Community Updates for Week of 6/13/2022

June 15, 2022

Update to Residents on 6/14/2022

Ohio Department of Health Survey

Last week we had a visit from the Ohio Department of Health for an unannounced Residential Care Facility (RCF) Annual Survey. The RCF is the Assisted Living portion of our Stephens Care Center (all rooms except Patterson 312-323). This was the first survey of our RCF since August 2019. Normally they are conducted every 9-15 months and always unannounced.

Overall, we did extremely well! We were found “deficiency-free” in:

• Health Services
• COVID Protocols and Practices
• Dining Services
• Housekeeping and Laundry
• Creative Arts Therapy
• Social Services
• Human Resources
• Administration

Our surveyor noted only one area of concern that is being addressed. This was related to evacuation Fire Drills conducted between 11 PM and 7 AM. This was a new interpretation that can be easily resolved through inviting any “night owl” residents to evacuate their room to a different portion of the SCC during a nighttime Fire Drill, and documenting staff scenario training that takes place at the time of the nighttime Fire Drills (i.e., how would we evacuate a resident with mobility challenges, or a resident that may be bed bound, etc.) All Fire Drills in the Stephens Care Center between 9 PM and 6 AM are “silent” drills.

We are still expecting the Ohio Department of Health to arrive at any time to conduct the annual survey of our Skilled Nursing Facility (Patterson 312-323). This will also include a Life Safety Inspection of the entire Stephens Care Center. It has been 34 months since our last survey of this portion of the Stephens Care Center.

A BIG SHOUT OUT WITH GOLD STARS to everyone for a successful survey! Remember, this was a review of the past 34 months in the midst of a pandemic. Everyone at Kendal, in all departments, is to be congratulated! Thank you to all staff for all the extra effort made by many last week for the survey (attention to hundreds of details). More importantly, thank you to all staff for what you do every day on behalf of our residents to ensure excellence in health care in an atmosphere that promotes dignity and respect.

It takes a village — please give each other an expression of gratitude for a job well done!

Fitness Center Health Talk & Survey Results

On Wednesday, June 15, at 7:15 pm in the Heiser Auditorium, Jill Tvaroha will share the results of the recent fitness survey, July schedule changes, and volunteer appreciation. While you are there, come meet Donna Boucher, our new fitness Instructor!

World Café Opportunity focusing on “Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging” – June 28

If you are interested in helping Kendal at Oberlin advance “DEIB” efforts here on campus and in the larger community, I hope you will sign up for our World Café session to be held in the Heiser Auditorium on June 28 from 10:30am -12:30pm. During this time, you will have an opportunity to learn more about Kendal’s specific Diversity Equity Inclusion goal that was approved as part of the new 5-Year Strategic Plan, and how The Kendal Corporation’s work in this area is supporting all Kendal affiliates. With us from Kendal Corp will be Howard Braxton, Director of Sales & Marketing, and Diane Massey, Director of Community Engagement. Their work group has provided resources to help every Kendal advance DEIB efforts. By year end, there will be a dedicated position at the corporate level related to DEIB initiatives.

If you plan to attend, expect to be both a listener and a contributor. Come prepared by reviewing materials that will be given to you ahead of time. Participants will be at tables with other residents and staff for conversation on the type of initiatives engaging our community together and outside of Kendal in Lorain County. Come-Learn-Share-Act. While a limit is not expected to be needed, participation at tables will cap us at about 40. There will be future opportunities to become involved in this work if you are not able to sign up for June 28.

Prepare for August Primary Election

There will be an August 2, 2022, Primary to elect Members of State Central Committees, State Senators, State Representatives for both the Democratic and Republican Party. You must register to vote or update your voter registration by the July 5, 2022, deadline in order to vote in the August 2 primary. If you will be voting early or will not be voting at the polls on August 2, 2022, make sure you fill out an absentee ballot request form so you receive your ballot in time to vote early or by mail. The Board of Elections will mail absentee ballots sometime after July 6. Voter Registration and Absentee Ballot Request Forms are available in the Kendal Library on the center info table. You can obtain more information and download forms at the Lorain County Board of Elections website https://www.voteloraincountyohio.gov/  BIG NEWS: Kendal at Oberlin will be an official Voting Station for this election (you can vote here.) If you have questions, contact Ann Francis or Mary Van Nortwick. Sample ballots will be posted in July on the Library Bulletin Board.

There’s a new Resident Absence Form (a.k.a. the “Away Form”)

At the suggestion of several residents and staff, the “Away Form” has been updated and improved. Please use the new version of the form which is available at the Front Desk or on the KORA website. If you happen to have copies of the old form, please recycle them. 

Dining Update

Greg Zehe, Director of Hospitality Services & Assoc. Administrator

Wednesday, June 15, is an Extreme Weather Day

The National Weather Service has declared tomorrow as a “Heat Advisory” day due to the record-setting hot temperature (96 degrees) that is predicted. Hyperthermia can affect older adults with dehydration, heat stroke, heat exhaustion, and heat syncope. Schedule any outdoor activities for very early in the morning and well into the evening when the temperature drops a bit. If the weather is too hot for you to venture outdoors tomorrow to get your meals, please call 775-9801 before 9 am to request a lunch meal delivery and before 3 pm to request a dinner meal delivery. Please drink plenty of water and avoid caffeinated beverages and alcohol as these contribute to becoming dehydrated. Be safe and stay cool tomorrow and every hot day this season.

Father’s Day Meal Service

We are finding that very few residents have signed up for the Community Solos table. If you haven’t completed your reservation or want to modify to the Community Solos table, there is still a little time. The invitations have been distributed and we would like to have them back by tomorrow, Wednesday, June 15.

Langston Reopening Update

At the Coffee Hour last week, I shared our plan to reopen Langston and promised to share details as they become clearer. One thing for certain is that it will be reflective of the feedback and desires of our current residents. We are challenging ourselves to avoid the trap of “this is how we always do it.” Here are a couple of important thoughts shared at the Coffee Hour.

• Our goal is for this to happen in weeks, not months.
• We will be serving breakfast and lunch in the Langston and dinner in the Fox & Fell.
• Staff will be welcome to purchase carryout at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It will still be some time until staff and residents can dine together.
• The level of equipment noise in the Langston was always a problem and our goal is to open without the soda fountain and grab & go cooler. Drinks and grab & go items will still be available but differently.

May Inflation Report

This update was supplied by Sarah Moore, Director of Procurement and Special Projects at Kendal Corp. Sarah shared an inflation update received from our main group purchasing vendor. The combination of high fuel costs, inflation and supply chain woes continue to drive food prices. Here is a summary of the report.

• CPI-U is up 8.26% and PPI is up 14.51% for April; this is the largest CPI-U increase since 1981.  
• Food commodities demand continues to outpace supply in proteins, produce, bakery (wheat yield) and dairy (feed costs.)
• Labor continues to stress production at manufacturers. There is continued pressure on the worker’s pipeline in the food and leisure sector.
• Most major food management categories are seeing moderate to high inflation influenced by resin, paper, labor and freight.
• The Russia-Ukraine crisis is expected to continue to impact grains, corn, energy availability and prices. The conflict will cut Ukraine’s economy by 45% and will cut off ~90% of the country’s key grains exports, according to the World Bank.

Housekeeping/Laundry Update

Due to the Extreme Heat Predicted for Wednesday, June 15, All Independent Living Cottage Housekeeping is cancelled for tomorrow, (This will not affect any apartment cleaning.) Crystal Hall will be in touch with everyone to reschedule. Staff are being given the option to use benefit time or work Saturday to make up the cleaning. If you would like to skip housekeeping services for this week and eliminate a make-up clean, please reach out to Crystal at  cyhall@kao.kendal.org or 440-775-9199. The Housekeeping Team thanks you for your understanding.

Window Cleaning Details Again

More information will be shared in an upcoming memo but if you have any questions at this time, please contact Crystal Hall at cyhall@kao.kendal.org or by phone: 440-775-9199.

• Cottages: Cottage window cleaning has been scheduled for June 22^nd – June 25^th
• This year, we can offer you the opportunity to have your inside windows cleaned. This option will require your approval so a housekeeping staff member and staff member from the window cleaning service can enter your cottage. Please be assured that each staff member of the window cleaning crew will be screened daily and masked and will be accompanied by a housekeeping staff member.
• Window cleaning schedule and details: Phase I, (188-199) June 22. Phase II, (212-223) June 23. Phase III, (200-211) June 24. 

Laundry News

As promised, we have the date for the next laundry tour, Thursday, June 23. Past participants have reported that it was very interesting and worthwhile! A sign-up sheet has been placed by the mailboxes at the Front Desk.

Facility Services Update

Parking Lots 1 & 2 Garage Project has started

Homeworks General Contractors will be performing the work. All residents parking in these two lots have received temporary parking assignments which went into effect Sunday; their reserved spaces are in the Pool Parking Lot and in Lots 3, 14, and 15. Pool visitors may park along the driveway into the pool if necessary. One parking spot for visitors will remain in each lot. The work is expected to last four months. We appreciate your patience. If you have any questions, contact Dagney Engler at dengler@kao.kendal.org or (440)-775-9837.

Apartment Building Heating System (and Hammering Noise) Update

With the warmer temperatures predicted for the next few weeks, Facility Services has shut down the boiler system in the Apartment Building in preparation for replacement of the new expansion tank. This work is scheduled to be performed the week of June 27. Residents who will be affected will get a special notice in advance. If you have any questions, please call Rey Carrion or Ryan Stalzkowski in Facility Services.

Dark Sky Project

Dark Sky Project will resume next week. The bollards’ delivery delayed by several months are now here.

Heiser Main Entrance Landscaping

Installation was in fall of 2021. Morton’s will be out this month to overseed lawn areas and replace plants that have not made it over winter. Rachel Duncan developed this list for Morton’s in spring. Morton’s was on campus last week reviewing such things as our irrigation.

New Fire Lane Installation at South End of Apartment Building

MAD Scientists have confirmed our project is small enough that we do not need permits. This was determined after a delineation was submitted to the Army Corps of Engineers at the end of the year. FS staff will now proceed with contractors to get a final estimate and a project start date.

Lot 7 Garage Landscaping

Ryan has communicated with residents that live in this area and who are on the Master Landscape Plan Steering Committee that this work is scheduled to begin June 27, weather permitting. This work will be performed by Brian Kyles Landscaping.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

Special Thank You from Jerry Berner

I really appreciated the many thoughtful messages you sent to me on the passing of my dear wife, Jeanne.

U.S. Postal Service Announces Price Changes

Starting July 10, 2022, the price of stamps will increase 2 cents to 60¢ (up from $0.58.) That’s not all. Proposed mailing service changes include:

Now Enrolling: Intuition: A Brain Health Study

Online (Shared by Tom Morgan): Biogen researchers invite you to participate in Intuition: A Brain Health Study, a virtual research study sponsored by Biogen in collaboration with Apple. By joining you can help researchers investigate the role an Apple Watch and iPhone could play in: (a) Measuring changes in thinking and memory in adults; (b) Studying longer-term changes in brain health – some of which may occur normally as we age, while others could be an early indicator of certain forms of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease.

Participation in the study will last up to 2 years. The study is entirely virtual and has been designed to fit in alongside your daily activities. On average, researchers are asking you to contribute just over an hour a month. You can earn the ability to keep the Apple Watch, and up to an additional $260 in gift cards or charitable donations, in the process.

            Biogen researchers are looking for people who: Are 60 to 86 years of age. Have and use an iPhone 8 (released in fall 2017) or later. Have access to the internet. Have an active email address. Have a compatible computer (Mac or Windows) or iPad. Live in the United States. Are willing to wear an Apple Watch (which will be provided to you) on a daily basis. For a full description of the program please visit this website.
 

COVID NEWS / STATISTICS

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

“Rather Downbeat News about New Boosters in Development” (submitted by Sharon Furrow)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/06/06/nation/omicron-booster-shots-are-taking-longer-than-expected-will-wait-be-worth-it/.

Moderna’s progress in developing a vaccine that is 8 times more effective

Against the Omicron variants than their original COVID-19 vaccine. (Source: Moderna news release, June 8, 2022.) – Results of a trial looking at a combination COVID-19 vaccine booster reveal a “robust antibody response” against the Omicron variant, vaccine manufacturer Moderna announced Wednesday.

The neutralizing antibody response was eight times greater at 1 month following a 50-mcg dose with the booster containing both the original mRNA-1273 vaccine and a new vaccine in development that specifically targets the Omicron variant

These results offer promise of greater protection against Omicron following earlier reports that showed that existing COVID-19 vaccines were not as effective against the Omicron variant. Safety and tolerability of the new vaccine was consistent with a prior booster dose of the original vaccine, the company reported.

“We anticipate more durable protection against variants of concern with mRNA-1273.214, making it our lead candidate for a Fall 2022 booster,” Stephane Bancel, chief executive officer at Moderna, said in a company news release. “We are submitting our preliminary data and analysis to regulators with the hope that the Omicron-containing bivalent booster will be available in the late summer.”