A Message From Your Executive Director
Dear Residents and Families,
Allow me to start with the most important news. On Friday we tested 123 staff and residents in response to having a staff member test positive on 11/29/2021. Of the 123 tests there was not a single positive result! The state epidemiology team has cleared us of this incident, and we will proceed with regularly scheduled staff surveillance testing.
On Friday we also administer COVID booster shots to 20 more staff and residents. We will continue to offer doses of the booster until every person at The Village who wants one has received it.
Thank you to residents and families who have so generously donated to our staff holiday baskets fund. I truly appreciate the support you all show toward our staff. If you have not donated and would like to there is still time. You may simply write a check to The Village and send it to my attention. Again, thank you.
As our community has grown there are many new faces and families who visit our residents on the 2nd floor. Please be mindful any time you are getting on or off the elevator on that floor that no residents get onto the elevator. If someone is trying to get on the elevator, please alert the staff immediately so we can intervene for safety.
Later this week I will be distributing an updated resident handbook to assisted living residents. It has been updated to reflect the new ownership. It also includes information about us enacting a late fee for rent payments as well as a fee for delivery of meals if the delivery is not for medical need and approved by the nurse on duty.
Finally, our nursing team has requested that residents and families let the nurses know about upcoming medical appointments with as much notice as possible. The nurses prepare documentation to send with the resident and giving some notice allows for this to be done properly and on time. Thank you!
Thank you for your continued support and stay warm!
Nikki
Community Connection
Last week we celebrated Thanksgiving, held book group, enjoyed a lecture from our resident Paula about her recent trip to Spain and Portugal, attended the Bugbee Senior Center Holiday Craft Fair, and much more. Nikki and Suzette took a group of residents to lunch at Chili’s last week and had a wonderful time. Of particular note, on Thursday we compiled all of our donations for The Haven and delivered them. The staff at The Haven was so pleased to receive everything. Thank you to all who donated and to Lorraine and Bill for helping deliver.
Today is the last day of Hanukkah. It has been a pleasure to be able to share in this eight-day celebration with our Jewish residents. Today our big indoor Christmas tree went up in the lobby. Be sure to check it out! The winter holidays are a beautiful time of year and we are honored to be able to share them with our residents.
This coming week we will host a holiday sing-along on Tuesday at 11am. On Wednesday we will have a special guest lecturer, Tom Farmen, discussing his book Bessie’s Story. Saturday evening residents can board the Village van to enjoy a drive-thru nativity scene in Lebanon. Be sure to sign up for all outings in the mail room!
***Life Enrichment is looking for gently used chess boards!
If you have a chess board that has all of its pieces, is in good condition, and would like a new home, please bring it to The Village. Our new chess club will be grateful for your donation!
Community Connection – Vaccines
We implemented a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for all staff effective 10/16/2021. We believe this will go a long way to keeping us all safe this winter.
We continue to offer the booster to all eligible residents and staff. We offer a Pfizer booster for residents and staff regardless of which type of vaccine they originally received. The CDC and FDA both have approved mixing and matching the booster dose.
CDC Frequently Asked Questions
Memory Care Minute
ATTENTION VILLAGE RESIDENTS!
NEVER STOP LEARNING!
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Dartmouth (Osher at Dartmouth) is a volunteer, non-profit (501c3) organization that provides educational programs year-round. Opportunities include studying timely and provocative subjects by participating in courses, attending lectures, interacting at social events, and more.
Osher at Dartmouth was established by Dartmouth College as the Institute for Lifelong Education at Dartmouth (ILEAD) in November 1990 by 38 members of the Upper Valley intrigued with the “idea of continued learning.” The founders relished the challenge of their own self-administered and peer-taught discussion programs. By 2010, the 20th anniversary of our organization, over 25,700 people have participated in the institute’s programs. In 2014, ILEAD formally became a member of the Osher network of lifelong learning institutes.
Osher at Dartmouth member and Study Leader Hank Buermeyer compiled a history of our program in 2010: “The History of ILEAD: The First Twenty Years, 1990-2010”
MISSION
To provide outstanding lifelong educational opportunities to those in the greater Upper Valley.
VISION
To be recognized as a national leader for excellence in lifelong education.
CORE VALUES
- An unwavering commitment to lifelong education.
- Membership opens to all, regardless of educational background.
- A diverse, high-quality program, led by dedicated volunteers.
- A welcoming social environment, within and beyond the classroom.
- An appropriate fee structure that provides for financial sustainability, member affordability, innovation, and growth.
- Strong and continuing two-way relationships with Dartmouth College and the Osher Foundation; and
- Excellence in everything we do.
COURSES
Between 25 and 90 courses are offered in each of the three terms: fall, winter, and spring. In recent years, our participants have:
- Had backstage access to the production of local theater
- Engaged in conversations with several prominent politiciansLearned the best tips and techniques for solving crossword puzzles
- Painted watercolorsLearned tips about selling on eBay
- Traveled to Botswana, the Basque Country, and Cuba
- Written memoirs and screenplaysThere is truly something for everyone throughout the year!
Learn more about this term’s courses by visiting their website. If you need assistance, please let Gretchen Cole know.
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
Gretchen Cole
Memory Care/Life Enrichment Director
Family and Caregiver Support Group
The Village Caregiver Support Group
Our support group meetings will be the 4th Tuesday of each month in the Smith and Sons Kitchen. (2:00PM-3:00PM)
Please contact Gretchen Cole with any questions.
Team Member Spotlight
Staff Spotlight – April Roberts
April joined The Village team recently as a Quality of Life Specialist. She brings a positive attitude and a love for her work. April likes to spend her time hanging out with her 3 children, crafting, and baking. She has a cat, a dog, and a guinea pig, collects warm fuzzy socks, and feels appreciated when people say thank you and truly mean it. Welcome aboard, April!
This Week’s Menu
This Week’s Activities
COVID-19 In Our Community
We are committed to keeping you informed of how COVID-19 is impacting The Village at White River Junction. We continue our robust commitment to following the guidelines from both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local health authorities by:
- Based on our current Phase and the positivity rate in our county, the following protocols for visitation are in place:
- We will gather name and contact info for contact tracing for every visit.
- Visits may occur between 8am and 8pm.
- Vaccinated guests may eat in the dining room at a table with only the resident they are visiting.
- Core principles of COVID-19 infection prevention will be enforced. These include:
- Screening before each visit
- Hand hygiene
- Mask use for all visitors and staff; fully vaccinated visitors may remove their mask when in a private area with a fully vaccinated resident.
- Visits can occur in the resident’s apartment or outside.
- Requiring all staff to wear surgical or procedural masks and adhere to screening processes
- Maintaining the frequency and rigor of cleaning and sanitizing all surfaces
- Reviewing our emergency preparedness and response program
- Coordinating best practices across our large partner network
- Group activities are held
Helpful Links
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html
- www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/index.html
LCS COVID-19 website
Local health department website
From the Governor
