Open window visits continue at Pioneer Cottages in Fergus Falls. We have implemented our Essential Caregiver Program at the Cottages.
Outdoor visits continue at Pioneer Pointe where the Essential Caregiver Program is also in effect.
As weather and other circumstances allow, family and friends may visit residents outdoors at PioneerCare Center, Pioneer Cottages and Pioneer Pointe. Each location may have specific policies and procedures related to such visits, and these policies are subject to change.
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has provided guidance on outdoor visits. Indoor visits will continue to be limited to essential health care personnel and compassionate care situations for now.
Using the MDH guidelines, PioneerCare has developed an Outdoor Visit Program to support safe and comfortable visits for you and your loved one. General criteria include:
- Fair Weather. PioneerCare will be allowing outdoor visits on fair weather days. We will do our best to determine an appropriate definition of “fair weather,” and will reserve the right to cancel visits due to weather. In general, weather cancellations would result from rain, high wind, storms, extreme temperature, etc.
- Number of Visitors. We are limiting number of visitors per resident to one immediate household, or a maximum of four people from different households.
- Advanced Scheduling. Due to the requirement to have staff available for support, we are requiring you to schedule your visit in advance during designated visiting hours. Visiting hours may vary by location, so please contact the location where your loved one resides, or check PioneerCare’s website for specifics by location.
- Designated Visiting Areas. Each location has designated outdoor visiting areas. These areas are set up to be comfortable, allow staff to monitor, and to promote the required social distancing and cleanliness requirements. Please contact the location or check PioneerCare’s website for specifics by location.
- On-Site Visitor Screening and PPE. Each location will require visitors to be screened by designated staff prior to their visiting time, to wear masks and use alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Staff screeners will be readily available during visiting hours.
- Avoid Physical Contact. To continue protecting everyone from potential virus transmission, we ask that you avoid hugs, handshakes and other physical contact.
- MDH Guidance for Outdoor Visits. During your first outdoor visit, we’ll ask you to read a description of the visit requirements provided by the MN Department of Health (MDH), agree to follow those instructions, and accept that there is some COVID-19 risk even in these protected situations. PioneerCare is required to follow MDH guidance.
- Volunteers. MDH is allowing facilities to use volunteers to help coordinate outdoor visits. If you would like to volunteer, we would be excited to talk to you about those opportunities.
- FAQ. For specifics on what to expect, see the Frequently Asked Questions document posted by our professional association, LeadingAge Minnesota.
Reservation Information for Visits:
PioneerCare Center
Visiting Hours: 11:00 am to 4:00 pm Monday-Friday
Phone 218.998.1500
Pioneer Cottages – Fergus Falls
Visiting Hours: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday-Friday
Call Kay for appointment details at: 218.998.9678
Pioneer Cottages – Breckenridge
Visiting Hours: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday-Friday
Call Diane for appointment details at: 218.643.9572
Pioneer Pointe
Visiting Hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday-Friday
Phone: 218.739.7773
Please remember that our living settings are communal in nature. Actions may affect not only your loved one’s health and well being, but that of their neighbors. PioneerCare reserves the right to intervene if policies are not properly followed.
