COVID-19 has affected all of our lives in many ways.  In Assisted Living communities, where many at-risk people call home, there are additional challenges as we work diligently to keep our residents safe and healthy. But in addition to the physical health challenges we face, we also must recognize the effects that COVID-19 has on the mental health of the elderly.

It’s good for our residents’ mental health!

Friends & Family Outdoor Patio Visits

Families and friends can reunite with an outdoor patio visit with their loved one! This is a wonderful way to connect with your loved one and enjoy some beautiful weather. Twin Town Villa’s outdoor 45-minute patio visits must be scheduled in advance online here. When you arrive, please come to the SW outdoor patio (by the pond) where you will be greeted by a staff member and given your instructions for your visit. Please note that all parties must wear face masks (if able to tolerate). Please bring your own face masks with you to the visit.

Facetime Calls with Family & Friends

Face-to-face video chat helps offer reassurance since they can see family and friends “in person”. Video calls can be done through TwinTown Villa’s computer center via Facetime, Skype, Zoom, Facebook or others. If residents or families need help facilitating the video chat,  the staff at Twin Town Villa can help.

Activities and Hobbies

Planned activities help the residents to keep their minds busy and cope with stress. Even simple activities like reading, playing cards, or doing an art project can help residents focus on the activity rather than things that may be bothering them.

Outdoor Concerts & Parades

The beautiful weather that we have been having in Breckenridge, MN has given us the perfect opportunity to hold outdoor concerts for our residents to safely enjoy from a distance.  Our concerts have included Tim Mosser as well as “On the Mend” with musicians, Ed Moore, Rick Miller and Rick Hendrickson.  Our residents also recently got to enjoy an old-fashioned tractor parade, with many local people in our farming community volunteering to bring their tractors in for our residents to enjoy!

Snail Mail & Special Packages

Remember the lost art of the handwritten letter that was so prominent when our residents were younger?  Many of our residents love sending and receiving mail from their loved ones and this is the perfect time to bring that back.  Care packages also bring smiles to residents’ faces.

Talking to Our Staff and Professionals

The staff at Twin Town Villa does a wonderful job of getting to know our residents through conversation and finding out what activities help to make residents feel content and cope with stress.  Our staff is also trained to recognize signs of anxiety and depression and when to adjust the resident’s care plan or reach out to a social worker or mental health professional.

Questions? Reach out to us!

Despite the current COVID-19 stress put on families, staff, and residents, Twin Town Villa is working hard to provide a safe and healthy environment that also provides support and activities for our residents’ mental health as well. If you have questions about Twin Town Villa or would like to schedule a tour, please contact us online or call 218.643.9542.

 

When the time comes that your family member cannot take care of their needs adequately on their own in their home, we have some guidance to find the right senior living facility, whether that is assistive living or continuum of care community.  We recommend looking for a place that feels and acts more like a community of care, rather than a “facility”.  Here are a few tips on finding the right home for your Mom, Dad, or loved one.

Considerations for Selecting Senior Living

Talk with your Loved One & Determine Needs

Are there certain amenities or comforts that are especially important to your loved one? Listen to their needs and determine what you feel daily living care services are needed —whether it is homecooked meals, planned activities, memory and dementia care, medication reminders, or other health-related services. 

Proximity to Resident’s Family & Friends

We all know how important visits from loved ones are. Even if it is just a window visit or dropping off a gift, having your loved one is an assisted living community nearby so family and friends can easily visit is definitely a convenience that allows for more interaction. If you are looking for an assistive living near Wahpeton, ND, or Fergus Falls, MN, Twin Town Villa is a perfect choice. Learn more about the communities we serve.

Make a List & Start Calling

By now you should have a least a shortlist of assisted living communities that you think may be a good fit for your loved one.  Do some research online and check out their website, social media pages, and reviews they may have. Give each one a call and ask questions about cost, amenities, staffing, how many residents live there, and possible waiting lists. Write down the information you collect to review later.

Ask your Friends & Family

Ask your trusted friends and family who have loved ones in long-term care, what their experiences have been in the senior living communities you have been researching.  Healthcare providers, social workers, and church groups can also offer valuable insight, feedback, and referrals.

Schedule a Visit

Taking a tour of the assisted living communities you are considering will give you a better feel of the environment overall and allow you and the potential resident to ask questions in-person.  Be sure to have a list of questions and be observant of the cleanliness, handicap access, and staff-resident interactions.  During COVID-19, assisted living centers may have special considerations for in-person tours, or virtual tours available to protect the residents.

Making the Decision

Before making a final decision on an assisted living center, or Care Suite, drop by for another visit to ensure everything still meets your expectations.  The decision to move your loved one into assisted living placement can be an emotional one, so it can be helpful to have another party join you, such as a family member, doctor, or social worker. Look over the contract very carefully before signing.

When is the Right Time to Move into Assisted Living?

At Twin Town Villa in Breckenridge, MN, we offer 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.

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.