Residences Senior Living offers vaccine clinics, essential caregiver programs

Residences at Deer Creek in Schererville and Residences at Coffee Creek in Chesterton have partnered with Walgreens to provide residents, staff and essential caregivers priority access to the COVID-19 vaccines from Moderna.

“We’ve received our second vaccine doses, we’re doing fine, and we now have a program in place for new residents and staff to access the vaccine on-site moving forward.  Vaccines are our platform for the most exciting first step in our community’s journey back to regaining normalcy,” said Karen Ayersman, executive director, Residences at Deer Creek.

The next step is the recent implementation of the new essential caregiver program (ECP).  Kaitlynn Redmon, executive director, Residences at Coffee Creek, explained, “The vaccines made it possible to put this new plan in place. The ECP allows each resident a designated friend or family member access to more frequent visits. This is such a relief for everyone in our communities!”

“The program is conducted within state guidelines and is a narrowly defined exception to visitor restrictions. An essential caregiver must be age 18 or older who, prior to visitor restrictions, was regularly engaged with a resident to provide companionship and/or assist with activities,” stated Ayersman. “Our goal with this program is to help our residents connect regularly with their loved ones.  There are multiple dimensions to wellness, one of which is socialization.  This new program will help reintroduce this key wellness dimension safely back into our residents’ lives which changed drastically overnight last spring with state mandated pandemic visitation restrictions.

Kaitlynn Redmon agreed, saying, “Everyone is so thrilled to learn there will be more frequent interaction.”  She also emphasized that all necessary preventative protocols must still be met for all visitors.

For more information, visit www.ResidencesSeniorLiving.com or call 219-921-5200.

All opinions, conclusions and recommendations expressed are those of the author and do not reflect the views of The Chronicle. Natalie Reisen works as marketing coordinator for Residences at Coffee Creek in Chesterton. In addition, she is a certified dementia practitioner.  For more information, contact her at 219-921-5200 or email nreisen@residencesatcoffeecreek.com.

PULLOUT:

Aromatherapy:  What are essential oils?

Do they really work? 

If you’ve been wondering about essential oils, which ones have what effect, and how to use them safely, then register today for this live webinar via Zoom from Residences at Coffee Creek on Wednesday, March 24, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Kate Schlobohm is a reiki master as well as yoga and meditation Instructor.  Her presentation will help you understand the essential oils, how they are made, health benefits and how they affect your body/mood, and practical applications for personal care and household products.

All attendees will be added into a raffle drawing to win a large essential oils gift basket.  For more information and to register online visit the website ResidencesSeniorLiving.com/events or call Residences at Coffee Creek at 219-921-5200.

Know how to use essential Oils

What Are Essential Oils?

They’re made from parts of certain plants like leaves, herbs, barks, and rinds. Makers use different methods to concentrate them into oils. You may add them to vegetable oils, creams, or bath gels. Or you might smell them, rub them on your skin, or put them in your bath. Some research shows that they can be helpful, if you know how to use them the right way. Always check the label and ask your doctor if you’re not sure if they’re OK for you to use.

DO Check the Quality

Look for a trusted producer that makes pure oils without anything added. You’re more likely to have an allergic reaction to oils that have other ingredients. Not all extras are bad. Some added vegetable oil may be normal for certain more expensive essential oils.

DO Toss Out Older Oils

In general, don’t keep them more than 3 years. Older oils are more likely to be spoiled because of exposure to oxygen. They may not work as well and could irritate your skin or cause an allergic reaction. If you see a big change in the way an oil looks, feels, or smells, you should throw it out, because it has probably spoiled.

DO Tell Your Doctor

Your doctor can make sure it’s safe for you and rule out any side effects, like affecting your prescriptions. For example, peppermint and eucalyptus oils may change how your body absorbs the cancer drug 5-fluorouracil from the skin. Or an allergic reaction may cause rashes, hives, or breathing problems.