Precautions help protect seniors in care facilities

Saint Therese • April 6, 2020

The Catholic Spirit | Joe Ruff and Barb Umberger | March 26, 2020

“This is something we can all do for one another,” Fr. Matthew Ehmke told the congregation at 10:30 a.m. Mass March 8 at Saint Therese of New Hope.

Presiding at the Mass, he was addressing liturgical restrictions in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, such as not using holy water and avoiding physical contact during the sign of peace, in order to curb spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).


Just 10 days later, as the virus spread across Minnesota, Archbishop Bernard Hebda suspended all public Masses.


Now, Catholic residents of Saint Therese watch Mass on television in their rooms. Fr. Ehmke is exploring the possibility of distributing Communion to residents of the independent and assisted living facility. Visitors are not allowed in, unless a loved one is deathly ill. Residents can leave to go shopping and meet other needs, and many still eat in the dining area, but they abide by rules for social distancing set by health officials, Fr. Ehmke said.


Saint Therese is one example of the many providers with new restrictions, like visitor restrictions, that have gone into effect in Minnesota and many other parts of the country. These are seen as precautions to help protect seniors in care facilities in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic and the respiratory illness it causes.


According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, older adults are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19. Eight of 10 deaths reported in the U.S. have been adults age 65 and older. The advanced age of many long-term care residents, underlying health conditions and proximity to others can increase risk.


Facility administrators and clinical staff look to ongoing guidance from organizations including the CDC, the Minnesota Department of Health, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and local and county public health agencies. The agencies regularly communicate specific guidelines on topics ranging from cleaning practices to visitor screening and restrictions.


The focus is on residents, but effective policies and procedures also help protect employees, vendors and visitors from becoming sick or passing on illness.


Beyond compliance with policies to protect residents’ health, facilities prioritize keeping family members informed and keeping life as normal and meaningful as possible for residents.

Fr. Ehmke, 81, has lived at Saint Therese for six years, and he helps with Masses and other pastoral care. Residents and employees have calmly implemented safety procedures, he said. Many are accustomed to similar precautions, though usually not as strict, when influenza and other viruses make their seasonal appearances, he said.



“When you get old, you’ve been through a thing or two,” he said.

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At Saint Therese, our heartfelt purpose since 1968 has been a people first approach to living well by providing senior care and services where every life we touch feels welcomed, respected, and heard. We achieve this by doing ordinary things with extraordinary love every single day. Contact us to learn more. 

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By Barb Hemberger • May 23, 2025
The 2025 America’s Health Rankings® Senior Report was recently released, offering a comprehensive overview of the health and well-being of older adults across the United States. The report, based on 55 measures from 24 distinct data sources, highlights both strides made and challenges persisting in senior health. While there is encouraging progress in areas like reduced early death rates and strengthened social connectedness among older adults, significant mental and behavioral health challenges remain. Key Findings from the Report Falls and obesity rates have stabilized after peaking earlier this decade. The number of geriatric clinicians increased by 5 percent, marking the highest rate ever recorded by the rankings. Volunteerism saw a 19 percent increase between 2021 and 2023. The healthiest state for older adults was Vermont, followed by Colorado, Washington, Utah, and Connecticut. Meanwhile, Mississippi ranked as the least healthy state, with Louisiana, West Virginia, Oklahoma, and Kentucky following suit. Insights from States with Saint Therese Senior Communities Minnesota ranked 7th overall, placing it among the top 10 healthiest states for older adults. It showed a promising 13 percent increase in the number of geriatric clinicians between 2021 and 2024. However, the state also experienced a significant 23 percent rise in depression rates among adults aged 65 and older, increasing from 12.8 to 15.7 percent between 2018 and 2023. Michigan secured the 21st spot in the rankings. The state showed notable improvements, including an 18 percent drop in falls, decreasing from 32.6 to 26.7 percent of adults aged 65 and older between 2014 and 2023. Additionally, cognitive difficulty rates decreased by 13 percent, from 8.8 to 7.7 percent during the same period. Ohio ranked 36th overall, but one bright spot was a significant 35 percent increase in the number of geriatric clinicians between September 2019 and September 2024. Positive Signs for Volunteering The news about volunteering is a positive sign as emerging evidence shows that older adults who volunteer regularly have fewer cognitive complaints and a lower risk for dementia compared with those who do not volunteer regularly. At Saint Therese, volunteers are as much a part of our organization as our residents, families, visitors, and employees. We rely on and value the countless hours and dedication of those who support our mission by volunteering in our communities. We are always looking for volunteers. To find out more, or to apply to be a volunteer, please visit us here. The Bottom Line The 2025 Senior Report, produced by the United Health Foundation, underscores the complexities of senior health in the United States. While strides have been made in areas such as access to specialized care and volunteer engagement, persistent challenges like obesity, depression, and behavioral health highlight the need for continued efforts. The Report serves as a crucial reminder of the ongoing work needed to ensure a healthier future for older adults across the nation.

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