Wayzata’s Meridian Manor will not reopen according to the company that owns the facility.
A total of 59 residents living there were moved from there earlier this month after an outbreak of COVID-19.
Read Wayzata.com’s previous story on Meridian Manor here.
Below is a statement from Transforming Age, the company that owns Meridian Manor:
Transforming Age to Close Meridian Manor, Relocate Residents
WAYZATA, Minn. – Transforming Age, a nonprofit organization providing high quality housing, services and healthcare for older adults, today announced to residents, family members, and team members that the organization has made the difficult decision to not reopen the assisted living facility as a result of multiple negative impacts of COVID-19.
As a mission-focused nonprofit organization, Transforming Age, which owns and operates Meridian Manor, is prioritizing the health and safety of residents and team members.
“Our mission is first and foremost to serve seniors, and the multiple impacts of COVID-19 has made it impossible for our team at Meridian Manor to continue our mission at that community,” said Torsten Hirche, President and CEO of Transforming Age. “We are doing our utmost to help our residents, families and team members make the transition.”
On April 18, the Minnesota Department of Health Emergency COVID-19 task force directed Meridian Manor to transition all residents to other providers. The decision to relocate residents was made to protect their health and safety. At the time, Meridian Manor was facing an increasing number of COVID-19 cases among residents and team members. Ultimately, the relocation was intended to stop the spread of the virus and save lives.
Transforming Age continues to support the residents, families, and team members by providing case management services and sponsoring refunds of rent and providing moving services.
“Ultimately, we need to do what is best for our residents, so they can enjoy a high quality of life,” said Hirche. “Meridian Manor and the Transforming Age Transition Team are working with residents, families, and team members to minimize the impact of the closure and ensure the transition is as comfortable as possible.”
Meridian Manor is providing professional moving services to all residents, at no cost. Residents are also being offered complimentary rent at other communities within Transforming Age that have no known cases of COVID-19 and special consideration is being given to keep neighbors and friends together. The Transforming Age human resources team is working with team members individually to assist with options and next steps.
As of Monday April 27, a total of 21 residents have tested positive for COVID-19, out of the 59 residents among the Meridian Manor family. Two residents have passed away due to complications with COVID- 19. Thirteen team members have also tested positive and are quarantining at home. Meridian Manor continues to cooperate with MDH and the team is humbled by the support of neighboring providers who are providing temporary lodging and care for residents.
“We express our deepest gratitude to our heroic team members and our partners for keeping our residents safe,” said Hirche. “We thank the Minnesota Department of Health for their vital assistance. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Meridian Manor community, our residents and their families.”
