Twin Town Villa prioritizes the health and safety of our residents, staff, and their loved ones. With everything going on, the daily news can cause anxiety for many people. We want you to know what steps the staff at Twin Town Villa has proactively taken and continues to implement to reduce the risk of exposure in our facilities.  Our ongoing conversations with Minnesota state officials and other care facilities reinforce our belief that the Assisted Living field is one of the most cognizant, compassionate, progressive, and flexible of industries preparing for this pandemic. While we’ve never seen anything like the COVID-19 virus, our staff are well educated and prepared to prevent the spread of all kinds of viruses and diseases. Various precautions and alternatives were already in place, allowing us a solid starting point to offer additional safety measures and staff training to continue providing the best care possible.

Twin Town Villa’s Caring Approach

Our work is incredibly rewarding and fulfilling. This hasn’t changed, even in this season of rapid transformation and new protocols. Relationships between our staff, residents, and their families will always be the center of what we do. It is these relationships, paired with compassion, that is driving our caring approach to new health and safety requirements. Transparency is important to us, as we answer your questions and ease your concerns during this unprecedented time.

Considering Assisted Living during COVID-19

Assisted living communities like Twin Town Villa in Breckenridge are still the best option for many people. When considering all the factors, many families realize that transitioning to an assisted living community is a safer choice now, more than ever. Isolation at home has hit an all-time high. As family and neighbors pull back from visits and check-ins, vulnerable situations for the elderly can arise. Twin Town Villa continues to accept new residents and has been able to safely navigate the process to reassure them and their families throughout the transition. We will arrange virtual, live tours of our assisted living communities at a time that is convenient for you.  Materials for you that can be reviewed will be left for pickup in our entryway. When the time comes to move-in, we can streamline the process to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 exposure. Our team is incredibly creative and sensitive to needs during this transition, and we’re ready to make it a positive, safe experience for all.

We’re here if your loved one is living alone, or you’re concerned they are unable to receive adequate care or attention.

Communication & Guidance from State Agencies

We know our residents have family and friends who love them and want them to be healthy, safe, and comfortable. We are all sailing uncharted waters, but find it best to value expert guidance from the Minnesota and North Dakota Department of Health Services (DHS), the Center for Disease Control (CDC), Leading Age Minnesota, and North Dakota Assisted Living Association so that our entire team can devote time and attention to our residents. Our staff connects virtually as a group so we can ask questions, share information, and navigate quickly in order to fast-track changes and provide the best in resident care.

Preventative Safety Measures

Twin Town Villa recognized the need to implement additional safety measures before it was required by federal guidelines. We shifted communal practices like meals and gatherings right away but found a way to continue providing much-loved activities and services to residents through one-on-one attention. Meals, spa services, and arts & crafts activities have all been adjusted to fit a safer model of resident-distancing in their rooms. Our residents are still getting outside, but with safety measures such as wearing masks and staying six feet apart. Twin Town Villa even had an outdoor concert that residents could view safely from their patios. As we’ve adjusted away from communal activities, our one-on-one interactions are at an all-time high. The increased interactions and individual attention help our staff continually reassess needs and preventative care on a continual basis.

We Reduce Risk by not Permitting Outside Visitors

No outside visitors are permitted unless deemed medically necessary. This helps lessen the risk of exposure considerably. Anyone arriving at our facilities is screened, including staff. They are screened and sent home immediately if any health concerns are present. Once they pass the screening process, they follow a hand sanitizing process and use complete personal protective equipment.

Highest Standards of Cleanliness

Our normally high standards of sanitation throughout our facilities continues, and we’ve intensified cleaning protocols for staff. We’ve added an additional dedicated cleaning shift each day. Every shift begins with wiping down common touch areas and sanitizing multiple times each day. Packages that arrive are sanitized thoroughly before being passed along to recipients.

Connection through Technology

We love to help keep residents and families connected by video calls and other technology. Our staff facilitates these calls and removes any technology barriers which makes these calls easy, frequent, and popular activity.

Our staff helps to keep residents and families connected by removing technology barriers.

Window Visits Encouraged

While windows need to remain closed, window visits are encouraged. Families can spend time with loved ones safely through windows and talk over the phone. Community members can provide unscheduled walk-by visits past our windows, and creativity is welcome. Anything visual can work well such as kids, pets, costumes, balloons, parade-style car visits, etc. If you give a call ahead, we have some residents who would welcome the prior notice to be ready.

Little Things Matter

We’ve felt a tremendous outpour of support from our local communities from handmade cards and artwork delivered to residents and displays of hearts. Flowers are delivered frequently to residents, and meals and treats are graciously provided to staff.

Working Hard to Earn your Trust

We love hearing from families who have their loved ones staying with us and know that we are providing the most compassionate care possible under the circumstances. We appreciate the trust that is placed in us, and we work hard to earn it daily. Please feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions or concerns.  If you are looking for an assisted living community for your loved one, please reach out to Twin Town Villa at (218) 643-9542 for more information.

I recently read and shared a post on Facebook that said, “the staff in the nursing homes and assisted living/memory care facilities aren’t fighting the same battle that the other nurses and doctors are fighting against COVID-19. Our battle looks a lot different. We’re fighting to protect our elders from the outside world. We’re fighting against depression and loneliness. We are fighting boredom and confusion caused by dementia and Alzheimer’s. We are fighting frustration of family members not being able to visit and families who feel disconnected and fear for their loved one. So, until this crisis is over, we will give comforting words and do our best to create fun activities that can be done safely. We will hold the iPads and phone so loved ones can see their elder who is unable to communicate and reassure them everything is okay. Staff will visit daily and provide reassurance, pray, sing or just be there to comfort them. We will put on smiles even when our heads are pounding, we are overwhelmed by all the new regulations and added documentation and we are fighting worry ourselves. We will do what we can to make sure the outside world stays “outside” and our elders stay safe.”

 

While we know how frustrating this time has been, we have simply been overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of our residents, their families, our staff, our local businesses, community members and complete strangers, as well.

We have been the recipients of face masks (both surgical and homemade with love) by numerous donors for both our residents and staff, personal protective equipment for our staff, an outdoor music performance that uplifted everyone’s spirits, flowers, plants, vegetables, numerous treats and goodies, pampering products, messages of support, words of encouragement and the list goes on and on!

Please know that we are so incredibly grateful and appreciative for all of these wonderful blessings and gifts which you’ve given to us. Each one has been appreciated so very much and as the saying goes, “no good deed goes unnoticed.” So, from the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU!

In closing, although we know how terribly hard this time of uncertainty has been on our residents, their families and all involved, please know that we are doing all that we can to keep everyone inside our walls safe, happy and healthy. Please reach out to us if there is something we can do to make this time any easier for you or your loved one. And again, thank you for your support – it is appreciated more than you could possibly know!

Eating a healthy diet helps to keep both our bodies and minds strong. When elderly people are living on their own, a healthy diet may be more difficult to achieve. Barriers such as the cost of healthy foods, transportation to the grocery store, changes in appetite, and the safety of cooking can all affect what seniors are eating. Medications can also interact with nutrients in food, causing side effects. When healthy eating for seniors becomes more challenging, it may be time to consider an assisted living community for your loved one.

A healthy life goes hand-in-hand with a healthy diet,

especially for senior citizens.

Healthy Meals Every Day at Twin Town Villa

Residents who live at the Twin Town Villa are ensured healthy, regular meals that are homemade. Three home-cooked meals plus healthy snacks are served daily in our beautiful dining room. The Director of Food Services prepares all of our meals fresh each day for our residents. Special diets are also available, depending on individual needs. When each resident first moves in, we meet with them and their family members to get a sense of what types of foods they like and which ones stir memories of the past. Our menus are created to optimize their health and prevent unplanned weight loss or lack of energy.

Communicating to Your Loved One about their Diet

Whether your loved one is living in their home or at an assisted living community, it is important to talk to them about their diet on a regular basis. This will give you an idea of how well it’s being managed and what is working for them.  Communication with the person’s doctor, dietician, and other caregivers is also important in case changes need to be made. When your loved one is a resident at Twin Town Villa, our staff takes the time to get to know each person and what their diet plan and preferences are. This helps us to better meet his or her nutritional needs and emotional needs as well.

Healthy Eating for Seniors Living on their Own

• Using the Healthy Eating Plate as a guide, try to fill half your plate with vegetables, a quarter of your plate with grains, and the last quarter with protein.
• Adjust portion sizes as needed to maintain a healthy weight.
• Many older adults find that they have a bigger appetite in the morning. If needed, have a bigger breakfast in the morning, but a lighter dinner in the evening.
• Include dietary fiber in your diet to help normalize bowel function, decrease diabetes, and heart disease.
• Choose healthy fats such as olive oil, avocado, and nuts. Avoid saturated fats such as fatty red meat.
• Drink plenty of water every day to stay hydrated.
• If an elderly person has trouble getting out of their house or managing heavy grocery bags, they can also try a grocery delivery service. Meals on Wheels can also a useful resource in many communities.

When is the Right Time to Move into Assisted Living?

At Twin Town Villa in Breckenridge, MN, we offer not only healthy, delicious meals, but many more daily living services and amenities that will help your loved one thrive.  Our community offers Assisted Living, Memory Care, and Care Suites to match the needs of each resident.  We serve the communities near Wahpeton, ND, and Fergus Falls, MN. If you have questions about Senior Living options for your loved one or would like a tour of our community, please contact us online or call 218.643.9542.

Residents and their families love that at Twin Town Villa Assisted Living Community, we offer daily living care services and amenities that meet each individual’s needs. Our residents all require a different level of care, and Twin Town Villa offers à la carte-style services so they can choose the service they need, when they need it. We have trained care providers on staff 24 hours a day for the safety and security of our residents, and the peace of mind of families.

Health-Related Services

With a Registered Nurse on Staff, our Health Supervision Services are tailored to meet the resident’s changing medical needs.

• Medication reminders and administration of medication
• Assistance with non-injectable drugs
• Yearly flu shots for residents and staff members
• Memory Care Community provides assistance for memory loss issues
• Transportation to medical appointments can be arranged as necessary
• Informational meetings and wellness clinics onsite for residents
• Other health-related services

Daily Living Care Services

We tailor our activities of daily living based on individual needs while ensuring the resident’s dignity and independence.

• Bathing assistance
• Laundry and linen services
• Housekeeping services
• Other personal services
  

Comfortable Living Amenities

Common areas around the Twin Town Villa community provide opportunities for socializing and enjoying life to its fullest.

• Home-cooked meals plus healthy snacks are prepared on-site each morning
• Planned activities like exercising and Community Life programs
• Beautiful Fireplace Room and Grand Piano Room to enjoy
• Outdoor patio area and outdoor garden area
• Computer center to surf the internet, email, and connect online with loves ones

Contact Twin Town Villa Today for a Tour!

Our staff would love to show you around Twin Town Villa and answer your questions about our community and our care services. We can work with the resident and their family to develop a plan designed to meet their unique needs. Get in touch with us by filling out this form or by calling us at (218) 643-9542.