Community Update for week of 4/17/2023

April 18, 2023

Update to residents on 4/18/2023

“Kendal Family News”

We’ve been part of the Kendal family for more than 30 years if you consider we were under development with The Kendal Corporation since 1987 and opened in 1993. The family has grown a lot since then and when there is news about the family, it moves faster than ever by phone, email, web pages and more. We received news yesterday mid-morning from Kendal-Crosslands Communities, the first Kendal, that they plan to disaffiliate from The Kendal Corporation. There is no question that the first and largest Kendal (900 residents) has made a substantial contribution to our System.  It is disappointing to know they want to separate, but they have a different history and circumstance than any other affiliate that dates back 50 years. To work out the transition will take significant planning and an estimated 6-9 months. As we work through completing an updated Affiliation Agreement, there is no doubt this will add complications for the remaining affiliates but within our capabilities and Values.

How does this impact Kendal at Oberlin?  Kendal remains under a system of shared services that we value immensely. There are not only contracted arrangements that we could not do alone, but also peer relationships that are important in advancing our professional services better than we could do alone. The mantra of “Together, transforming the experience of aging” is something we take seriously with our Kendal partners. I can assure you Kendal at Oberlin would not be in the strong position we are without being a part of the Kendal System of affiliated communities. No doubt there will be more to learn and figure out going forward. Our Board and I will continue to work through the details on our Affiliation Agreement components and report accordingly in the months ahead. I will do my best to provide updates to our community of Residents, Staff and Board as they become available.    

A message from The Kendal Corporation arrived late Monday afternoon regarding the Kendal-Crosslands separation: 

Today, and as you may already know, we were formally made aware of Kendal-Crosslands Communities’ intention to exit the Kendal System over the next six to nine months. As we begin discussions with the KCC team to ensure a smooth and responsible transition for everyone who lives and works there, it is important to remind ourselves that the Kendal System is much more than any one affiliate community.

The Kendal System is strong, and we remain focused on supporting everyone in the System, pursuing new and vigorous opportunities that contribute to our collective growth, and further transforming the experience of aging for everyone we serve.

As we continue to navigate this news together, we will be sure to keep you informed. While we are still working to define the next steps, our team stands ready to address your questions or concerns, as best we can.

The Kendal Corporation Leadership Team

I will remain in communication should there be more to share in the days ahead. – Barbara Thomas, CEO

Frontier Communications Phones

This past weekend, Frontier Communications experienced a phone outage on campus. Frontier was on campus yesterday morning to replace the faulty equipment.  Kendal at Oberlin has continued to reach out in advocacy to Frontier and the City of Oberlin with our frustration with the service provided by Frontier Communications. Many residents are exploring other options for their home telecommunication service, including home options through their mobile phone carriers.

As a reminder, if you have further trouble with your Frontier Communications Phone Line:

• Call Frontier Communications at 1-800-921-8104 or 1-800-921-8106 and follow the prompts to report the outage on the SCC resident’s phone line.
• Visit https://frontier.com/login enter the email and password associated with the SCC resident’s account to access the account and submit a help desk ticket.
• SCC Residents- Please reach out to Michele Tarsitano-Amato at mtars@kao.kendal.org if you need help with either of the above tasks.

Kendal is also creating a master list of residents that have a Frontier Communications telephone line. If you have a Frontier phone line, please take a moment and complete this Frontier Usage Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Frontier0423

COVID Booster Clinic being explored

With the news that FDA and CDC officials are likely to approve a second Omicron booster for people at high risk from COVID (see The Washington Post link further down), Kendal is exploring options for offering a COVID booster clinic on campus, including partnering with Lorain County Public Health. Stay tuned for more info. Meanwhile, if you are able to get a COVID bivalent booster vaccine from your provider, please do so and be sure to share a copy of your COVID Vaccine Card with the Health and Wellness Clinic so that we can (again!) update our records.

The Lorain County COVID Positivity rate is 6.9%, the lowest it has been since a year ago, April 26, 2022.

“We Care Connect” Surveys – Your VOICE Counts!

This is just a friendly reminder that both residents and staff will receive a Kendal satisfaction survey every 6 months. The timing depends on the anniversary of moving to Kendal, or the date you started your job. You will receive a second survey for the year, approximately 6 months later. WCC communications come in several forms:

• Text and Email –Surveys are sent first by text (phone) and email, no paper surveys.
• Phone Survey – if text or email was not responded to, We Care Connect makes a courtesy call by a live person who will conduct the survey by phone.
• If they can’t reach you in-person by phone, they will leave you a message with a CODE to use when you call them back. Once your identity has been confirmed with the code, they will read you the survey and note your responses.

Kendal Resident participation (completing at least one survey) has been good at 94% for residents and 92% for staff. All of these efforts are part of our efforts to assure ongoing improvement. Help Kendal be the best community it can be to live or work – by completing these surveys! Thank you!

Center for Sustainability Open House

The City of Oberlin’s Center for Sustainability will be having an Open House on Thursday, April 20 from 12PM-4PM at their new location inside the old Prospect School (36 South Prospect Street, Oberlin, OH.) Citizens are encouraged to attend. Stop by anytime! Meet Sustainability Coordinator, Linda Arbogast. Learn about the Residential Food Waste Composting Program, the new features of the Environmental Dashboard, and much more. Light refreshments provided. Questions? Contact Linda Arbogast: 440-775-7257 or LArbogast@CityofOberlin.com

Kendal at Oberlin Racial Equity Forum: Renee Romano

Speaking about “Whistling Dixie and Whitewashing Blackface.” Renee Romano, Oberlin professor of History, Africana Studies, and Comparative American Studies, will explore the history of Daniel Decatur Emmett, a blackface minstrel performer of the 1840s and 1850s, best known as the composer of “Dixie.” She will weave in the experience of her multiracial family living in Emmett’s hometown, where he is heralded as an important part of local history. Monday, April 24 at 7:15 PM in Heiser Auditorium and KOTV. Part of the theme “Examining racism in America to forge a more equitable future.”

Afternoon Exchange

Next week on Wednesday, April 26, at 4 pm in the Auditorium and on KOTV.

Legacy Circle of Friends Appreciation Event and Tree Dedication

On Friday, April 28, we will say a special thank you to members of the Kendal at Oberlin Legacy Circle of Friends. These are members of our community who have made a planned gift to Kendal at Oberlin—charitable trusts, charitable gift annuities, bequests, or naming Kendal in their will—or who have achieved a certain level of lifetime giving. Legacy Circle members are invited for a special gathering in Heiser Auditorium at 2 pm.

The second part is open to everyone: a Special Tree Dedication Ceremony at 2:45 pm. For those who would like to attend the tree ceremony, please meet in the glass window corridor between Heiser and the apartments. Any questions? Contact Tom Konkoly.

“Scam Me If You Can”

As mentioned at last week’s Coffee Hour, there are several copies of this book available in the Kendal Library. Scammers are proliferating and often target older adults. This book is educational and eye-opening. Highly recommended by Barbara Thomas.

Dining Update

Greg Zehe, Director of Hospitality Services & Assoc. Administrator

Did you know? Many entrées have a plain version available

Simply ask one of us to help!

We do make a plain version of many of our entrées. If an item is a solid protein, there is likely a plain version available. We are also happy to serve the sauce on the side or leave it off entirely. Usually, any entrée that is served breaded is available plain. In fact, any ingredient that is not cooked with the dish can be left off. If you have questions about a dish, please don’t hesitate to ask. We will do our best to accommodate your preferences.

Other Announcements

Kendal Hats are In!

If you pre-ordered a KaO hat (green baseball-cap style), they have arrived. Please stop by the Front Desk to pick yours up (starting tomorrow.) The Receptionists will verify that you ordered one; your Kendal account will be billed for $10; and you’ll look great! We look forward to seeing those hats around town!

Fitness Center news

It’s all about the water this week in the Fitness Center! If you are interested in learning more about the pool and the benefits of water exercise, come to the auditorium at 7:15 pm this Thursday, April 20. Jill Tvaroha, Wellness Coordinator, will be giving a talk on the health benefits of swimming and water exercise.

Also… for fun and fitness, try Sara Millman’s Water Aerobics class, meeting Sunday through Thursday at 8:30 am. Drop ins welcome! Newcomers to Kendal, come and give this resident run class a try!

If that’s a little too early for you, come to Shallow Aquafit on Wednesdays, from 4:15-5:00 pm.

Pardon the Noise!

Thursday, April 20, Busy Bee Tree Services will be on campus using an air spade to aerate the Heiser lawn where there has been standing water issues. The equipment is essentially a very large air compressor and will be loud while in operation. The work is expected to last only a couple of hours, starting at about 10 or 11 am.

Fertilizer and Herbicides on Lawn Areas

The Grounds Crew is treating lawn areas around campus with fertilizer and herbicides. If you wish not to have herbicides applied to your immediate lawn areas or river stone borders, please fill out, sign, and return the appropriate form that can be obtained from FS — by Monday April 24, 2023. Note that if you decline herbicide application for lawn or river stone borders, you are responsible to maintain the weeds in these areas. For further info, contact Dan Baker, Grounds Manager: 775-9849 or drbaker@kao.kendal.org

Tick-borne Diseases

There have been warnings in previous Kendal messages about the risk of tick-borne Lyme disease, but this article shows how rapidly the disease – as well as other tick-borne diseases – is spreading in Ohio. As the weather warms, be mindful of how you dress when you are out walking in nature. Pet-owners are also reminded to check your pets regularly. (Shared by John Elder)

https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/healthcare/2023/04/12/lyme-diseases-skyrockets-in-ohio-heres-what-everyone-needs-to-know/70079723007/

COVID NEWS / STATISTICS:

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

FDA okays second omicron booster for people at high risk from covid – The Washington Post

(Shared by Sharon Furrow.) The Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday cleared the way for people who are at least 65 years old or immune-compromised to receive a second updated booster shot against the coronavirus, an option designed to bolster protection for the most vulnerable Americans even as the pandemic recedes.

…People who are eligible for the extra boosters might be able to get them as soon as this week. Vaccine advisers to the CDC are scheduled to meet Wednesday to discuss the second booster, and CDC Director Rochelle Walensky is expected to sign off quickly.