Page 59 - BusinessWest December 21, 2020

with,” Kelley said, adding that the building design incorporated local influences.
“Several design details of the build- ing are reminiscent of the South Street School that once occupied this site,” he noted, while another example is the large-screen movie room at Cedar- brook, called the Casino Theatre, inspired by the iconic movie house once located on Main Street in Ware.
Trends in senior living have changed over the years. Twenty years ago, such communities tended to attract people in their mid- to late 70s. As longevity has increased, the average move-in age these days has risen closer to the 80s and even 90s.
In the past, inquiries from families focused on services and amenities offered, as well as activities and the level of care. Since COVID-19, Rus- sell said, the questions have changed. “Now, we’re asked, ‘do you have a gen- erator?’ ‘how do you respond to emer- gencies?’ and ‘what supplies do you have on hand?’”
As a new building that has only recently opened, Russell is able to mar- ket the community as having plenty
of space for socially distanced meals
in two large dining rooms. “Everyone can eat together because we can space them far enough apart.”
Cedarbrook also works with a primary-care physician whom resi- dents can access through telehealth for routine inquiries, rather than going out to a doctor’s office. Meanwhile, an exercise physiologist runs the fitness programs for residents. At one time, exercise programs and other activities filled the calendar, but the number of activities has been reduced to allow for disinfecting equipment and rooms in between sessions. Russell described it as emphasizing quality and safety over quantity.
“If you’re smart about it,” she said, “you can still offer activities and keep everyone safe.”
Shifting Tides
By following that same approach, Russell continues to assure families that senior-living communities such as Cedarbrook are the right choice for their loved ones during this crisis.
“We want families to feel secure in knowing that there will always be sup- port here for their loved ones,” Russell said, adding that, while no one can guarantee COVID-19 won’t find a way to infect people, Cedarbrook has mea- sures and equipment in place in the event of an outbreak.
“If our residents have to quarantine, they will still get the care they need and still have their meals,” she said. “We will also help residents stay in touch with their families.”
Keeping safety as the main prior- ity, Russell believes the key is to make adjustments as things change. “I don’t really feel like there is a ‘new normal’ because every day brings new and dif- ferent challenges we have to face.”
And, like everyone, she looks for- ward to a time when COVID-19 restric- tions are a thing of the past. “We can’t wait until we can fully open the com- munity and share with families every- thing we have to offer here.”
Prior to Cedarbrook’s opening, Rus- sell had another big event on her cal- endar this year — she was married on Aug. 28, a date she intentionally chose before the September opening.
“The wedding was much easier to plan than opening the building,” she said with a laugh — but is happy to have accomplished both during a year no one will forget. u
Independent- living residents can either make meals for themselves or join others in the dining room.
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BUSINESS OF AGING
DECEMBER 21, 2020 59
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