Seniors who call our community home expect the best, including a clean and healthy environment, compassionate health care providers, and vibrant programming to meet their social and emotional needs. Our health care team strives to exceed expectations each and every day, but now, with limitations associated with COVID-19, we must be more creative than ever to bring joy to our seniors.
 
We’ve thrown our normal calendar of activities out the window and quickly adapted our methods. The results are outstanding! Here’s what we’ve done thus far:

• Personalized approach – Just because we are practicing protective isolation doesn’t mean human interaction has disappeared. We’ve reallocated staff to focus specifically on resident life enrichment and activities. Our team members are assigned to specific areas of our community to build and maintain relationships with our residents. By getting to know our residents on an even more personal level, we can help build trust and calm fear in these stressful times.
• Small group activities – Our team is focused on activities that can be shared among residents in small groups of five people or less. This includes playing games, completing craft projects and spending time connecting to combat concerns of social isolation.
• Activity modification – We’ve adapted our BINGO to playing in rooms and residents enthusiastically ring bells to announce their BINGO. We have an indoor ice cream truck that plays fun music as it winds its way through the halls. Being silly, fun and finding moments to laugh is key.
• “Room Service” – To cater to our residents who would rather stay in their rooms, we offer Activities via “Room Service.” Our team delivers individualized activities like reading materials, books to journal, puzzles, cards and sensory kits, which are especially helpful for our memory care residents.
• Utilizing technology – We’re using our campus television channel to stream videos, listen to music, share news and resident stories and even encourage light exercises. We’re also utilizing online tours of museums and zoos to keep our residents engaged.
• Chaplain Services – The benefit of living in a senior community is the opportunity to take advantage of the wealth of resources that are available to all residents. One area that has been especially helpful recently is our chaplain services. Chaplains are available to provide spiritual support to our residents, both in small group and individualized settings. Our team is hosting worship services, chaplain chats, group rosary and a daily devotion.
• Family support – The absence of visitors has forced our families to flex their creative muscles! Families have made phone calls, video calls, window visits and hung signs up outside for their loved ones to see. We’ve delivered cards and letters from families, kids and neighbors who offer supportive thoughts to our residents. On St. Patrick’s Day, KARE 11 captured one of our residents celebrating his 87th birthday with his family singing, dancing and playing a trumpet outside his window. Now this is fun! To watch this celebration: https://www.kare11.com/video/news/local/breaking-the-news/surprise-birthday-party-at-bloomington-nursing-home/89-6e19be23-d9de-4087-af4c-b2e8f1a37821
  
  

Our health care team has always been devoted to creating enriching activities for residents in our senior community. Now, more than ever, we are steadfast in our commitment to ensuring our residents’ physical, emotional and social needs are being met. That’s why we’ve been named to the list of “Best Nursing Homes” by U.S. News & World Report. Contact us today to learn more about our exceptional community! You can reach Kate at 952-948-5181 for details.

​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.
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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!