Dear Walker Methodist residents, families, and team members,

This year has been one of the most challenging in our history, and our teams have adapted quickly and successfully. Along with other senior living industry leaders, I submitted a letter to the editor of the Star Tribune (see letter below), praising our teams for the work they are doing to keep our residents safe and engaged. Please see the attached letter that was published in the Monday issue of the Star Tribune.

COVID status update

We have tested more than 1,000 people, including residents and team members in the last 30 days. We continue to see very low rates of infection compared to where we were several months ago. That is worthy of celebration.

Unfortunately, there are some residents with active cases of COVID-19. If your community or loved one was affected, the leadership team of that community would have already reached out to you.

These are the communities that have residents with cases of COVID-19.

• Havenwood of Buffalo. 1 active case (resident was moved off campus to a dedicated COVID unit).
• Westwood Ridge (West St. Paul). 1 active case.

We continue to work diligently to protect each and every one of our residents and team members.

Thank you for your continued support. Together we will overcome.

Scott Riddle,
President and CEO, Walker Methodist

Letter to the Editor of the Star Tribune

Dear editor,

When COVID-19 struck, new restrictions were thrust upon senior living communities. It has been hard for residents and family members, and we have all worked tirelessly to help them cope and even thrive amidst the isolation.  

As fear from COVID-19 grew, that fear was felt by our employees. They knew they were as susceptible to contracting the virus as anyone else. They also knew they had to stay healthy to defend our vulnerable populations from this unseen force.

We thought COVID-19 would be the hardest thing our industry would ever face. And then came the spark from the horrifying killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. That spark ignited fires in our hearts and cities. As the evenings turned violent, our teams once again, put their own fears aside to protect and serve our residents.

This is courage. These are heroes.

We are awestruck by the sheer bravery and sacrifice we have witnessed by those who work in senior living. We witness the genuine love that our team members show to residents who feel alone. In the midst of pain, we see so much good.

But the stories being reported are more often of the pain than the good. Thousands of senior living residents have fought and won the battle against the coronavirus. Minnesota continues to have fewer cases and deaths among senior living residents than most other states. Our caregivers are winning battles against COVID-19, and they need to hear it.

This journey is not over, and our dedicated staff will continue to carry burdens and make sacrifices. We hope that members of the media, our legislators, families, and neighbors will see the love of our teams, and join us in saying “thank you” for their perseverance, dedication, and love.

Sincerely,

Presidents and CEOs of Minnesota senior living communities:

Bob Dahl, Cassia
Jon Lundberg, Ebenezer
Jim Bettendorf, Vista Prairie Communities
Dan Lindh, Presbyterian Homes
Scott Riddle, Walker Methodist