A Message From Your Executive Director
I am thrilled to let you know that we have found our new Director of Health Services. Suzette Barbour, RN will join us next week on 5/10. We are so fortunate to have found Suzette so quickly. She comes to us with over 30 years of experience as a nurse, including several leadership positions in long-term care communities. We look forward to bringing Suzette on board and will host a meet & greet sometime toward the end of May.
Be sure to check out the Memory Care Minute section below where Gretchen tells us about this week’s Nurses Week celebration.
Thank you for your continued support, enjoy the sunny weather, Happy Mother’s Day and we will see you soon!
Nikki
Community Connection
Last week at The Village residents stayed busy indoors avoiding the rainy weather with daily fitness sessions including Chair Yoga with Swan Drsti, daily movies and documentaries in Lyric Cinema, trivia in Teddy’s Pub, live music with the Occasional Jug Band in Miller Stage, and a shopping trip to the Food Co-op in Lebanon.
On Tuesday, Sam, Director of Life Enrichment, and Katie, our new Life Enrichment Coordinator hosted a lunch discussion group in Windsor Dining Room to brainstorm ideas for new activities and receive feedback on our current programming. The residents who joined us had some great ideas. On Wednesday, artist Gaal Shepherd returned to the community to lead her second painting class in Abbott Studio for Assisted Living residents and in Newton Lounge for Memory Care. We are very excited for her to return next Wednesday at 1:30.
We wrapped up the week with a farewell party for Danielle Yoder, Director of Health Services, in Teddy’s Pub on Friday. We wish Danielle the best of luck and appreciate her commitment to The Village over the past year.
This week residents can look forward to daily walking group, scenic drives, coffee & current events, Happy Hour on Thursday, and a special Cinco De Mayo celebration with a Margarita Bar on Wednesday. On Tuesday, we will order out from C&S Pizza and have a lunchtime pizza party in Smith & Son’s Kitchen at noon. Any residents who would like to join, please sign up with the concierge.
NOTE: As always, Skype calls are available to keep everyone connected. To schedule, please sign up at https://teamup.com/kszegtj8g4jco615xw and reach out to Sam with any questions.
Community Connection – Vaccines
Our pharmacy has resumed distribution of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
We understand that you may have questions about this process as well as the vaccines themselves, for that reason we are sharing below the links to the CDC and Johnson & Johnson websites to help answer some of your inquiries.
Memory Care Minute
By Gretchen Cole, Director of Memory Care
Hello everyone —
Each month during the year offers special recognition of different health care positions. The Village is proud to be recognizing one part of our team in May. This week starts the recognition of National Nurses Week. We are so fortunate to have dedicated nurses who deliver such astounding and wonderful care. We have both Licensed Practical Nurses and Registered Nurses who watch over The Village residents.
Being a nurse has never been an easy job and thinking about this celebration reminded me to do some research and learn more about Florence Nightingale. I highly recommend that you do your own research and review the life of Florence Nightingale by visiting the following website. Florence Nightingale – Biography, Facts & Nursing – HISTORY. She dedicated her life to nursing and advocated tirelessly for patient care. It is easy to see her passion and professionalism reflected in our own staff.
Have you ever been cared for by a nurse in your lifetime? I certainly have, with my first memories of the wonderful school nurse I had in elementary school. Somewhere, at some time, a nurse has played an important role in your health and well-being. As you go through your week, please take a moment, and thank a nurse. Let’s celebrate those who have dedicated their lives to caring for others.
Have a great week everyone —
Gretchen
Family and Caregiver Support Group
The Village Caregiver Support Group
Our first meeting will be on Tuesday May 11th in the Smith and Sons Kitchen. (2:00PM-3:00PM)
We will meet person and I will also send out a Zoom link for those who are unable to attend in person.
Our ongoing meeting schedule will be determined at that time.
Please contact Gretchen Cole with any questions.
Resident Spotlight
The Gates Twins
Meet Jean and John (and Marilyn!). Jean and John are twins who will celebrate their 93rd birthday this week. Jean has been a resident of The Village for nearly 2 years and just recently her brother moved into an assisted living apartment with his wife Marilyn. The Gates twins grew up and raised their families in the Upper Valley and it is so special to have them together in our community.
Welcome to John and Marilyn and Happy Birthday to the twins!
Tips For These Times
Last Thursday, Lisa Hannigan performed a magnificent, uplifting concert live from The National Gallery of Ireland. Enjoy this beautiful recording of “Undertow”.
Lisa Hannigan is a versatile Irish folk-pop singer who made a name for herself as a vocal partner of fellow Irishman Damien Rice before setting out on her own.
Talk Time
Join Nikki every Wednesday at 10:00 am via Zoom for COVID and community updates and have an opportunity to ask questions.
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, visitors will be allowed beginning 2/26/21
- All visits must be scheduled ahead of time. We need to record the time you enter the community.
- Limit of 2 visitors per resident at a time, up to 4 visitors per day
- We will gather name and contact info for contact tracing for every visit.
- Visits may occur between 9am and 7pm.
- 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
- Physical distancing when possible
- 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
- Asking residents and employees to adhere to the State of Vermont travel restrictions
- Coordinating best practices across our large partner network
- Group activities are held following social-distancing guidelines
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
