All posts tagged: "senior living community"
Home Posts Tagged "senior living community"
Updated Covid Building Protocol 8/7
Active as of 8/6, OLA indoor visiting is now open without needing to make a reservation. You still need to check in at the Front Desk, get temped and complete the Covid questionnaire. You will need to wear a face mask when you are in the facility. At this time, only residents are allowed in common resident areas like the chapel. We will have notes up in areas where only residents are allowed. Visits are restricted to resident rooms and family visit salons. Family members are limited to 2 in a resident room and 4 in the salons.
The OLA lobby is open until 8 pm every night. Our patio access doors are also open when the lobby is open. After 8 p.m. there is a doorbell that you can use to alert staff that you are here. Another reminder for visits – for the safety and privacy of our residents, Nurses’ stations and medication carts are considered restricted. Please use the call light in your resident’s room if you need to discuss clinical information with the nurse. They will come to you. We thank everybody for your cooperation in keeping our residents safe.
Covid Update 8/6
Dear OLA residents, staff and families,
We received the results from our most recent staff COVID testing and are pleased to report zero positives! We are thankful for all of your hard work, dedication and prayers. We thank you for your support in our efforts to keep the OLA Community as safe as possible!
Covid Update 6/19
Dear OLA residents, staff and families,
We received the results from our most recent COVID testing and would love to report zero positives! We are thankful for all of your hard work, dedication and prayers. We thank you for your support in our efforts to keep the OLA Community as safe as possible!
Food for the Soul
During the month of October, specifically the week of October 6th – 12th, Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home recognizes and shows appreciation to our food and dietary service team for Healthcare Food Service Week. Food preparation is paramount in a senior living community requiring 3 daily meals for residents with various dietary needs in 4 different dining halls and ongoing events or catering needs. Sue Iverson, head of OLA’s Dietary Department, describes how she and her team meet these needs while keeping the residents’ dining experiences top notch.
Back – Shawn Bale, Angel Burich, Jerry Patao Front – Sr. Ellen Thomas, Sr. Helen Zulka, Sr. Bernie Campbell
“OLA’s dining halls are open 365 days a year, 7 days a week and serve mostly the same residents 3 times a day for breakfast, lunch and dinner” states Sue. “Our largest meal of the day is lunch so residents don’t sleep on a heavy meal. There are always two entrees to choose from at both lunch and dinner and our Independent and Assisted Living dining hall has buffet style dining with a hot food buffet, salad bar, and various jellos, fresh fruits and drinks.” Sue manages her team, food orders, menu preparation, event catering lists and ongoing day-to-day needs.
Most of OLA’s foods are made from scratch. “It’s homemade, good quality food because this is their home,” Sue mentions with a smile. From homemade cakes to traditional meat and potato meals, each is fresh and prepared with care.
Residents dining selections are built around their needs and dietary restrictions. Food selections range from regular menus to mechanical soft, pureed or thickened liquids. Dietary restrictions are also noted such as no added salt, no concentrated sweets, and low cholesterol-cardiac.
Holidays and special events add a special twist for residents’ dining experiences. Families can join their loved one(s) for the day and eat a traditional holiday meal. “Residents also love ‘Fun Friday’ once a month which includes a cheeseburger with fries and optional root beer float,” Sue remarks.
“My team and I really enjoy working with the residents and getting feedback from them about the meals we prepare. We are like a large family. I tell my team to be proud of the food we serve.”
Enhance your quality of living and continue your story with Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home, a resident-centered, caring community. Call us today. To speak directly with OLA’s Admissions Coordinator regarding OLA’s levels of care, services and amenities, call 815-725-6631 ext. 4113.
October Activity Calendar Now Available
Cool, crisp air, apple cider, pumpkins and fall activities are here! OLA seniors can look forward to regularly scheduled activities along with a Fall Social, Skee Ball, Paint and Sip (Mimosas), Oktoberfest, Trick or Treating and more.
Click HERE to view OLA’s October Activity calendar.
Our Lady of Angels Rehabilitation Spotlight
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.
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
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
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.
OLA Makes National Nursing Home Quality Care Honor Roll List – Top 10% Nationally
Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home is pleased to report that OLA continues to be on the National Nursing Home Quality Care Honor Roll List. The only Joliet facility with this honor, the National Nursing Home Quality Care Honor Roll recognizes “performances on the long-stay quality measures on Nursing Home Compare, which has aligned with the top 10% of nursing homes in the United States.”
OLA strives to ensure residents feel safe and comfortable in our compassionate, joyful environment. Thank you to our OLA team for your dedication, hard work and person-centered care.
