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JKV’s 5th Annual Active Aging Week Was A ‘Virtual’ Success

November 6, 2020/in News

By Jamisyn Becker, contributor and John Knox Village Life Enrichment Manager

The Life Enrichment team at John Knox Village was so excited to be able to plan this year’s 5th Annual Active Aging Week.

As many know, this year has presented all of us with new challenges, but that did not stop the team from delivering the same high-caliber, robust activity schedule for residents to enjoy during the week.

There was a combination of live in-person events, and others offered “virtually” on Zoom. This “new way of doing things” has pushed many of us to go outside of our previous comfort zones and grow in ways we never knew we could.

Some of us have stretched ourselves to learn new technology. That, in itself, is Active Aging at its best.

This year’s Active Aging Week brought many events from which to choose. Some favorites from the week were our virtual cooking classes with Carol Green, our in-person cooking demo with our very own Executive Chef Mark Gullusci, while others enjoyed the Fitness Challenge and Dance Around the Clock events.

We were also fortunate to have a variety of lectures, notably, “Boosting your Immune System” with regular Gazette contributor and Medical Director of Advent Health, The Center for Whole Person Health, Dr. Tereza Hubkova and “Making SENSE of Brain Health” with Dr. Linda Sasser.

The week concluded with a “Soiree Under the Stars” – an outdoor celebration at our new Welcome and Innovation Center, where residents and the team were able to safely gather and celebrate the week and the opportunity to be together again.

JKV residents, family and friends gather together at the new Welcome and Innovation Center
during Active Aging Week.

Residents Embraced Active Aging Week

Heritage Tower resident Liz Lycke has enjoyed the lifestyle and events at JKV for four years. She actively participated in many events during this year’s COVID-careful Active Aging Week. Liz said she was “absolutely amazed at the imagination of the events and how we were all kept entertained.”

Liz feels safe and comfortable during these pandemic times at JKV. “The management took action early on and were ahead of the curve. Everything is under control, and I take advantage of the home delivery of meals. I’ve tried all the dishes and appreciate the tremendous selection.”

She gives the Life Enrichment team high praise for its perseverance and adaptation in bringing events to the residents. “We have so many choices, and I appreciate the aerobics opportunities, the music and dance events outside.”

During Active Aging Week, Liz participated in the brain training classes and the lecture on improving the immune system, but one live event brought a bit more normalcy to life at JKV.

“My favorite event was the Friday night soiree,” she said. “It was wonderful to have a great time while social distancing and meeting in-person with fellow residents and staff.”

Fellow resident Andrea Hipskind is one of the most active members of the JKV community. She is a frequent attendee to a variety of on-campus events. Active Aging Week gave Andrea the opportunity to expand her horizons.

“I signed up for everything that I could attend in person,” Andrea said. “I loved Carol Green’s Zoom cooking sessions. I always enjoy Mitch the Magician and I liked the decluttering class on Zoom.”

Mitch the Magician entertained in the Village Centre Auditorium with COVID-careful shows during Active Aging Week.

“The week of events was outstanding. Lots of kudos to the Life Enrichment team in figuring out how to do all this. It could not have been easy.”

“For example, Carol Green’s cooking sessions were Zoomed, so rather than watching Carol live in front of me, she was Zoomed right to the big screen in the Auditorium, where I could actually see her working even closer than if she were here in person.

“I loved the closing night’s soiree. It was a terrific time, meeting with each other again while social distancing. It was almost like being back to normal. It’s so great to laugh and engage, even while masked and at a distance of six feet. Laughter is the whole reason for my being right now, so Active Aging Week was the elixir that brought me joy and laughter.”

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A message from Jamisyn Becker, JKV’s Life Enrichment Manager

“I would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone for participating in this week of events, whether in person or in the comfort of your homes on Zoom. I am especially proud and thankful to the Life Enrichment team—Yael Fishman, Bea St. Pierre, Jacquee Thompson and Nicholas Sconiers, and our Production and Events Manager, Teddy Tennie, who worked tirelessly to continue to think outside of the box and provide innovative programming during this unprecedented time. Thanks also to our Marketing team: Kim Morgan, Rob Seitz, Thomas Rodriguez, Mark Lewkowicz and Marty Lee working behind the scenes to create our collateral and capture the moments throughout the week on video and camera. It has been so great to be able to see each other in-person again and enjoy these moments together. Let us all raise our glass and toast to continuing to age actively together.”

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To learn more about how John Knox Village is keeping members of our community safe, engaged and inspired during COVID-19, feel free to contact us. And if this resort-like lifestyle interests you, we invite you for a personalized, private, COVID-19-careful tour of our campus! Call 954-783-4040 today or click here to schedule your visit.

JKV on WTVJ: Adapting to Virtual Communication

October 28, 2020/in News

In this quick clip that aired on WTVJ 6 (NBC Miami) recently, JKV resident Doreen Haynie, who lives in Village Towers, was interviewed by co-anchor Roxanne Vargas on using technology during the pandemic. Check it out to see how she has learned new tech tools like InstaCart and Zoom, and how she has maintained a positive attitude so she can just “go with the flow.”

JKV on WTVJ: Family Visits During COVID-19

October 28, 2020/in News

In this quick clip that aired on WTVJ 6 (NBC Miami) recently, JKV Director of Health Services, Mark Rayner, was interviewed by news anchor Sheli Munoz on opening up visitation to residents’ families and children. Check it out to see how we’re bringing families together and lifting spirits—while always keeping everyone safe.

Meds, Nutrients And COVID-19: Maintaining Your Health Goals

October 22, 2020/in News

By Tereza Hubkova, M.D., contributor

People with cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure are at higher risk of developing severe COVID-19, requiring hospitalization, intensive care, and unfortunately, are at about a three times higher risk of death.

A lot of controversy surrounds some commonly used cardiac medications such as statins (cholesterol lowering medications) and ACE inhibitors (used for high blood pressure), since both classes of medications increase the number of the ACE 2 receptors that SARS-COV-2 uses to enter the cells. In other words, if cells were like houses, and coronaviruses were burglars, these medications increase the number of doors and windows through which the burglars can enter the house and cause trouble.

Having said that, the Coronavirus SARS-COV-2 seems to attack not just lungs, but also the lining of our arteries, the heart and the brain, where the same medications (statins, ACE inhibitors and ARBs) may provide a protective, anti-inflammatory, effect.

Several studies are now trying to sort the controversy out and investigate if these cardiac medications are helpful in COVID-19 or not. Given the unfortunate manipulations of public opinion about another medication, Hydroxychloroquine (driven by political and financial interests put above human lives), one can only hope that we indeed will hear the truth.

Meanwhile, I thought it might be useful to share with you that many commonly used cardiac medications can put their users at risk of nutrient deficiencies, with potential negative impact on their immune systems. My goal is to increase your awareness, not to create panic – when after all, approximately three times more Americans die each year of cardiovascular disease (about 647,000 Americans) than of COVID-19 (more than 200,000 Americans to date), thus far. Do not stop your cardiac meds because of this article, but you might want to ask your physician to check your nutrient level, and supplement accordingly.

Nutrients Versus Medications

Which nutrients are affected and by which medications? Blood pressure medications such as diuretics, ACE inhibitors and ARBs seem to deplete us of zinc – a key nutrient for our immune system. In fact, zinc seems to reduce the ability of many viruses to replicate (multiply), that is why we take zinc lozenges when coming down with the flu. Other immune-boosting nutrients depleted by diuretics are magnesium and potassium, and some, like Lasix, can even deplete the hugely important vitamin C.

Diet Adjustments That May Help

Great sources of zinc are seafood, animal protein, mushrooms, nuts and seeds. For magnesium, potassium and vitamin C, eat a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, from leafy greens to berries.

Statins can deplete us of coenzyme Q 10 (COQ-10) and selenium, two additional nutrients crucial for the immune system. Ask your physician to check your levels – coenzyme Q 10 can be taken as a supplement while Brazil nuts, mushrooms, animal protein and eggs are among the best sources of selenium.

How about the “king” of nutrients for the immune system – the sunshine vitamin – vitamin D? We know that a low level of vitamin D correlates with severe COVID. Most people living in the South are told not to worry about their vitamin D, as they are getting plenty of sunshine. But many medications lower vitamin D level through accelerated degradation including cardiac meds spironolactone and nifedipine, anti-epileptics carbamazepine and phenytoin, anti-cancer drugs tamoxifen, taxol and cyclophosphamide, prostate cancer medication cyproterone acetate and steroids such as dexamethasone. Ask your physician to check your level and keep at above 30 ng/ml with supplemental vitamin D3, if needed.

Maintain A Healthy Lifestyle

Medications can be tremendously helpful and even save our lives, but do not forget that a healthy lifestyle (healthy diet, optimal weight, moderate exercise, adequate sleep, laughter, love and social connection despite physical distancing) is the best booster for your immune system. It can help you not only make it through this pandemic, but also shrink your risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancer and live a longer, fuller, happier life with no side effects.

For a free guide featuring opportunities for overall wellness boosts you can achieve from home, John Knox Village has published their second edition of “At-Home Enrichment.” Simply click here or call their Marketing Department at 954-783-4040 today to request your copy!

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Dr. Tereza Hubkova is former Medical Director at Canyon Ranch and has been practicing internal medicine for the past 20 years. Currently, she is the Medical Director of Advent Health, The Center for Whole Person Health, in Overland Park, KS. Dr. Hubkova is a regular contributor to The Gazette.

New Center Is Welcoming, Exciting Times Ahead Will Be All Wet

October 15, 2020/in News

By Monica McAfee, Chief Marketing and Innovation Officer

By time you read this, the John Knox Village Sales and Marketing teams will be fully ensconced in the new Welcome and Innovation Center, our campus’ latest jewel.

Not only is it a beautiful building, but it will be another great meeting place and venue for entertaining for everyone in the Village—once we can do that again— without all the current COVID-19 precautions and restrictions.

Also, as you are (hopefully) enjoying this article, the Southwest 6th Street trenching project will have been completed, meaning the temporary inconvenience of being re-routed around campus will be rewarded by getting the wonderful Aquatic Complex “this close” to completion. The road closure not only allowed our crews to connect necessary water and sanitary lines to the Complex, but created additional parking spaces around the Village Centre and Aquatic Complex.

The Aquatic Complex is progressing nicely. The lap pool is in the foreground and resort-style pool in the background. Pickleball, bocce ball and much more are in store for residents and staff to enjoy.

No doubt many residents remember the old “Lobster Pot” pool—maybe even with somewhat nostalgic memories. I truly believe the only reference to lobster we’ll be hearing shortly will be when ordering an entrée from the new Aquatic Complex restaurant—the Glades Grill—or at Stryker’s Poolside Sports Pub.

One of the newest additions to the Aquatic Complex will be the outdoor Stryker’s Poolside Sports Pub.

Think about what lies ahead during these exciting times. In short order we will be enjoying two swimming pools—one a lap pool, the other a sun sail-covered resort-style pool—the aforementioned dining spaces, two each pickleball and bocce ball courts, a Jacuzzi and fire pit.

Add to that mix, the exterior upgrades to the Village Towers—new impact-resistant windows and sliding glass doors, waterproofing, sealing and painting. When finished it will provide the look and feel that newly refinished Cassels Towernow offers.

As Resident Senate President Pete Audet writes in his Village Voice column this month, “[John Knox Village]…has a well thought-out plan [and the JKV staff works] “to the point where you really feel they are taking care of ya.”

Expansion of the Heritage Tower parking lot provides 31 additional spaces, many of which will be used by staff who will be displaced when parking just to the west of the Rose Garden is eliminated for infrastructure, water lines and other supportive work to the campus begins.

That will take place in conjunction with a soon-to-be scheduled COVID-careful ground-breaking of some sort for the new Westlake Pavilion. Talk about a jewel.

I daresay the Pavilion will make us the talk—not only among residents, prospects and around town—but also within the senior living industry.

The features and benefits the Westlake Pavilion will provide for you will be immeasurable.

The 350 (or so) seat performing arts center will rival our neighboring Pompano Beach Cultural Center in size, scope and state-of-the-art technology. Add to that an art gallery, terrace and outdoor dining overlooking our expanded waterway system and JKV becomes more than just home.

Speaking of home, the last piece to this Master Vision Plan puzzle will be the two-building, 150 new apartment homes at Westlake called The Vue and The Terrace. They will offer 1,277 to 2,364 square feet of light-filled living throughout the spacious open floor plans.

Many of them will have access to private balconies, along with towering floor-to-ceiling windows and, of course, spectacular views of our expanded lake and waterways.

If you’re interested in learning more about the direction in which John Knox Village is heading, please do not hesitate to call us at (954) 783-4040.

It seems as if nearly every corner of our 70-acre botanical oasis is being improved. Dirt? Yes. Noise? Yes. Some inconveniences? Certainly. More than anything, the price of this progress is…patience. Something of which you have been most prolific.

Greek philosopher Heraclitus famously said, “the only constant in life is change.” Sooner than you think these changes will be faraway memories like the old “Lobster Pot”—something to wryly smile about as you regale yourself in the new creature comforts John Knox Village has to offer.

Strap yourselves in, it’s going to be a great ride.

To learn more about all the exciting projects happening and coming soon at John Knox Village in Pompano Beach, simply click here or call 954-783-4040 to arrange your own private, COVID-careful info session with our experienced team!

JKV’s Active Aging Week Will Be ‘Virtually’ Like No Other

October 5, 2020/in News

By Rob Seitz, contributor

Editor’s note: All photos in this article are from 2019 or earlier.

Active Aging Week runs from Oct. 4 through Oct. 11 this year, and for John Knox Village and other Life-Plan Retirement Communities around the world, it will be like no other. COVID-19 has made sure of that.

Begun in 2003 by the International Council on Active Aging, Active Aging Week (AAW) would typically be a week of large gatherings with people celebrating how positive the process of aging can truly be.

While that lofty goal and enthusiasm around the seven jam-packed days remain high, virtually all in-person events will be missing, giving way to the “virtual” classroom, fitness studio, performing arts locations, with the educational, physical and entertainment settings provided through Zoom videoconferencing or pre-recorded segments.

JKV, South Florida’s premier Life-Plan Continuing Care Retirement Community, has a full schedule of activities to stimulate body, mind and spirit.

“The entire JKV Life Enrichment Team went into flex-mode, once we recognized that the vast majority of our Active Aging Week events would be ‘virtual’,” Life Enrichment Manager Jamisyn Becker told The Gazette. “We will still be able to provide our residents, and prospective residents, with a full array of things to do, it is just that many of these events will be done from the comfort of their homes on computers or mobile devices, rather than in our Auditorium, party rooms or elsewhere around our campus.”

Included among the AAW highlights, in which you can take part “virtually,” are presentations or demonstrations on the following topics:

Immunotherapies

This year at John Knox Village, active aging week will take a virtual route, but still be as engaging as ever.

Dr. Tereza Hubkova giving a presentation at the Integrative Healthcare Symposium.

Dr. Tereza Hubkova will discuss immunotherapies during a pandemic. Dr. Hubkova is a regular contributor to our blogand is currently Medical Director of Advent Health, The Center for Whole Person Health, in Overland Park, Kansas.

Meditation

Group Mindful Meditation with Dr. Tawanda Spaulding, a registered marriage and family therapist intern, professional holistic life coach and intuitive healer.

Online Art Classes

Artist Kevin Morrissey (top), meeting with JKV residents Twylah and David Haun, will teach virtual art classes.

Virtual Art Class with Kevin Morrissey, a Master’s in Fine Arts artist, who will teach a drawing and sketching class, including some figure work from a plaster cast and statue.

Brain Tips

“Brain Sense,” with Linda Sasser, Ph.D. A national speaker on brain wellness, Dr. Sasser will help people learn about brain health and ways to improve their cognitive skills.

Health For Life

Active Self-Care Lecture with Licensed Massage Therapist Amber Bost. Discover a handful of ways to ensure your health remains optimal as you age.

Cooking With Chef Mark

JKV Executive Chef Mark Gullusci will provide two educational and entertaining cooking demonstrations during AAW. Due to 6-foot physical distancing, in-person attendance at both demos will be very limited. Call the Marketing Department at (954) 783-4040 to learn more and reserve your seat.

Yoga And Holistic Health

International yoga teacher, certified holistic health and life coach Melissa Jill will give virtual life tips.

Melissa Jill, CEO and founder of “Alive with Melissa,” is an international yoga teacher, healer, certified holistic health and life coach and speaker. She will offer her thoughts around yoga, self-love, emotional healing, positive thinking and setting intentions to create a blissful life.

Nutrition And Immunity

JKV Executive Chef Mark Gullusci and Nutritionist Carol Green will be offering virtual cooking demonstrations.

Certified Nutritional Therapy Practitioner and chef-owner of Taste of Healing, Carol Green will provide three “virtual” cooking demonstrations highlighting foods that “Boost the Immune System And Taste Delicious.”

Special For Pets And Their Owners

JKV residents Gaile and Carl Boomhower with Lil Bit.

Several events will took place on JKV’s beautiful 70-acre campus, including two for you and your four-legged friends. A Blessing of the Pets Service took place in the JKV Wellness (Dog) Park, and a Furever Friends Foto session was a tail-wagging treat, as well.

To request the complete John Knox Village Active Aging Week 2020 brochure, and for more information, call the JKV Marketing Department at (954) 783-4040 or click here to get in touch!

John Knox Village’s Guide To Education and Enrichment At Home

September 24, 2020/in News

When you live at John Knox Village you are never alone. The Life Enrichment and Marketing teams will help get you through the COVID-19 crisis with a full range of educational, spiritual and entertainment opportunities, which you can enjoy from the comfort of your own home.

At-Home Enrichment

The teams have prepared two brochures which are informative guides to knowledge and discovery. The brochures provide a gateway to art instruction, virtual museum tours, National Park tours and much more. Among the many topics covered in these illustrated brochures are ways to:

Learn some new art techniques
Challenge your brain with carefully cultivated online games
Enjoy virtual tours of museums and parks
Watch some great movies
Enjoy musical performances
Learn from college professor lectures at top-tier universities
Get tech-smart with how-to videos created by JKV professionals

Since many of the programs presented depend upon digital technology, JKV provides assistance on “anything and everything” to get residents up and running on the internet. JKV Technology Coordinator Nicholas Sconiers and his team of digital gurus have assisted countless residents with Instacart, Zoom and FaceTime.

The “At Home Enrichment” brochure has given precise information for residents on connecting to Village websites: JKVConnect, JohnKnoxVillage.com and the JKV YouTube channel to stay in the constant information flow from administration, all departments and fellow residents.

Take Virtual Tours Of Museums And National Parks

Even if you do not live at JKV, you can follow the guide for information on how to take virtual tours of great art museums. Visit the NSU Art Museum with its current exhibitions “Happy!” and “I Paint My Reality: Surrealism in Latin America;” The British Museum, London; Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam; and Uffizi Gallery, Florence. Visit our country’s great National Parks: Kenai Fjords, Alaska; Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico; Bryce Canyon, Utah; and Dry Tortugas, FL.

Call JKV Marketing at (954) 783- 4040 or simply click here if you would like a copy of the “At Home Enrichment” brochure.

VILLAGE VOICE – JULY/AUGUST 2020

June 26, 2020/in News

JKV Residents Appreciative, Adaptive And Resourceful

May 12, 2020/in News

By Marty Lee, contributor

While stay-at-home guidelines are in place at John Knox Village, residents are finding the time to be creative and appreciative in their daily activities.

Tom McKay is one of the many residents who usually spends much of his time involved in committees – volunteering to make the community operate smoothly. With social distancing in order, Tom says he is busy putting closets and paperwork in order, catching up on movies, books and walking.

“I always meant to enjoy, getting my full 12,000 steps walking around our campus,” Tom said. “There are friends to catch up with, and family members on the phone and by text. I have learned to use Zoom for meetings I would otherwise have to miss.”

“We are so fortunate here at John Knox Village with many good friends on campus. We say hello, as we do our daily walks around campus. We provide each other with items from our pantry for our individual cooking or entertainment needs. We support each other.

“The staff here are amazing in how they are compensating. They have put together a Life Enrichment book that provides detailed instructions on how to access live entertainment, virtual museum visits, fitness activities, movies, games. If you have nothing to do, it is because you do not want to do anything, not because it is unavailable to you. Sometimes naps are good too.”

Enjoying Each Other And Writing Books

Heritage Tower residents Twylah and David Haun have taken the time to enjoy each other’s company. “We both agree that we enjoy simply sharing together in our apartment, without all the obligations and opportunities here in Village life,” David said. “I have been writing another book—and plan to have it finished when things open up again, and most every day we walk.”

“One of our pleasant surprises has been how good the meals are, which are delivered each day. It still is a surprise each time the meals are delivered to see how much we enjoy them.

“Just this week, we have started cutting and sewing face masks for people to wear for protection against the virus. Some of them will be going to the hospital, where our granddaughter works; some can come to John Knox for our employee staff who are doing such a great job in both giving us protection and offering suggestions and ideas how to keep busy.”

Staying At Home And Informed

Residents Diane and Bob Barton appreciate the dedication of the JKV staff for establishing stringent guidelines to keep everyone safe.

“The daily printed and emailed COVID-19 updates have been an excellent source of timely and accurate information,” Diane said. “The updates explain the gate screening process; self-isolating when necessary; the six-foot social distancing; proper handwashing and how to learn to use Instacart. We’ve learned the importance of staying on campus except for essential needs; our responsibility to keep JKV residents and staff safe and providing a process to secure paper goods. The updates explain the symptoms of COVID-19 and how to care for a partner with symptoms, but not in distress. Plus, we have been guided to websites that offer entertainment, exercise, music, education and games.”

Counting The Blessings

Jan Spalding shares her Garden Villa with her faithful companion Trevor. Jan said that Trevor keeps her busy and exercising with lots of walks. Even though Jan has been a JKV resident since 2008, their daily walks allowed her to “discover lovely little niches to sit and enjoy the beauty of JKV.”

“I feel we are truly blessed living here,” Jan said. “There is not a thing that we have to worry about. There are many residents that are fearful. Sometimes that fear can have people make poor choices. We must remember that many of the staff that are being so wonderful to us all are also fearful.

“I just hope that we don’t all start to feel so safe that we forget about social distance, handwashing, isolation, etc. If every one of us can act like we are a contagion, everyone we see is a contagion and that we want to look after each other, we will lick this.”

To learn more about the precautions and efforts John Knox Village is implementing during this time, click here. And for more information about living at John Knox Village and the resort-like, maintenance-free, wellness-focused lifestyle enjoyed by all members of the community even amid COVID-19, click here or call 954-783-4040 to get in touch with our friendly team.

Sing The Praises For Unsung Heroes

May 5, 2020/in News

JKV’s Employees Dedicated To Security, Wellness And Health

By Marty Lee, Contributor

John Knox Village (JKV), the Pompano Beach Life-Plan Continuing Care Retirement Community of nearly 1,000 residents and more than 800 staffers, has mobilized its emergency plan to keep residents safe at home while redeploying staff to efficiently care for the daily needs of those residents.

“Our vigilance and responsibility to the well-being of all our residents, staff and vendors is undoubtedly worth our preventive measures,” Gerry Stryker, JKV President & CEO, said.

“We are all responsible for doing our part to stop the spread of this virus. Fear, anxiety and the spreading of rumors is counterproductive. Rest assured; we are working diligently to protect everyone.

“We are engaged on a daily basis with a variety of industry and governmental agencies, either through daily conference calls or by monitoring their notifications. Those groups include: LeadingAge Florida, the not-for-profit senior living industry trade group, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS), Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), World Health Organization (WHO) and others,” he added.

Long before Florida issued its stay-at-home guidelines, JKV departments had implemented the plans to keep residents and employees safe during the COVID-19 crisis. The three most visible departments implementing these plans involve: Security and Transportation to assure the campus remains safe and sheltered-in-place while providing transportation for those residents requiring essential “outside the Village” medical appointments, Dining Services to make sure all residents are well fed with daily home delivery of breakfast, lunch and dinner meals, and Wellness Nursing to maintain and oversee resident health during the crisis.

Security Of The Village

The staff at John Knox Village are truly unsung heroes during the time of COVID-19

Safety and security start at the Entrance Gates. During the pandemic, JKV implemented strict protocols for screening and monitoring all who entered.

On the front line of JKV’s plan is Transportation and Security Manager Wesley Letscher, whose staff’s responsibility starts at the Village’s entry gates.

“Currently only essential visitors are authorized to enter JKV. This means someone who is a caregiver, rather than a social visitor,” Wesley shared. “Deliveries are allowed at this time and Security has been assisting to ensure the packages and groceries aren’t being misplaced or delivered to the wrong address.

“We have a screening process that everyone entering the Village must pass in order to be granted access. The questions range from travel history, to current symptoms and, of course, any contact with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19. Should anyone answer yes to any of these questions, access will be denied, and they will be turned away.”

Wesley said that currently off-campus transportation is limited for essential medical appointments only. “All shopping trips have been canceled; groceries and prescriptions are being delivered to the residents by outside services. We are handling all resident special needs on a case-by-case basis.

“Each and every day, our Transportation and Security staff goes above and beyond their call of duty to serve the residents of JKV,” he said. “We have a really special team that understands what caring and customer service mean. The people on the front lines screening at the gates, are working tirelessly to ensure nobody enters JKV without the proper screening. I am so thankful for our Transportation and Security employees, they have remained flexible, show up every day, never complain and the residents are also so appreciative.”

Keeping Residents Fed Daily

The staff at John Knox Village are truly unsung heroes amid COVID-19

The Dining Services Staff has been mobilized to prepare and deliver all meals to residents’ apartments and villas.

With nearly 800 independent living residents, all now sheltering at home, a major consideration has been keeping them all well fed. Under normal times, residents took buses, campus carts or strolled to the Patio and Lakeside Dining Rooms or The Palm Bistro for breakfasts, lunches and dinners. Meals were a major opportunity to socialize and linger over a delicious entrée and catch up on the day’s events. Today’s situation dictates that all meals are ordered by residents via phone or internet, and the meals are delivered fresh and directly to residents’ homes or villas.

Joe Mallen, JKV’s Director of Dining Services, implemented a phased plan to keep all residents well fed, weeks before the coronavirus crisis became prevalent.

“I put together a ‘what if’ scenario, if the dining room was in fact closed [due to social distancing],” Joe said. “I included the Palm Bistro in that scenario as it is in a healthcare setting and probably would be closed before the dining room, out of an abundance of caution.

Currently Dining Services is following its detailed plan. With the dining rooms and Palm Bistro closed, daily meals are available for home delivery only. Also, as part of this plan, Executive Chef Mark Gullusci and his kitchen team have developed frozen meal options. “We’re starting with four different meals, in three different sizes, freshly prepared and frozen,” Joe said. “There’s Baked Ziti, Grilled Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo, Hearty Beef Stew and Chicken Verdicchio,” Joe explained.

Dining Services currently has a staff of 103 including Catering & the Palm Bistro. Joe praised his staff saying, “They have really come together to function as a unit. Teamwork has never been better. We are fully staffed right now and have deployed staff based on their skill set. Some are great on the phones, others efficient at fulfilling the orders, still others at navigating through the campus and delivering the meals with a smile. We will continue to evaluate the schedule, and ensure our employees are productive and deployed as necessary.

“It’s a team effort all the way. We were proactive and prepared for the worst. My team put systems in place so when the time came to implement them, there wasn’t the chaos that there could have been.

“Rob Seitz [Communications Manager] and the team [in Marketing and Life Enrichment] have done a wonderful job keeping everyone updated. This daily communication has taken a lot of the fear out for many. I am so proud of how my managers and staff have responded during this unprecedented time of uncertainty. Everyone has stepped up and pitched in to learn new roles and responsibilities. The morale has never been better, and I think they understand now the seriousness of the situation, as well as how important they are to the health and welfare of our John Knox Village Residents.”

Health Care Services

As a Life-Plan Continuing Care Retirement Community, John Knox Village provides a continuum of care from independent living, to assisted living and higher levels of care, both short-term and long-term on its beautiful 70-acre botanical campus.

Leslie Schlienger, John Knox Home Health Agency Administrator, supervises a health care services team of 200 Home Health Agency Nurses and Aides, and a staff of 25 in Wellness Nursing. These ladies and gentlemen are on the front lines, keeping residents healthy and safe.

At this time of social distancing, and in the interest of maintaining the health of all residents and staff, procedures have been modified.

“Much of the daily screening done by Wellness Nurses is now being done by phone,” Leslie said. “Home Health Case Managers have minimized visits to only essential functions. We are getting very good at telephone triage.”

Protocols are in place so that: “If we suspect virus-like symptoms, the resident will need to self-isolate and the physician will be notified,” Leslie said. “They manage the symptoms in the home as best as possible. Nursing will call twice a day to check on the resident, and if indications dictate a need for more sophisticated management they will be transferred to a higher level of care.”

So far, JKV’s social distancing protocols have kept the Village’s independent living residents safe.

Leslie credits her health care staff with heartfelt commitment far beyond the call of duty. “I am overwhelmed and impressed with their dedication, kindness and loyalty to the John Knox Village community. In this time of heightened anxiety, I see our people are being very kind and considerate and that is what is bringing out the very best in us.”

Bringing Out Our Better Angels

She said the feeling of humanity and assistance has extended beyond the walls of JKV. “Nuage Designs, a textile company in Miami, contacted us and sent more than 50 cloth face masks to distribute to our aides, who ride public transportation to and from work for their personal use. They also gave a small bottle of hand sanitizer with each mask. This is an example of how we are all working together in this.”

If these stories are any indication, the staff at John Knox Village are truly the unsung heroes keeping the community safe. Even in normal times, their efforts go above and beyond the expected as they provide stellar services to keep the community going. For more information about John Knox Village, click here or contact us by phone at 954-783-4040.