COMMUNITY BLOG

We are pleased that federal and state officials have prioritized long-term care residents and their caregivers for early COVID-19 vaccinations. Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is one of the best ways to protect those living in and receiving care in our communities. The news of a vaccine gives us hope for the next chapter in our fight against this virus.
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Ebenezer communities, including Tinta Wita Tipi Senior Living, will be among the first to receive the recently approved COVID-19 vaccine within the next week or two.

Details of this plan are being filled in on an hour-by-hour basis. In cooperation with the government’s distribution to pharmacies, we will be administering the very first vaccines to staff and residents in Ebenezer’s skilled care communities. The first vaccine shipment will be delivered to the pharmacy. Each week, 25% of the staff across all departments and 25% of the residents will receive their first dose of the vaccine.  A second dose will be scheduled to follow.

​We anticipate that we will begin vaccinating staff and residents within our community in early to mid-January.  The same process will apply as with the skilled care vaccination administration.

How we will administer vaccine
Our Pharmacy will vaccinate residents – including Independent Living residents who reside in communities that provide Assisted Living services, which is Tinta Wita Tipi Senior Living. Our site nurses will vaccinate staff members.
The vaccine will be administered in 2 doses. After receiving the first dose, the recipient must receive a second dose. It is important to get the SAME MANUFACTURED VACCINE as the first dose.
To ensure that we are getting the vaccine to those who need it most, we will not vaccinate staff or residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 within the last 90 days. We will vaccinate these individuals at a later date.

We strongly encourage staff and residents to get vaccinated
At this time, we are not requiring that all staff and residents get the vaccine, however, we are strongly encouraging it. Vaccinating a significant majority of staff and residents is the only way we will be able to stop the spread of the virus.

About the vaccine
This vaccine is safe and effective (95% effective). Both the PFIZER and MODERNA vaccine are mRNA vaccines.

• mRNA technology is new in vaccine production but is already being used in cancer treatment. It has been studied for more than ten years.
• COVID-19 mRNA vaccines give instructions for our cells to make a harmless piece that looks like the “spike protein.” The spike protein is found on the surface of the COVID-19 virus.
• Our bodies recognize that this protein should not be there, so they build antibodies that will remember how to fight the virus that causes COVID-19 if we are infected in the future.

 
Potential side effects
As with any vaccine, your body may react to the vaccine as those antibodies are being made.  Not everyone will experience this reaction. Below are the most common

• You may experience have short-term discomfort:  fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills, fever and pain at injection site after vaccination
• These reactions will last for 24-48 hours and are typically more pronounced after the second dose
• Side effects mean your body is doing its job and making antibodies (IT IS A GOOD THING)
• These are normal, common and expected
• If your Doctor has told you it is OK, you can take Tylenol or Ibuprofen prior to receiving the vaccine as well as for the first few days following receiving to minimize such reactions.

When will I be protected? How long will I be immune?

• Most of the vaccines are 2 doses
• Protection occurs 1-2 weeks after the second dose

We will most likely not know how long the vaccine will be protective once we receive it.  We will know more as more time passes in the current research. It is possible we may need to have vaccine shots for COVID-19 on a regular basis (like the flu shot).

Will we still need to wear face masks?
Similar to other types of vaccines, a large number of people in the community will need to get vaccinated before transmission drops enough to stop the use of masks.                                                       
Is the vaccine safe?

• Safety is the most important priority in vaccine approval
• Everyone receiving the vaccine will be monitored following receiving it
• Monitoring for safety will continue as the vaccine is distributed to the public
• To assess safety FDA typically advises that a minimum of 3,000 participants are included in the trial.  The current COVID-19 vaccine trials include 30,000 to 50,000 participants
• The FDA is using the same strict standards that it has for decades
• No steps are “skipped”
• The FDA has approved the Pfizer vaccine for use

Can Ebenezer residents and staff give consent or decline the vaccine?
Our residents and staff will be asked about their interest in receiving the vaccination and will be asked to sign a consent at some point prior to the vaccination being administered. If they choose to decline, they will be asked to sign a declination. The declination is not binding. Those within our community can receive the vaccine later, if they change their minds.
 
Questions?
It is important to get information from reliable sources (CDC, AMDA, medical directors, medical providers, etc.)

​Here are some links to information:
CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/covid-conversations/answering-questions.html
CDC: About COVID-19 vaccines: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/about-vaccines.html
CDC: Provider Resources for COVID-19 Vaccine Conversations with Patients and Answering Patients’ Questions: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/covid-conversations/
LeadingAgeMinnesota https://www.leadingagemn.org/assets/docs/COVID_19_Vaccine_Questions_(2).pdf

Be first in line for your vaccine and reserve your apartment home at Tinta Wita Tipi - ask about our Limited Time Move-In Special

Making the decision to leave the home where you've lived for a lifetime, raised your children, hosted countless family holiday celebrations, perhaps grieved along the way, experienced all of the highs and lows involved in living and made the precious memories you and your family will treasure forever, is a big decision and an even bigger step.

You know there are a lot of good reasons why you shouldn't stay in your home — dealing with the responsibilities that come with homeownership like shoveling, mowing and handling it all if something goes wrong with the furnace on a snowy night. There's also the isolation many seniors can feel, especially now in this age of COVID-19 and social distancing. Not to mention making all of your own meals, cleaning the house and getting yourself to doctor appointments and the grocery store.

You also know there are a lot of good reasons why senior living makes so much sense. You can choose an age-in-place community that will set you up for a great quality of life with great friendships, care when you need it, the opportunity to become familiar with a community as your home, the knowledge you'll never have to move again, and the security of knowing you get to have choice in what's next and not wait until a crisis happens to force a move when you haven't really even had the opportunity to think it through. It's the peace of mind of knowing your meals, housecleaning and all of those other responsibilities are being taken care of for you. It's also the chance to take part in activities like Life Long Learning programs, in which you can learn new things, take up new hobbies and keep your mind active.

Still, even with all of those truths about the benefits of senior living, turning the page in the next chapter of your life can be difficult and oftentimes, confusing.

As being part of Ebenezer, our compassionate teams are there to help older adults and their loved ones get a clear, thorough read on that next chapter. At our senior living communities, there are no surprises, whether we're talking about the costs, what sort of care is provided, the programs or anything else associated with moving into one of our communities. We help people navigate all of the options, resources available to them, care and the type of living arrangement that would work best for them.

We'll talk it through with you to find out what makes the most sense. Is it starting with our Adult Day programs? Moving into Assisted or independent Living? We'll talk about what happens if one spouse needs more assistance than the other, and how the two of you can stay in one place together for as long as possible.

We make it part of our mission to find out what's truly important to you, who you are and what "home" looks like to you. Then, we provide you with guidance and support based on what they want the next chapter of their life to be. It's part of the compassionate, respectful service we give to our residents every day.

To find out more information about moving into one of our communities, please contact us. We'll be happy to sit down with you to help you write your next chapter

Aging. It’s difficult to see—especially in those you love. What are the signs of normal aging . . . of Alzheimer’s and other dementia?  Can your parents or loved ones care for themselves without help? What kind of help is best? Where can you go to get it? How can you tell if your loved ones need help (even when they insist they don’t)? And even more importantly, how can you talk to them about it?
Here are some indicators to watch for:
 
Weight loss
Are your loved ones eating? Missing meals can be a sign of depression or dementia.  The most common reason, however, is that shopping for and preparing meals might just be too much for them to handle.
 
Poor hygiene
Does your loved one look disheveled? Is he or she wearing dirty clothes, skipping baths? Sometimes fear of falling in the tub or shower can cause them to neglect their personal hygiene.
 
Decline in home appearance
What about their home? Are there piles of clutter? Dirty dishes, lots of laundry, un emptied trash, or spoiled food everywhere? If your former “neat-nik” loved one is now living in clutter this is cause for concern.
 
Forgetfulness
Is your loved one often confused?  Over drawing bank accounts, missing bill payments? Do you often need to “redirect” them? This kind of cognitive decline can be:

• Problems with medication management
• Mood swings

 
If you find yourself needing help with an aging loved one, we can help provide you with the support and resources you need. Including but not limited to:

• Care management and coordination
• Care Partner Support Groups
• FREE Care Assessment
• Fairview Home care
• Caregiver Assurance
• Adult day programs
• Overall support and guidance navigating senior care options and resources

 
Want to get the conversation started?
 
Contact us today and get a FREE copy of checklist of What to Check for When Checking on Loved Ones

Although we cannot be with every senior during this time or peoples with compromised health systems, we still want to be a resource. Our Corporate Registered Dietitian will be putting together some short video segments to provide nutrition tips and fun little recipes for people to try on their own. We are hopeful that with these precautions we will be able to move on to our “normal lives” soon.
Nutrients found in foods can help boost our immune systems and provide our bodies with extra protection. That being said, it is not guaranteed that any of the foods will actually prevent you from ever becoming sick. However, here are just a few foods that can give us a little help in staying healthy!

• Carrots, mangos, broccoli, spinach, tomatoes and sweet potatoes- all contain Beta Carotene, a naturally occurring retinol precursor that can help stimulate the release of natural killer cells, lymphocytes and monocytes while inhibiting free-radical damage to DNA.
• Citrus fruits, berries, melons, bell peppers, broccoli and tomatoes- contain Vitamin C which supports other cellular functions and has antioxidant properties. Vitamin C helps direct immune cells (neutrophils) to sites of infections.
• Fatty fish, eggs and fortified milks & juice- contain vitamin D which has anti-inflammatory properties that can counteract microbial infections in addition to inflammation.
• Beef, seafood, bean, tofu and nuts- good sources of Zinc that is critical for normal development and function of cells that can help fight infection & heal wounds. Zinc may also reduce the duration of the common cold and reduce risk of upper respiratory infections in children.
• Cultured dairy products and fermented foods- provide probiotics to promote good gut health
• Dairy products, eggs, beef, chicken, seafood, nuts, seeds, beans and lentils- great sources of protein which is crucial to build, maintain and repair body tissue. Antibodies that help fight disease are made of protein (amino-acids).

During these trying times, focus on having a healthy balance in your life including eating well, moving (as much as possible) and getting adequate sleep. Aim for 5-7 servings of fruits and veggies daily to get these immune boosting minerals, vitamins and antioxidants!
Of course, proper hand hygiene is one of the most effective way to help prevent the spread of germs. We would also like to remind everyone to properly clean utensils, glassware and other serving dishes. Refrain from sharing silverware, cups, bottles, etc… to avoid the spread of germs from on to another.
The recipe today is one that our Registered Dietitian Becca thinks we all deserve at this time because it features steak! Steak is a wonderful source of protein, zinc and iron. Pairing foods like steak with other foods containing vitamin C (strawberries) helps our bodies absorb iron more efficiently too!

For many of us, the best time of year is from the end of November to the end of December. Families from all around the world come together to celebrate different holidays and family traditions. Even though it's the time for giving and not as much receiving, sometimes people tend to forget all about what the holidays are.
 
Here are a few things worth remembering this holiday season:
 
- Staying humble is important. I've had the privilege and honor to have close personal relationships with some of the world's most influential, philanthropic and powerful people, from heads-of-state to major celebrities. Those who were most "established" were not (and still are not) impressed with their power or what they'd achieved. There were rather almost bashful about their standing in the world and were eager to shine the spotlight on the importance of others. It made them even MORE important to others, such as yours truly. I was grateful for them taking the time to include me in their personal lives.

- There are always people who are going to have more or less than you. As the saying (and even song title) goes, "The other man's grass is always greener." Another part of those lyrics is "Some are lucky, some are not. I'm so thankful for what I've got." In my opinion, that last line covers the subject completely, as there are times in our lives when there's no stress and other times when the stress is almost life threatening. I've been through both situations several times, but still consider myself much more blessed than not. I truly hope that's the case for YOU.

- Even if you're not happy with the gift someone got you, just remember it's the thought that counted. Indeed, some of the least expensive gifts I've ever received came from the kind hearts of those who did the giving. There were a few times in my own life when I couldn't afford to even buy Christmas cards but instead had to send cards that I'd been given me by organizations such as the DAV and American Legion. The recipients of the cards kindly acknowledged they appreciated the thought. 

- Be kind to others. This should be a common sense, year ‘round mantra, but it's even more significant during the holidays. One of the oldest sayings I can remember is: “If you just give a smile, that smile will almost always be returned." There's universal warmth established for both the kindness-giver and recipient. Practicing kindness all the time would be the ultimate desired behavior for each of us. 

- You never know what someone is going through. Most of us, or many, at least, don't totally share news of hardship in our lives. It's embarrassing to most and hurtful to admit life isn't always perfect. Before we admonish someone for possibly rude or less-than-kind behavior, it should be remembered we're not always aware they may be suffering on the inside while smiling on the outside. Again in my opinion, we should think twice before judging anyone, especially at this time of the year.

- If you know someone who doesn't have a family to go to during the holidays, invite them to wherever you're going. Indeed, if at all possible, again in the spirit of kindness, make someone happier at this season when they may not have a family or anyone who cares about their happiness. Sadly, there are too many people now who are experiencing loneliness and feelings of being abandoned by society.
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- Take advantage of quality family time. The length of our life is never guaranteed, thus we should always tell our families how much we love them and how grateful we are to have them in our life. In that regard, taking time to make or buy a thoughtful gift can sometimes be more meaningful than buying the most expensive present. Money does not buy happiness. Putting some thought and time into a gift tends to get a much more appreciative reaction.
 
I hope these thoughts, all truly common sense that sometimes need reminders, will help propel you to an even happier holiday season, fast approaching!
 
Thank you for reading, as always.

​Aging. It’s difficult to see—especially in those you love. Do you know the signs of normal aging . . . of Alzheimer’s and other dementia? Can your parents or loved ones care for themselves without help? What kind of help is best? Where can you go to get it? How can you tell if your loved ones need help (even when they insist they don’t)? And even more importantly, how can you talk to them about it?

Are you unsure about how to react to a parent who may be growing unable to care for themselves? The holidays are a great opportunity to spend more time with family. But it can also be a time when you notice subtle changes in an aging parent. Know the warning signs of a loved one who may need your help.   

Some indicators to look for:
1.  Weight loss
Has your loved one lost weight? It may mean they’re not eating well or getting proper nutrition. Check the refrigerator. Lacking healthy options and/or expired dates on food items are tip-offs to poor eating habits.

2.  Poor hygiene
Is your loved one’s appearance a bit disheveled? For someone who prided themselves in a neat appearance, it could be another troubling sign.

3.  Home appearance
Does your loved one’s home appear in disarray? Too much clutter can be dangerous and lead to a fall—the leading cause of injury for older adults.   

4. Forgetfulness
Does your loved one have memory problems? Mild forgetfulness is normal, but having trouble performing simple tasks, like paying bills and keeping appointments, could signal a problem.

5.  Medication management
Your loved one may need assistance with their medication. Do they lack an understanding of what medications to take and when to take them? Look for dates on prescriptions to be sure they are current.

6.  Mood
Does your loved one seem depressed? If their usually bubbly personality is replaced by depression or anger, this might be something that deserves attention.    

If you find yourself needing help with an aging loved one, you might want to consider an assisted living community.  Tinta Wita Tipi in Welch, MN provides meals, health and personal services in beautiful apartment homes. Call Mary at 651-385-3535 to find out more!