Our Lady of Angels Rehabilitation Spotlight

By 19th August, 2019 OLA News Comments Off

Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home (OLA) offers rehabilitation services for seniors needing additional therapy to complete their recovery after an ailment or hospital stay.  Nancy White, recently completed her rehab at OLA and shares her story.

Nancy White

At 85, Nancy is sharp-minded, an avid gardener, singer, tech-savy, and very independent senior. After an unfortunate fall caused her to break her left fibula, Nancy ended up in the hospital. Rehabilitation was recommended for full recovery. “When I was nearing the end of my hospital stay, a doctor recommended OLA for therapy,” Nancy states. “They said the therapists at OLA were great and the food was good, so my daughter and I decided to further explore this rehabilitation option.”

OLA offers patients physical and occupational therapy 6-7 days a week (to speed your recovery)and speech therapy 3-5 days a week, tailored to the individual’s recovery plan. Nancy’s recovery included both physical and occupational therapy. “The therapists were wonderful and considerate. They encouraged me as I made progress. I’m now back to walking using my walker,” Nancy says with a smile.  Therapists work on patients’ mobility, strength and balance all while teaching safer practices to avoid reoccurring falls when returning home.

Patients can also take advantage of various amenities and life enrichment activities during their stay. Nancy comments, “I’ve attended all of Margaret Benoit’s sing-a-long music Mondays. I love singing!” OLA strives to ensure residents live at their highest level of comfort and security while enjoying each day.

Enhance your quality of living and continue your story with Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home, a resident-centered, caring community. OLA’s Rehabilitation and Skilled Care is prepared and equipped to meet all of your recovery needs. Call us today. To speak directly with OLA’s Admissions Coordinator regarding OLA’s rehabilitation services and amenities, call 815-725-6631 ext. 4113.

Respite Care Services

By 7th July, 2019 OLA News Comments Off

Caring for a loved one full time is a large responsibility. Being available to take care of that person 24/7 is not always possible. Whether going on vacation this summer, having an unavoidably busy weekend or just needing a mental and physical break, Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home (OLA) provides respite care services for seniors. Have peace of mind in knowing your loved one’s well-being is in the best of hands while you are away.

OLA works hand-in-hand with families. Based on patient needs, OLA will determine what level of care is needed during respite stay. There is no minimum or maximum number of days required, but commonly seniors will stay anywhere between 3-14 days. Should a longer respite stay be desired, a prescreening and 10 day processing time will need to be arranged through senior services. “We like to encourage families to include a few personal items when packing for OLA, to make their loved one feel more comfortable and secure throughout their stay,” states OLA Admissions Coordinator, Paula Hargis.  

Hargis also mentions, “Senior Services can help families help offset respite care costs through The National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP).”

While away, the family can call OLA’s Nurses Station to get frequent updates. If the family is in the area and would like to stop in, it is nice to take a break from the caregiver role and return to son, daughter, spouse etc. and simply enjoy themselves while visiting. Enhance your quality of living and enjoy Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home, a resident-centered community providing high-quality care and rehabilitation services for seniors. A welcoming community awaits perspective seniors and their families. Call and schedule a tour today. To speak directly with OLA’s Admissions Coordinator regarding respite care services, call 815-725-6631 ext. 4113.

OLA Survey – We Need Your Help

By 7th June, 2019 OLA Announcements, OLA News Comments Off

THIS SURVEY IS NOW CLOSED. THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING!

Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home is generating a vision and strategic plan for our senior living facility. You are an essential part of our process. Please take a moment to take a brief survey aimed at understanding OLA’s Strengths and Weaknesses, Staff, and Culture.

Thank you for participating! *Survey is anonymous.

Spreading Joy at OLA

By 28th May, 2019 OLA News Comments Off

Smiles, laughs and happy faces abound when Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home’s nurse, Leslie Brassard, walks into residents’ rooms. A newer addition to the OLA team, Leslie has worked at OLA for the past 5 months. While her job keeps her very busy, she finds joy in every minute of it.

Leslie Brassard and Jerry Armstrong

“I really enjoy working at OLA,” Leslie states with a warm smile. “We are a team and that’s what I love about the work environment. I’ve had previous hospital and nursing home work experiences and I’ve never been to a place that’s so team-oriented.” OLA always strives to improve their quality care, in part, through open communication, team-building and positive work experiences.

Leslie applies a person-centered, caring approach to each senior she monitors within her assigned C-1 wing. “They are such sweet people and I try to reassure them that they are in good hands,” Leslie explains. “Patients within this wing are mostly here for rehabilitation recovery stays. I am often working with them each day, helping them get to physical and occupational therapy, overseeing medication and health related issues and aiding them throughout their overall recovery process.”  

OLA’s rehabilitation wing is extremely busy with movement being critical to most every patient’s recovery plan. Patients are encouraged to be up and about, participate in their rehabilitation therapies and enjoy their downtime whether spending time with family, resting, attending activities and meal times or simply socializing with other rehabilitation patients.  

Continue your story with Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home. OLA is a resident-centered, retirement home community providing high-quality care and rehabilitation services for seniors. Join our team! We are currently looking for caring CNAs and RN/LPNs.

Apply online at olaretirement.org/employment or complete an application in person at 1201 Wyoming Avenue. Questions? Contact us at HR@olaretirement.org

Making an Impact at Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home

By 10th December, 2018 OLA News Comments Off

There are not many people at Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home who do not know the name, Bonita Kimbrough. A familiar face of OLA, Bonita, has touched the lives of many over her 20 years as a nurse. Inching towards part-time work and eventually retirement, Bonita happily shares her thoughts on her time at OLA.

A minister at her church, Bonita always had an interest in learning about other religions. “I felt that a religious organization would be a good fit for me,” states Bonita. “My interview went extremely well, and I was hired on the spot. The staffing was great and everyone went out of their way to introduce themselves and welcome me.”

Bonita with resident, Paul Nemenski

Bonita began her journey with OLA experiencing what she now reflects on as some of the most heartwarming, humorous, spiritual and profound moments. “There are just so many memories,” laughs Bonita. “I recall watching two sisters that hadn’t seen each other in a long time reunite. They hugged and hugged, started twirling in happiness and the next thing you know they tipped over on the floor. Their joy couldn’t be contained!”

Bonita continues, “There was another sweet woman who missed mass one morning. We tried to explain that the mass had concluded, but she insisted we take her to the Chapel anyway. Upon walking in the door, the woman stated, ‘Good morning, Jesus. They didn’t want me to come, but I just had to say good morning.’ And that was that…so heartwarming.”

At OLA, person-centered care is paramount. “You do the extra at OLA,” Bonita says with a smile. “I want OLA to remain the residents’ home and for them to feel comfortable here. I’ve always hoped to make an impact on their lives.”

When asked for her final thoughts, Bonita pauses, “It’s been such a joy working here and I am so attached to these people. They truly are my second family. I laugh with them. I pray with them. I take care of them. I’m even with some of them as they pass away. I would do this entire experience over in a heartbeat.”

Bonita has made an impact on the OLA community and will be dearly missed when she retires.

Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home, a resident-centered, retirement home community providing high-quality care and rehabilitation services for seniors. Join our team! Visit us at olaretirement.org/employment or call us at 815-725-6631 for more information.