Community Update for week of 2/6/2023

February 8, 2023

Update to residents on 2/7/2023

Masks are now optional in Independent Living public areas – but still required in the SCC

Lorain County has recently dropped from a “high” community transmission rate to a “substantial” rate. Given that – and the fact that the number of COVID-positive cases here at Kendal at Oberlin has dropped to near zero (or actually zero) each week for the last several weeks – we are comfortable making masks optional at this time in Independent Living public areas. Masks are now optional in the Heiser Community Center, dining rooms, library, auditorium and other IL public spaces.

Per CDC recommendations, however, masks are still required for all staff and visitors in the Stephens Care Center – as well as for those just passing through the Stephens Care Center.

We ask residents to determine for themselves their comfort level of whether they should wear masks or not in Independent Living public areas.

We’re grateful that residents have been very conscientious about reporting any signs, symptoms, or potential exposures to COVD – and it is vitally important that you continue to do so as we work together to keep our community COVID safe.

The AccuShield check-in process remains in place and is still required.

Health Services Forum, Wednesday at 4pm

Our first Health Services Forum for 2023 will be held tomorrow, Wednesday at 4pm in the Auditorium and on KOTV. The Health Services Forum will be held throughout the year on the first Wednesday of every even-numbered month.   Please send suggested topics to Stacy Terrell. We are working on presentations for suggested topics for later this year on Senior Digestive Health and Senior Eye Care. 

We have updated our topics for tomorrow’s presentation:

• Kendal Health Services Focus in 2023, strategic priorities
• Remote Patient Monitoring available through Ohio Living Home Health
• Independent Living Care Coordination program, for those needing support with appointment scheduling and communication between providers
• “Did You Know” series for the Health and Wellness Clinic
• “Lunch with Chrystn” program
• Questions and Answers with our Medical Director, Georgia Newman

Dining Update

Greg Zehe, Director of Hospitality Services & Assoc. Administrator

Valentine’s Day Brunch

Sunday, February 12, 2023. Just a friendly reminder: Reservations are required. Each residence (Cottage/Apartment) may have no more than 4 outside guests.

All guests must be vaccinated. Invited guests will be charged under your account as guests. The Fox & Fell and Langston will both be closed for evening dinner service. Please contact Lisa Wilken at 440-775-9801 or LWilken@kao.kendal.org

Other Announcements

STOP, LOOK, AND LISTEN

STOP, LOOK, and LISTEN is a program to help residents be comfortable and effective when communicating with fellow residents, family, and friends who live with cognitive changes. Sign- up sheets are located under open mailboxes. The next session is offered:

Wednesday, February 8, 2023

10:30am or 3:15pm 

Education Center Training Room

The Dementia Friendly Discussion Group

The Dementia Friend Discussion Group is interested in devices that are used to help people with dementia.  At the Dementia Action Alliance conference, there were presentations regarding how useful devices are for people living well with dementia. Here is a link to an article that explains some of these devices. (Shared by Carol Bojanowski.)

Fitness Center Update

NEW Fitness Center schedules start Monday, February 13.  Come grab one from the fitness center!

• SCC Chair class is moving to the Fitness/Relaxation room. This class is entirely seated and will now welcome Independent Living residents, too.
• Water Aerobics class with Sara – Sunday through Thursday from 8:30-9:15am. Come give it a try!
• One on One with Donna – Pool on Tuesdays between 9:30 and 10:30am
• One on One with Claire – Equipment room on Mondays from 3:00-4:30pm, and on Wednesdays from 9:00-10:00am.

Racial Justice Challenge

Coming April 17, 2023. The YWCA Racial Justice Challenge returns for its 5th year this spring! Previously known as the Stand Against Racism and 21-Day Racial Equity and Social Justice Challenges, we are excited to launch this year’s Challenge across the national YWCA network. Join this virtual learning community from April 17th – May 15th in a series of challenges designed to discover how racial justice and social injustice impact your communities, connect with one another, and identify ways to dismantle racism and other forms of discrimination.

2023 weekly topics include: disability, housing, mental health, and a special music topic in collaboration with the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. https://justice.ywca.org/challenge/

Another Phishing Scam

Today, a resident received a very convincing – but scam – email. The message subject line was “Here’s your invoice” and the message prompted the recipient to click on a button to “View and Pay Invoice”. Upon close inspection, the message was sent from “PayPa 1 LLC” – NOT the legitimate company, “PayPal”. Stay alert to ALL emails that prompt you to click a button – especially when you don’t recall having done any business with that “company” or if it is financial-related. In this case, the resident recognized the scam and did not click on the button. He just deleted it. That’s what you should do.

COVID News/ Statistics

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