Author: Lucas Koehntop

Covid-19 Plan

We at St. Francis Health Services of Morris take caring for your loved ones very seriously.

In response to coronavirus (COVID-19) we have aggressively implemented prevention and preparedness activities in all of our care centers (nursing homes, assisted livings, and group homes).

These interventions are intended to address the risk for our residents and employees from contracting and spreading the COVID-19.  We continue to follow guidelines provided to us by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and our local and state health agencies.

Visitor Restrictions:

  • Restricting all visitors effective immediately, with the exception of compassionate care. Essential visits are determined and evaluated case-by-case.
  • Restricting all volunteers and non-essential health care personnel.  Some volunteers have been assigned to screening tasks and limited to entry.

Infection Control Practices

  • We are monitoring our residents for signs and symptoms of respiratory infection and will work with our providers if someone becomes symptomatic.
  • We are following the guidelines of quarantine when a resident is newly admitted, been out of the care center, or been exposed to individuals at risk.
  • We have limited essential entrance to the building to one location.
  • We are actively monitoring and screening all employees/contractors upon entry into each of the care centers.
  • We have cancelled all group activities including communal dining.
  • We are practicing social distancing within each of our care centers.
  • We ask all deliveries be left at the care center identified door exterior entrance.

Status of COVID-19 Monitoring

  • We continue to monitor for updates, changes, and recommendations on a daily basis from all legitimate sources.
  • We have a designated team that is reviewing and updating infection prevention practices and emergency preparedness activities.
  • We are in contact with our local and state health department and emergency preparedness contacts.
  • We will continue to update residents, families, and this website as new information becomes available.

Trusted Resources for Official Updates:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS): https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cms-announces-new-measures-protect-nursing-home-residents-covid-19 

Minnesota Department of Health: https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/index.html

Kind Dining Training

Joyce Schiele attends Kind Dining training as part of Nutrition and Optimal Weight (NOW) Grant Implementation

Joyce Schiele attended Kind Dining training in April of 2019. The training seminar was facilitated by Cindy Heilman, CEO of Higher Standards and creator of Kind Dining. 

Kind Dining is a meal service method based on hospitality and “bringing warmth to the table.”  This program will provide staff the knowledge and tools necessary to enhance the dining experience for residents by promoting person-centered care and nurturing a healthy sense of community and service.

Joyce Schiele will train the staff of Morris Health Services in the concepts, practices, and standards of Kind Dining.  We are committed to improving the dining experience for our residents and to reduce the number of residents experiencing unintended or unexplained weight loss.   

2018-19 Leadership Academy Class Finishes Strong

Leah Nelson, VP of Human Resources for St. Francis Health Services and Crystal Holloway, Home Care Director for Morris Health Services recently completed the 2018-19 Leadership Academy program after a nine-month journey of learning, exploration and skills development for 36 emerging leaders in the older adult services field. LeadingAge Minnesota’s Leadership Academy is a unique leadership development program designed specifically to cultivate high potential, transformational leaders in the field of aging services. 

The program blends leadership theory, applied learning and personalized coaching. Fellows participate in a rigorous journey of interactive experience, self-reflection, critical skill development and action learning.

More than 250 professionals have graduated from this prestigious program since its beginning in 2010. They represent a new generation of transformational leaders in aging services – leaders who will not just respond to the changing times but who will drive positive change for their organizations and the aging services community. 

Congratulations Leah and Crystal!