel Foundation is participating in the Whitefish Community Foundation’s Day of Giving and Unity on May 5 – 6 as an emergency response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19.  Donations will help fund technology that will allow Immanuel residents to stay connected to their loved ones while keeping them safe as they socially isolate.  Learn more at https://immanuelfoundation.org/dayofgiving2020. If you would like to give, go to https://whitefishcf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create?grant_id=11269 between 8am on May 5 and 12pm on May 6.  Thank you!

April 15, 2020-

Click the play button below to hear our CEO, Jason R. Cronk, featured on KGEZ Radio talking about Immanuel Lutheran’s preparedness for COVID-19!

March 25, 2020-

Protecting the well-being of all in our Community has always been our top priority. From the first COVID-19 Response Team meeting, we set out to take a proactive approach, and our efforts will continue until the last case of COVID-19 in the world has recovered. Our team has spent much time over these past weeks actively planning for resource needs, increasing infection control measures, implement travel and illness surveillance, screening team members, and communicating thoroughly and regularly. We continue our laser focus on preventing the introduction of coronavirus into our facility, and we are using every source of guidance from federal and state agencies and the senior living/long term care fields. As we increase our vigilance, we will do all we can to minimize the impact on day to day life while continuing our proactive approach.

Immanuel Living appreciates your incredible dedication to this cause. As we are now in a new phase of prevention, since having multiple reported cases of the coronavirus in the Flathead Valley, it’s time to implement new and more intensified measures.

  • Since March 13th, all visitors, groups and volunteers have been restricted from access to the building.
  • Any staff entering the building is being screened per Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services’ (DPHHS) suggestions.
  • All groups are restricted from meeting across campus, and any residents should practice appropriate social-distancing.
  • Any vendors with deliveries are also being screened if they need to enter the building, and any deliveries are being met at a designated location outdoors.
  • All staff have been asked not to travel out of the county, and if they do, are restricted from entering campus for 14-days following their return.
  • Dining services have been tailored to avoid group gatherings, and also accommodate any residents who are self-quarantining.
  • Any new admissions are being placed in a 14-day quarantine while also being monitored multiple times a day for signs of COVID-19.

We will see this through and emerge stronger. Again, we are appreciative of the understanding and efforts made by you all, and would like to encourage you to continue practicing hand washing measures as well as social distancing from others. We all need to do what we can to protect the well-being of the residents at most risk in our Community.

Additional Resources:
State of Montana COVID-19 Information
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention COVID-19 Information

March 19, 2020-

At Immanuel Living we are committed to providing a safe environment for our residents, their families, and our staff. It is natural to be concerned about the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) and in an effort to keep you all updated with the ever changing environment, we have developed this webpage where current updates will be posted.

This website will be updated daily with the most recent information from our Immanuel Lutheran COVID-19 Response Team, and features a form which allows you to ask questions, and receive a response from a qualified member of our clinical team.

At this time, we do not have any cases of coronavirus, and we are ever vigilant and remain on high alert to stay educated on this disease, and the precautions we need to take should it present itself. We will continue to follow recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), local and state health departments, and by our highly qualified and experienced Immanuel Living Clinical Team. 

Although faced with a challenging and ever-changing environment, we will continue to do what we feel is best for our residents and staff, to avoid the spread of this pandemic to our campus. It is our mission and ministry to provide an environment of support and loving care, and we intend to do just that, no matter the circumstances. We appreciate your ongoing support during this time, and look forward to a future, free of this pandemic.

If you have any questions regarding COVID-19 and Immanuel’s preparedness plan, please complete the below form and a member of staff will touch base with you shortly.

Get in Touch Today.

Call Us: (406) 752-9624