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 The most difficult part of the scenario for
families and also for the residents is the lack of visiting
privileges right now. Families are not able to go in and visit with
their loved ones for the safety and protection of the senior.
The facilities that LDN has spoken to say that residents are doing
well and do understand the need to spend this time in isolation.
The Christian Village (TCV) has a large number of residents and
staff. Janell Woolard serves as Community Liaison and provided an
update on Covid-19 actions to protect residents.
TCV is a Life Plan Community that includes various settings and care
levels - Independent Living Garden Homes and Apartments, The Woods
Foundation Assisted Living Garden Villa, Long-Term Skilled Nursing
Care, George C. Gahr Memory Care Center and GracePoint Short-Term
Rehab.
There are designated common areas within each living option where
residents would normally gather for activities or meal times. The
community environment is important to the wellbeing of the residents
and helps residents to not feel isolated. However at times like
these, Woolard said, that it is in the best interest of the
residents to limit use of communal areas.
At the same time, it is also important that the residents be able to
have some interaction and social time. TCV has come up with some
very creative ways to address that.
Tie-dye activity
outside on a warm day On nice days
residents still get to enjoy time outside in the community’s
enclosed courtyards. Woolard said that they still must observe
social distancing and staff are careful to assure that the rule is
maintained.
The community dining areas are closed throughout the campus. Woolard
noted, “The management team is regularly pitching in with the ‘room
service’ to ensure meals are served in a most timely manner.”
Residents are also required to wear a face mask when not in their
rooms. Woolard commented, “Residents are to wear masks when outside
of their rooms and they have been very cooperative and
understanding.”
Woolard also explained how the group is staying
active inside. “Our activities department has had to regularly
‘think outside of the box’ to keep the residents active while
staying in their rooms. We have had “hallway bingo” where each
resident sits in their doorway with their bedside table. Our
activity associates are spread through the hall calling the numbers
and checking the bingo cards. That one has gone over really well.
“We have been doing lots of crafts and other members of our staff
get creative as well.
Craig Kretkowski, RN, and a member of our nurse
management team, broke out his guitar and performed a Karaoke
concert! The residents were dancing in their doorways!
“Our Chaplain Ryan Edgecombe makes sure to continue his ministry in
different ways including making sure regular communion is still a
part of their spiritual life by taking communion to each room and
having the opportunity to pray with residents individually.”
Woolard said that TCV is also doing more than ever to help residents
stay in touch with family. “We are regularly doing FaceTime phone
calls for residents to talk to their loved ones.
Woods Foundation Garden Villa Apartment Director,
Cynthia White said Villa residents are also enjoying digital visits
with loved ones. “Our residents are staying connected to their
families by using the Villa tablet for Face-timing loved ones.” [to top of second
column] |
Woolard said that social media is a big asset in keeping in
touch with families. She explained that the TCV has ramped up
the social media posting to help keep families informed. “We are
posting to social media more frequently so family feel they have
a good “portal” into their loved ones daily lives.”
And the visits to the front door or the window of a
room are an acceptable practice at the TCV and a number of families
have paid those kinds of visits.
White commented, “We especially enjoy the window and front door
greetings from family and friends. It lights up our hearts to see
the expression on the residents face when someone special appears at
their own personal window just to say hello.”
Woolard added that in other areas it is also common to see family
members standing outside resident windows to see loved ones, and
that there have been several birthday and life celebrations observed
at the windows of TCV.
The Independent Living apartment building that is part of TCV campus
has also implemented visitor restrictions for the time being and
observing social distancing, and avoiding close interactions among
the residents.
Woolard noted, “Of course, staff are required to wear the face masks
and take the extra precautions. No visitors are allowed in the main
congregate building. Independent Living Director Julie King is
working tirelessly to ensure her residents are staying healthy and
safe to the best of her ability. She has added ‘errand runner’ to
her list of several titles as she is running a lot of errands for
her residents who are not feeling comfortable with going out and
about to the stores for their needs.”
King says that the residents in her area are an inspiration. “I am
constantly amazed at the resiliency and patience of the seniors that
I work with and for. I am humbled by their strength and
adaptability. What an honor it is to be a part of their lives!”
Woolard said that staff are also weathering the Covid storm well.
The TCV has kept everyone on staff and extra health precautions have
been put into place to help assure that staff are entering the TCV
healthy. “We are doing everything the State of Illinois requires as
well as several extra measures to ensure the utmost safe environment
for our residents and our associates. That is our most important
focus right now,” said Woolard.
Staff check-in stations have been set up. Woolard adds, “Once they
have gone through all stations correctly, they are clear to begin
their shift.”
Woolard said that CNA and Restorative Aid Laurie Cleary along with
CNA and Nurse Scheduler Taylor Etcheson are responsible for the
daily check-in procedure and “have been doing an amazing job at
spearheading this daunting effort.”
Every staff member is required to wear a mask during their shifts.
Woolard said that TCV does have a good supply of masks and have also
been blessed by the donations of handmade cloth masks, an act of
love from the community that the TCV is grateful for.
Woolard noted that even though life around us all has changed for
the time being, “Our mission has not changed. We are driven by
servant leadership and that holds truer now more than ever in this
unprecedented time.”
Woolard said that the residents are doing well, and they do
understand the need for these added precautions right now, even if
it is harder for them.
She recounted a brief conversation with a resident that really drove
it all home for her personally. “The other day one of our residents
was watching the news in her room. As I was walking by, she made
sure to get my attention and tell me that she has been following the
statistics for Illinois.”
The resident said “thank you for all you are doing to keep us safe
right now.” She added, “I know it probably isn’t easy, but you’re
all doing a good job.”
Woolard concluded, “That meant more to hear than I can explain.
Right now, more than ever, it is the smallest things that make the
biggest impact.”
We want to thank Woolard for assisting us with putting this together
for our readers. We also want to say a huge thank you to all the
staff at The Christian Village from the management staff to the
nurses and CNA’s, Chaplain, dietary and housekeeping staff,
absolutely everyone who daily reports for duty understanding fully
the responsibility they are taking in caring for our loved ones.
What you are doing every day of the week makes you a hero is the
mind of many, many people, and right now, it makes you our
Super-heroes!
Thanks for all you do! Stay safe. Stay healthy!
[Nila Smith with information and excerpts by Janell Woolard]
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