Heritage Confirms Positive COVID-19 Test at Ives Hill Retirement Community

Heritage President and CEO, Lisa Haglund, confirmed today that Ives Hill, a Heritage senior living community in Watertown, New York, has a staff member who tested positive for the COVID-19 virus in their senior living community.

Haglund stated, “The staff member who tested positive is currently in quarantine, and will not return to work at Ives Hill until further notice. All of our families have been notified. Per New York state mandate, all visitation at The Lodge is suspended until further notice. In accordance with HIPAA requirements, no further details will be released.”

Haglund shared, “At Heritage, the health and safety of both our residents and staff is of the utmost importance, and we are taking action to reduce the risk of exposure for all. The steps we are implementing are directly tied to the recommendations and guidelines of the CDC, state, local, and federal regulations, and we will adjust these steps if those recommendations change. To date, we consider ourselves lucky to have limited our exposure as a result of the pro-active efforts of our staff working in conjunction with our COVID-19 task force.

Heritage has taken multiple steps to help prevent exposure for residents, including daily employee and resident health screenings in accordance with CDC guidelines, and no group activities.

She continued, “Our COVID-19 task force has been preparing for this possibility, and we believe our incredible team of caregivers is well trained and ready to support our residents.”

The outlets below also featured this story:

Heritage Ministries, the parent company of Ives Hill Retirement Community, was founded as the Orphanage and Homes of the Free Methodist Church in 1886 and has grown from its original campus in Gerry, NY, to six locations in New York with additional affiliations across the United States. As a not-for-profit provider of senior care and housing, Heritage is a leader in the industry, employing approximately 1,500 team members, and serving over 2,500 individuals annually. With locations in New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Washington, Heritage and its affiliates provide rehabilitation and skilled nursing services, independent retirement housing, and assisted living. Homestead Stables provides intergenerational equestrian opportunities as well as boarding, training, lessons, and a therapeutic riding program. In addition, childcare is provided at two campuses, allowing for intergenerational programs. For more information on Heritage Ministries, please visit www.heritage1886.org.