Community Update for week of 6/26/2023

June 28, 2023

Update to residents on 6/27/2023

July Health Services Forum on July 5

Our next Health Services Forum will be held next week on Wednesday, July 5 at 4pm in the Auditorium and via KOTV. Topics will include:

• Pain Management
• Maximizing the Kendal Health and Wellness Clinic Benefit
• Managing Medical Expenses Through Home Health
• Q and A with Georgia Newman, MD, Medical Director

Survey coming soon about lessons learned from COVID Pandemic

Watch your email (or mail) for a survey coming out in the next week or so, to gain your input about some of the lessons learned during the COVID Pandemic. The hope is to inform future response in case of another pandemic or similar situation.

Employee Appreciation Week at Kendal at Oberlin

Employee Appreciation Week kicked off yesterday on 6/26. There is still time for residents to “shout out” and write positive comments/words of appreciation to Kendal Employees throughout the week on either of the two bulletin boards. The bulletin boards can be found outside the Langston and near the Stephens Care Center desk.

Kendal at Oberlin Earns Recognition in Inaugural Long-Term Care Equality Index (LEI):

Kendal at Oberlin is pleased to announce its designation as a “LGBTQ+ Long-Term Care Equality High Performer” in the Human Rights Campaign Foundation and SAGE’s Long-Term Care Equality Index (LEI). The LEI is the nation’s foremost benchmarking survey of residential long-term care and senior housing communities on policies and practices dedicated to the equitable treatment and inclusion of their LGBTQ+ residents, visitors, and employees.

Many Kendal at Oberlin staff and residents worked towards completing the survey, led by Michele Tarsitano-Amado, Director of Creative Arts Therapy and Dementia Specialist. Michele says “As a founding staff member of Kendal at Oberlin, I am proud that we have achieved a high performer rating with LEI. This rating reflects our values of equality and respect for all individuals.” Read the full article here.

Rey Carrion, Director of Facility Services, honored by Community Foundation

The biennial Jim Doughman Community Service Award was presented last week to Rey Carrion, who has made outstanding contributions to the community through his involvement in various organizations and grassroots initiatives. The award recognizes Rey’s commitment to making Lorain County a better place, and a $1,000 grant will be made in his name to a non-profit endowment fund of his choice. Congratulations, Rey! 

Kendal resident Randy Wagner was also recognized as he (and Rey) completed their terms of service on the board of the Community Foundation. See the full article here.

KaO LGBTQ+ Pride Update

Thank you Kendal residents, staff, guests for supporting, volunteering, and participating in the KaO at 30 Community Pride Activities. It has been an exciting month. We have had a wonderful talk on Gender and Sexualities here at Kendal, lots of donations for Colors+ Youth Center raffle and security, Safe Zone training, Entertainment, and Drag Shows, time together and a Kendal outreach table at Tappan Square celebrating with family, friends, and community groups.

To end KaO Pride 2023 there will be a Pride Advocacy Table set up in Heiser Lobby this week on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Stop by to pick up a handout about current legislation that will affect LGBTQ+ people and sign a Letter of Concern to Ohio Legislators. 

Happy Pride to All with Much Appreciation! For questions and to connect with the LGBTQ+ & Allies Interest Group contact Jesse Carlock or Ann Francis.

Other Announcements

Responding to The Rescue of John Price: A Conversation with Caroline Jackson-Smith

Associate Director and Dramaturg Caroline Jackson-Smith will be here for a follow-up discussion to last week’s play. Audience feedback will be greatly valued! Please join us tomorrow, Wednesday, June 28, at 4 pm in Heiser Auditorium.  Questions? Ask Phyllis Gorfain.

Encore presentation of A.G. Miller’s “Discovering My Ancestors Battle for Freedom”

Broadcast on KOTV on Thursday, June 29 at 7:15 pm. Part of the Kendal at Oberlin Racial Equity Forum series.

Happy Fourth of July next Tuesday

The Special Events Committee encourages everyone to enjoy Robert Taylor’s exceptional patriotic program in Heiser Auditorium, share a picnic lunch buffet with other residents, watch our Precision Lawn Chair Drill Team in action, and take part in other activities on Tuesday, July 4. We hope to offer opportunities for a trike-a-thon fun ride, kite flying, model sail- and power-boat racing on Triangle Pond, Hoot and Holler RR watching, ice cream eating, and other fun. Come dressed for this festive occasion!

CandooTech lesson about “Windows 10 Basics”

The next Candoo Tech group lesson will be next week on Wednesday, July 5 from 1:00-2:00 pm. Once again, for those residents who would like to meet for the lesson, come to the Education Center Training Room.  You can also join the Zoom meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88640164622 Meeting ID: 886 4016 462. Any questions, please contact Don Mulica (440-775-9875) or Judy Miller (440-776-5011).
Make A Plan to Vote in Special Election on August 8

There will be one issue on the ballot and your voice is very important. Issue 1 if passed would require a 60% majority to approve constitutional amendments. This is often referred to as a supermajority requirement.

There are three ways to vote: 

1) Absentee Ballot – send asap, request forms are at the Front Desk.

2) In Person at Board of Elections after July 11.

3) At Kendal on August 8.

Here is a link with details of Issue 1 from Ballotpedia, a nonpartisan group:

If you have questions, please contact Ann Francis, Sandi McClennen, Mary Van Nortwick

 Health News/ Statistics