Community Update for week of 12/26/2022

Update to residents on 12/27/2022

Frigid Weather Complications- An update by Rey Carrion

The frigid temperatures over the past week have created a series of heating issues throughout our campus.  At least 8 residents in the Apartment Building reported problems with inadequate heat. The drop in room temperature is the direct result of our booster heat pump not working.  Nick Ward was able to manually turn on the booster pump this morning (Tuesday) to allow added water flow to be sent to the respective units. Ken Menefee has called many of the residents this afternoon and all report their systems are now working properly. All residents have had communication from FS. Our heating contractor will be here tomorrow to inspect Cottages 39, 45, and 222 additional areas of challenge. Several residents have created work orders stating that their cottage geothermal heat pumps are not working. Those particular units will be inspected as well.  It has been our experience that during extreme cold temperatures the heat pumps struggle to maintain its goal temperature.  That’s when the auxiliary heating will turn on and give the pump a boost. We will inspect all units to assure they are working in accordance with manufacturers recommendations.

A Farewell from Sean Kelly, President and CEO for The Kendal Corporation, by Video

The affiliate executive directors asked if Sean could put together a short video offering his farewell to residents and staff in a little more personal way as he moves to a new role in California. I think you’ll find the message is very much the Sean, who we came to highly respect in his time with the Kendal family. We certainly wish him well in this new, larger role at Front Porch that will be serving thousands of senior adults on the west coast. https://voicesofkendal.gv-  one.com/video.html?v=P50pxyjXny0=&token=5f6298b5bada3f9f070670c9be41101f

Afternoon Exchange

Thursday, Dec 29 at 4 PM. We’ll recognize and celebrate another “Pandemic Hero”: we have invited Mary and Malcolm Fowler who stepped forward to replace countless watch batteries for both independent and Stephens Care Center residents unable to leave campus. Come to learn more about our beginning process to become certified by SAGE (www.sageusa.org) as part of our diversity efforts. Please plan to join us in person or on KOTV.

Weather Challenges

A Big Thank You to Facility Services and Dining Staff and everyone who helped get us through the intense cold and challenges over the holidays. Some of those challenges are still with us, unfortunately.  Clearing the roads and walkways, dealing with frozen pipes and water leaks, making sure everyone was safe, providing meals – it takes a village. We are deeply appreciative of the Kendal team who continue to come through addressing the matters as they arise.

Dining Update from Greg Zehe

New Year’s Reservations

The New Year’s Day meal is open for limited guest seating (50). Each residence (Cottage/Apartment) may have no more than 4 outside guests. All guests must be vaccinated.

Adult meal price is $24.95 and Children’s meal price is $14.95 for 12 & under. Guests will be charged under your account as guests. These charges cannot be applied to your meal plan.

Please respond promptly to guarantee your desired time. If your requested time is not available, we will notify you.

Carry-out orders will be served from the Langston Dining Room Take-out hours for meals will be from 11:15am-12:30pm.

Please complete the online form if you will be dining in for the holiday meal by Tuesday, December 27th, 2022, using this link:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0B4FADAB2AA1FB6-newyears

Note: The Fox & Fell and Langston will both be closed for evening dinner service.

Other Announcements

NEW AquaFit Shallow Water class

New class in January, Wednesdays 4:15-5:00pm with Claire. This class is a full body workout in the shallow end of the pool, combining cardio, strength, balance, and flexibility. All fitness levels are welcome, no swimming required. Come join us!

Pool Monitors

The current pool monitor schedule can be found on the Pool Room Schedule. This schedule may vary week to week, depending on monitor availability. Please confirm monitor times on the schedule with the whiteboard in the Fitness Center. The board will tell you who the monitors are for the week. Thank you!

COVID News and Statistics:

Governor Mike DeWine’s regular COVID Press Conferences: https://ohiochannel.org

Flu Season Is Upon Us. What Should You Do If You Get Sick With Influenza?

Flu symptoms can cause mild to severe illness and usually come on suddenly. Symptoms such as fever or feeling feverish/chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue, and in some instances vomiting and diarrhea (though more common in children than adults.)

Most people with flu who have been vaccinated have mild symptoms and will not need medical care or antiviral drugs. You should always stay home and avoid contact with other people except to get medical care when necessary. Stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone without the need to use a fever-reducing medicine, such as Tylenol. If you live in a household with another person wear your mask and wash your hands frequently with warm soap and water. Try to remain in separate rooms, including sleeping, as much as possible.

Meals can be delivered to you in your cottage or apartment while you are ill by calling the Dining Room Operations Manager line at 440-775-9801. Remaining hydrated, resting, and treating symptoms with over-the -counter medications are key to a steady recovery.

How Long Symptoms Appear After Exposure and Infection: For both Covid-19 and flu, one or more days can pass from when a person becomes infected to when they start to experience symptoms of illness. If a person has COVID-19, it could take them longer from the time of infection to experience symptoms than if they have flu. Typically, a person may experience symptoms of flu anywhere from 1-4 days after infection. With COVID-19 a person may experience symptoms anywhere from 2-5 days, and up to 14 days after infection.

If you are very sick, worried about your illness, or you are in a higher risk group, please contact the Health & Wellness Clinic at 440-775-9819 immediately (or your primary care provider if you do not have a Kendal physician) to report symptoms and/or seek advice. The Health & Wellness Clinic does have influenza test kits available that can be sent directly to Mercy Laboratory. Kendal also recommends the Mercy Walk-In Care in Oberlin at 224 W Lorain St., Suite 100, as an additional option for evaluation and treatment if the Kendal Nurse Practitioner or Physicians are not readily available. The CDC recommends that people at higher risk for complications should receive the antiviral treatment as early as possible, because benefits are greatest if treatment is started within 2 days after illness onset.

The emergency room should be used for people who are very sick. You should not go to the emergency room if you are only mildly ill.

What Are Emergency Warning Signs of Flu?

  • Difficulty breathing/shortness of breath
  • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
  • Persistent dizziness, confusion, inability to arouse
  • Seizures
  • Not urinating
  • Severe muscle pain
  • Severe weakness or unsteadiness
  • Fever or cough that improve but then return or worsen
  • Worsening of chronic medical conditions
COVID STATISTICS as of 12/27/2022
VACCINATIONS# VaccinatedPopulation% of Pop
Kendal at Oberlin vaccinations
Residents Vaccinated343343100.0%
Staff Vaccinated (some have Medical or Religious Exemption)       221             224            98.7%
Total Residents + Staff vaccinated56456799.5%
Lorain County (Vaccinations Started)213,040 68.7%
Ohio (Vaccinations Started)7,548,022 64.6%
KENDAL AT OBERLIN – COVID CASES (Cumulative)12/27/2022Increase 
Residents
Independent Living Resident Cases570 
Stephens Care Center – Residential Care271 
Stephens Care Center – Skilled Nursing40 
Residents Subtotal88  
Staff
SCC Staff and Volunteer Cases1043 
Other Staff Cases770 
Staff Subtotal181  
Total Residents + Staff269       4         
Current # in Isolation, COVID Positive0  
Total # of COVID, Beyond Isolation283  
LORAIN COUNTY – COVID CASES (Cumulative)12/22/2022Increase 
Total in Zip Code 440742,71021 
Total Lorain County86,268592 
Current CDC Lorain County Positivity Rate10.2%HIGH
Deaths
Total Lorain County9730 
Age Range Breakdown: 20-29: 5. 30-39: 7. 40-49: 23. 50-59: 74. 60-69: 190. 70-79: 274. 80+: 400
Note: Cumulative = since start of pandemic. Increase = since last week.

Contact Information


If you have any questions or concerns,  please contact Stacy Terrell, Chief Health Services Officer, at 440-775-9811