Taking precautions during COVID-19

In January, as we virtually celebrated the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., we a rmed our heritage as a diverse community of faith. We proclaimed diversity is a good thing, a God thing, something to be fostered and nurtured. We further proclaimed that discrimination of any sort has no place in faith-based communities and will not be tolerated. All this and more is right here, within minutes of our front door!

Because we get so much here, many feel a need to give back, to give of their time and talent in strengthening this community. The lifeblood ows from caring people who contribute thousands of volunteer hours each year to make this place work, and they love doing it! According to our volunteer coordinator, in an average year, 25,000 volunteer hours are logged by residents. As an ordained pastor, I’ve spent my life working with volunteers. That’s what people do in faith-based communities.

We moved to Cedar Community because we wanted to “live more!” This is a vibrant retirement community and a comfort for our children knowing no matter what happens to us in the days to come, there’s an answer right here.

Non-pro t communities like Cedar Community also look after their residents who have outlived their nancial resources. Most for-pro t retirement communities can’t begin to make that claim. Last year, Cedar Community invested over three million dollars in people who had outlived their resources.

We have found right here the essential ingredients of a faith-based community including: · Life-enhancing resources–be they spiritual, emotional, medical, educational, social, physical. · Life-enhancing relationships with those who share our values and interests. · Life-enhancing independence and the ability to control our future. · Life-enhancing opportunities to contribute to a greater good. · Life-enhancing experiences that free us to “live more.” · Life-enhancing natural beauty at every turn.

Word to the wise–don’t wait until you break a leg to start planning your future. Who knows, after you have done your research, you may decide that a faith-based, not-for-pro t community is the next best thing for you. It sure was for us!

Steve Davidson

Resident, Cedar Community Independent Living

Survey nds residents feel safe in senior community

There is no doubt the pandemic has changed our day-to-day lives, but we are fortunate at Cedar Community that our residents tell us they feel safe, and thankful that they are here. We continue to o er tours for all levels of care from independent living to short-term rehabilitation. Tours follow all COVID precautions by appointment only, but allow prospective residents, families, and patients to learn more about the Cedar Community lifestyle. We’re taking care of those that need care, hosting socially distant activities and themed events, screening team members daily and testing them weekly per guidance of federal and state health o cials, wearing masks and shields, and social distancing.

A recent national survey of residents, sta , and prospective residents by Plante Moran Living Forward, the senior living development consulting division of Plante Moran Cresa, and Retirement DYNAMICS®, one of the nation’s leading senior living consulting rms, showed residents and sta in senior independent living communities felt safe during COVID-19 and con dent their senior communities had taken precautions to keep them safe. They surveyed more than 23,000 residents and sta in independent living communities across the United States, as well as prospective residents, and received more than 5,000 responses.

Survey results revealed: · 92 percent of sta felt the community where they worked responded well to the pandemic. · 93 percent of residents felt there were precautions in place to keep them safe. · 77 percent of residents said they were glad to be living in a community during the pandemic. · 86 percent were glad they made the decision to move to a community. · 74 percent of prospective residents said the pandemic has not a ected their moving time frame.

Cedar Community continues to remain diligent with precautions in place to protect our residents, family members, and team members. If you would like more information on Cedar Community’s independent living contact Cathy, 262.338.4615, or Abby, 262.338.4617.

Celebrating

outstanding team members

Every quarter, Cedar Community recognizes team members who go above and beyond their everyday tasks for our residents, families, volunteers, and their fellow team members. Cedar Community is proud to announce our team members of the quarter award winners: Emily Bowe, Med Tech/Resident Assistant, and Katelynn Hechel, Customer Relations/Sales

Emily Bowe was encouraged to work at Cedar Community by a friend and several family members. While she was in high school, a friend, who worke in dining at the time, said it was a great place to work and she should apply. Emily worked as a dining assistant for two years while nishing high school. She graduated in 2016 from West Bend East High School, and at the encouraging of several aunts who had worked at Cedar Community, applied for a nurse’s aide position.

“I didn’t know where my career path would lead, but my aunts loved working at Cedar Community,” says Emily. They have since moved on to hospitals and other care facilities, but Emily appreciates the encouragement they provided. Emily has worked as a nurse’s aid in Cedar Community’s assisted living since graduation. In 2020, Emily’s supervisor, Kathleen Spott, RN, Director of Nursing – Assisted Living, recommended she further her skills by taking the medication technician (med tech) course. Emily has served in the role of med tech for a little over a year and often oats between both assisted living facilities and memory care. When not passing medications to residents, she performs daily nursing cares for residents which include baths, therapies, and spending one-on-one time. “I really enjoy what I do and the interactions I have every day with the residents and my wonderful team of coworkers from nursing, to dining, and activities,” says Emily. Residents and families appreciate her kindness. She even had a resident who wishes she was her daughter because of the care and compassion she provides each day.

Emily is thankful for the work she does, the care she provides, and the opportunities to learn something new every day. She also appreciates the guidance and motivation provided by her supervisor. “She pushes us to do everything and to be better, while motivating and encouraging us,” says Emily.

Kathleen feels the same way about Emily, “She has an amazing bedside manner. Every day she comes to work she has a smile on her face. Emily loves helping others, whether she is working as an aide, or as a med tech, she treats all of the residents as if they are family. She goes above and beyond assisting with the care plan by knowing what the resident likes and does not like so that the resident is able to achieve the best possible experience. Cedar Community is so blessed to have her as one of our team members.”

Her team also has many positive comments about Emily when they nominated her as Team Member of the Quarter saying, “Emily is willing to go above and beyond for any request a resident has.” “Emily is a real asset to Cedar Community.” “Emily always has a smile on her face, even if no one can see it because of the masks, they see it in her eyes.” “Emily is a go-to person and working to make the best environment for our residents.”

When Emily is not at work she enjoys hiking with her ancé and two dogs. She is also busy planning a September 2021 wedding.