Cook County News Herald

Care Center slowly opens




 

 

WOW is all I have to say! We don’t have to wonder anymore when things will start to change. We don’t have to wonder when we will be able to see our loved ones. We received great news recently at the Care Center and across Minnesota, which has caused excitement for residents and family alike. We are now able to have outdoor patio visits!

Life still goes on. We have almost Daily Manna’s provided by Bethlehem Lutheran Church for those who would like it. Residents are learning some fun facts. The Perk has interesting facts about each particular day. Did you know there is a National something every day? Did you know that Sea Turtles can be found in every ocean except for the Artic and cannot tuck into their shells? Lucky for them they have few predators. Did you know pineapple juice is great for tenderizing meat? Supposedly pineapples take almost three years to reach maturity and a single plant can only produce one pineapple at a time. I told the residents today there would be a test tomorrow (and they thought their testing days were over!)

First patio visit for Irene Peterson and her family. It was so nice to visit with Irene! I am sure all residents and visitors will love having a “distanced” face-to-face visit. Thanks to all who have made this type of visit happen. Photos courtesy of Lisa Bloomquist

First patio visit for Irene Peterson and her family. It was so nice to visit with Irene! I am sure all residents and visitors will love having a “distanced” face-to-face visit. Thanks to all who have made this type of visit happen. Photos courtesy of Lisa Bloomquist

Life goes on, but so does death. I think I can speak for most if not all of our staff at North Shore Living that the people living here are not our residents. They are our family. When they pass away a piece of our heart goes with them. There is a hole left in our hearts where the love, care and compassion for them once were. When your heart hurts by losing a family member know that ours hurt too. Recently family members Ed Olson, Ione Jones and Joyce Krueger, who all lived on the same hall, passed away within a few weeks of each other. Can you imagine losing three family members within a month? There is a whole new transition from loving and caring on those who left to those who come in.

Life goes on and so there’s food and fun. We had rocky road ice cream cones on National Rocky Road Ice Cream day and iced tea and lemon bars for our birthday party in June on National Iced Tea day. We celebrated Father’s day with root beer floats and men who were able had a tasty treat of a steak dinner. We have Happy Hour every Friday and Hall Way Bingo twice a week. We have been enjoying sitting out on the patio soaking up the sun and receiving fresh flowers from people’s gardens.

Nadine and Mindy enjoying the fresh air.

Nadine and Mindy enjoying the fresh air.

We are thankful for a couple of beauticians who have started coming in to style a few ladies hair. These ladies are fitting us in to their already busy schedules. We are looking for a licensed beautician to help with more residents. If you or someone you know is interested in spending time loving on our elders by styling their hair, please call the Activity Department at 218-387-3518.

We still enjoy FaceTime, Zoom, and Skype with our families. Please call the Activity Department at 218-387-3518 to schedule these appointments.

Outdoor patio visits: A receptionist will help you make an appointment to visit a resident by calling 218-387-3040 extension 0. You need to call at least a day ahead to schedule a visit. No same day visits. Visits are every day on the hour for 45 minutes. The first visit of the day is at 10 a.m. Visits continue at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. Be aware of the weather as we will not have outdoor visits in the rain. On the day of your visit you need to screen in at the hospital main entrance. You will be given a pass with a map and instructions. Please bring a facemask or one will be provided for you that you will take with you. You must stay six feet away from the resident. No pets at this time. You can schedule two visits per week. Hand sanitizer is provided both at screening and in the outdoor patio area.

Jean Roberts and her son Billy.

Jean Roberts and her son Billy.

I want to thank the staff at North Shore Living for all the help they have been giving me while we look for the right person to help in the Activity Department. It was nursing assistant appreciation week last week, but I appreciate you every day. You don’t go unnoticed. You are very much appreciated!

Eleanor Sjoberg with Ray.

Eleanor Sjoberg with Ray.

To our family, friends and volunteers: we can’t wait until we can spend time with you again. We hope you have been enjoying your summer. Thank you for all the flowers and mail we have been receiving. Please keep sending cards.

The family patio visits we have had on our first few days were fantastic! You could feel the excitement in the air and we did have an impromptu courtyard music visit from Harris Mills, which we so much enjoyed this past Saturday. Thank you, Harris.

Trudy and all of us wish you a Happy 4th of July!

Trudy and all of us wish you a Happy 4th of July!

Iris Shepard with flowers she won during Hall Way Bingo. Flowers were provided by Diane Nowers.

Iris Shepard with flowers she won during Hall Way Bingo. Flowers were provided by Diane Nowers.

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