All posts tagged: "Our Lady of Angels"
Home Posts Tagged "Our Lady of Angels"
COVID-19 Update 4-11
As of today, April 11th, OLA has no cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) within our community. We are continuing to practice both staff and resident social distancing protocol and safety measures. Residents are encouraged to wear cloth masks when moving about the building, as well as keep a proper distance when socializing.
Important reminder for families: As the weather improves, we are encouraging residents to get some fresh air, enjoy our patios and take a walk. For your loved ones’ ongoing safety, please schedule your visits only. You cannot talk to your loved one up close through their window or go with them for a walk outside. Unapproved visits put our community at high risk because they do not guarantee a safe distance. Also, we are still not accepting any food donations or drop-offs. This includes all foods, snacks and beverages, homemade or sealed from a store.
We understand that these are difficult times and appreciate your ongoing cooperation and support. Please help us keep our community well by following these guidelines. Our team is brainstorming some additional ideas for residents to connect with their loved ones, so check back soon. Lastly, we are still collecting personal protective equipment (PPE) and cleaning supply donations at our entrance. To view our list of what items will be accepted, please click here.
Temporarily apart, together at heart. God bless.
OLA General Line: 815-725-6631
OLA Coronavirus Update Hotline: 815-553-4100
Director of Nursing: 815-553-4128
Schedule Visits: volunteercoordinator@olaretirement.org
Connecting with Loved Ones During Social Distancing
In response to coronavirus (COVID-19), many senior living communities have been closed to the public in efforts to reduce the chances of residents catching the virus. This includes loved ones and friends of residents. Programs and activities that were put in place to reduce social isolation are now temporarily cancelled. While social distancing is challenging on residents and families, the response to combat separation is immense.
At Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home (OLA), residents’ mental health and wellbeing are taken into account along with their physical health. “We are doing one-on-one activities and therapy sessions with residents,” states Interim Administrator, Dane Moscatelli. Since residents are spending most of their time in their rooms, OLA encourages families to keep in touch via phone calls to loved ones, as well scheduled calls with the OLA Activity Coordinator at 815-553-0449. Tech savvy residents are also finding ways to reach out via text, FaceTime, Skype, email or social media.
A phone call does not have to be long to make an impact. Tell your loved one about your day, let the grandchildren say, “hello,” or recommend a funny show on television. Help your loved one feel in control of their current situation rather than restricted and isolated. Let them know you will call again, so they have a future plan to look forward to.
OLA is also integrating scheduled face-to-face visits through the window at OLA’s entrance. This gives loved ones the chance to see one another. Seeing a loved one face-to-face can go a long way in reassuring a person that everything is ok. To schedule a visit with a loved one or friend send an email to volunteercoordinator@olaretirement.org.
Social distancing does not mean residents must be socially isolated. This is a time when connection and community are essential.
For direct updates as OLA continues to monitor the situation, call 815-553-4100, let it go to voicemail and listen to all updates.
Enhance your quality of living with Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home, a resident-centered, caring community. To speak with OLA’s Admissions Director regarding what level of care is best for you or your loved one, call 815-725-6631.
Donations
Our OLA administration, staff, doctors, nurses, CNAs and residents would like to extend our sincere thank you to our wonderful OLA community and friends. Your donations, kind thoughts, supportive gestures and ongoing patience have been appreciated. We are continuing to care for our residents and monitor the day-to-day updates from the IDPH and CDC as this situation continues.
Looking ahead, we want to remain as prepared as possible for the likelihood of reduced supplies. We are asking you to help us ensure our supplies for cleaning and personal protective equipment (PPE) are sustained. If you can spare supplies, we have provided a list below of needed items. (Please note: We will not accept any food donations.)
- Clorox or Lysol wipes
- Clorox or Lysol disinfectant sprays
- Hand sanitizer/soap
- Temporal thermometers (No contact infrared thermometers)
- Ear thermometer probe covers
- Masks
- Medical gowns
- Medical gloves
- Cotton fabric
- Laundry detergent (Free & Gentle for sensitive skin if possible)
We have set up a donation sign located inside the first sliding door of our main entrance where items can be dropped off.
Prayers to all of you. God bless!
COVID-19 Update 3-26
We do not have any cases of the COVID-19 strain of Coronavirus in our building.
The Center for Medicare Services and Illinois Department of Public Health issued restrictions that are still in affect today. We are announcing these restrictions to residents as we receive them. We still are not allowing visitors other than necessary medical staff and employees of OLA.
Group gatherings are being held to less than 10 people. As for activities, prayer groups and other group gatherings, we are doing them on each unit to make sure residents are getting socialization. We are doing our best to keep resident engaged. We encourage families to call their loved ones and keep in touch. You can call and schedule a window visit or phone call with the Activity Coordinator at 815-553-0449.
If you need to drop off medication or a necessary product for a loved one, contact Mary Ann Piercy at 815-553-4108.
We will update you with more information as time goes on. Please call this number at 815-553-4128 to keep up to date on news we may have.
Thank you for your continued patience and prayers.
To read our previous coronavirus (COVID-19) statement, released 3-14, click here.
IMPORTANT: COVID-19 Update
March 14, 2020
Dear families and friends of OLA,
You have most likely heard from us already at the facility about our precautionary measures being taken regarding coronavirus (COVID-19). To confirm, we do not have any cases of the virus in our building, but we are taking measures to protect and keep our residents safe. If you have not heard already, we have closed the building to all visitors, volunteers, and church goers. We are also discouraging any residents from leaving the building unless it is for a medical emergency or necessary doctor’s appointment. We encourage families to call their loved ones and keep in touch. You can call and schedule this with the Activity Coordinator at 815-553-0449.
We understand that some families bring laundry, medications, or snacks to their loved ones. At this time, OLA will be doing all laundry. We will not accept any food or unnecessary items at the doors. If you need to drop off medication for a loved one, contact Mary Ann Piercy at 815-553-4108.
New restrictions as of March 14th were put in place in accordance with Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). These are that residents will eat in their rooms as well as group activities and group therapy sessions have been cancelled. We will be doing one-on-one activities and therapy sessions.
As we continue to monitor the situation, we will have more information to communicate to you whether by mail or phone. We have created a hot line that will have updates on it. Call 815-553-4100, let it go to voicemail and you can listen to the updates. We will update it whenever we have new information to share.
Thank you for your understanding and patience.
Providing Comfort: Therapy Dogs & Robotic Pets
Therapy dogs and emotional support animals are often recognized for their amazing abilities and positive effects on those they visit. For older adults, these health benefits can include, but are not limited to less stress, feelings of safety, love and companionship, better cognitive function, improved socialization and increased mobility from interaction. Dogs are often thought of when discussing service and emotional support animals, but other animals, even robotic animals, can provide companionship with identical results.
At Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home, pet therapy has become a very popular, well attended activity for residents. Residents are able to interact with the visiting dogs – pet them, play and give them treats. Smiles abound, comfort dogs never fail to delight. The dogs are attuned to the residents’ emotions and know just how to interact.
Pet therapy runs every Thursday at 10:30a.m. in OLA’s activity room. OLA is regularly visited by owners with their comfort dogs, as well as volunteers with local shelter dogs that work well with seniors.
Comfort therapy does not stop with just visiting pets. OLA also has a collection of small, life-like robotic dogs and cats that give residents companionship without the added responsibility of a real animal. These furry friends are hypo-allergenic so they can be loved by those with pet allergies. “Residents can ‘take home’ a pet for a few days and care for it,” states Activity & Volunteer Coordinator, Tiffany Williams. The dogs and cats have realistic fur and breathe just like a living animal. They come with a bed and small brush. Tiffany adds, “These pets are especially beneficial for seniors with dementia and Alzheimer’s. The pets are low-maintenance while helping to alleviate dementia symptoms such as agitation and depression.”
Enhance your quality of living with Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home, a resident-centered, caring community. Call and schedule a tour today. To speak directly with OLA’s Director of Admissions regarding what level of care is best for you or your loved one, call 815-725-6631.
January Activity Calendar Now Available
New year, new activities! Residents are really enjoying our regularly scheduled cooking class. This month we have a few new easy recipes such as banana pudding, cheeseballs, non-bake veggie dip and a return of the caramel apple (per resident request).
Residents looking to relax, meditate and challenge their flexibility can participate in a new, once a month Yoga class in OLA activity room. There will also be a Spa Day on the 31st.
A few more unique activities of interest this month include Designing your own Treasure Box, Winter Fest with Tim Wisley, and an Ice Cream Social.
Click Here to view the this month’s calendar.
Join Us on January 4th!
Join our OLA community on Saturday, January 4, 2020 at 4:00 P.M. for Mass for the Epiphany followed by a Wine & Cheese Reception in our OLA Chapel and A-1 Auditorium. All are welcome!
During the Mass for the Epiphany we will also be celebrating the memories of all dedications made by donors. You can view these dedications on our PEACE Tree located in the OLA lobby. The names of friends and loved ones can be found on the backs of all keepsake ornaments. At the conclusion of the mass, donors can collect their keepsake ornament from the lobby.
Guests can look forward to wine, cheese, music and good company at the Wine & Cheese Reception. Mingle with OLA residents, their families, OLA board members, staff and friends. We hope to see you there.
For more information about making and donation and dedicating an ornament in honor or in memory of a loved one, please click here.
For questions about this event please call 815-725-6631.
OLAGivingTuesday is Here!
#LetPeaceBeginWithMe this GivingTuesday!
GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world on December 3, 2019, and every day. Today, and throughout the month of December, you can directly support OLA by donating and dedicating an ornament in memory or in honor of your family, a friend or loved one on OLA’s PEACE Tree.
Click here to learn more.
December Activity Calendar Now Available
Ho Ho Hold up! December is here! We have an activity calendar jam-packed with activities this month for our residents to enjoy. Whether you enjoy holiday music, baking, arts and crafts or seasonal parties, we have a little something for everyone. Family members are welcome to accompany their loved ones to all activities as well! Below you will find a quick list of this month’s special Christmas activities.
To view this month’s full activity calendar, click here.
Dates to remember:
- 3rd 1:15 JCA Chime Choir
- 4th Hot Chocolate Bar
- 6th 1:30 Santa Hat (Spa Day) AR
- 13th Monthly Birthday Party with Karen
- 20th 1:30 Making Gingerbread house
- 27th 1:30 Paint & Sip
- 16th 2:00 2nd Floor Christmas Party with Roxanne
- 18th 2:00 2nd Floor Christmas Party with Ukulele Moonshiners
- 19th 2:00 Ring out Christmas OLA Chime Choir
- 24th Christmas Eve Party with Robinlee
- 24th Christmas Caroling
- 31 New Years Eve Party AR