How have people coped during the pandemic? Some insights have been gained in a study recently released by Mather Lifeways, an 80-year-old not-for-profit organization whose programs include senior living, community-based initiatives, and aging research. Mather’s study focused on resident stress and resilience during the pandemic. Participants included 3,441 residents of 122 senior living and healthcare…
In a June 24th letter to residents and staff of The Mayflower Community (Grinnell IA), Executive Director, Steve Langerud, announced changes to the face masking and visitor policies. Citing guidance from regulators along with the improving status of the pandemic, Langerud noted that Mayflower is relaxing a few precautions that have been in place. Because…
Grinnell’s Mayflower Community has acquired a second “Clorox 360®” machine to deal with the coronavirus. This innovative electrostatic sprayer, with special nozzle, delivers Clorox disinfectants and sanitizers to the front, back, bottom, and sides of surfaces. This coverage provides better germ protection than is possible with human wiping as it disinfects hard-to-reach surfaces. Although sprayed…
On Monday, October 19th, residents of The Mayflower Community met virtually via Zoom to conduct the business of the Mayflower Residents Association (MRA). The meeting was conducted by President Gene Wubbels and included offerings from four other Executive Officers. In addition, chairs of 12 different standing committees provided annual reports of their activities. Even during…
Recently, a resident of Grinnell’s Mayflower Community received a phone call from a party identified on her caller ID as another resident. Happy to hear from this party, the resident answered the phone with a cheerful greeting. As it turned out, not only was it not the other resident, it was a telephone solicitor (nicer…
Recently, a coalition of local organizations launched the “Mask Up Grinnell” campaign to encourage the wearing of face masks in Grinnell. According to Grinnell Mayor, Dan Agnew, a Mayflower Community resident, the City Council met in July with a University of Iowa Hospitals infectious disease doctor to determine how to support Grinnell businesses and organizations…
Do you recall the 40,000 piece puzzle begun by The Mayflower Community resident, John Noer, in February 2019? John just finished the 9th of 10 frames—“Ariel the Little Mermaid.” The 10-frame Disney characters puzzle produced by Ravensburger has been in process in the Mayflower Basement Craft Room in sections. John has completed nine of the…
The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is now requiring all long-term care facility employees to be tested regularly for COVID-19 as of September 2, 2020. The Mayflower Community has decided that this will be 100% of our staff of approximately 140 employees as any could have contact with staff who work directly…
So, how do you worship during the pandemic? Houses of worship closed. Social distancing. Face masks. Restrained singing. Limited pastoral visits. It is difficult. As some houses of worship are slowly reopening, the safest venue continues to be ONLINE. In addition, some faith groups are finding ways to gather safely. As you can see in…
Beware of COVID-19 Contract Tracing Scams Here is the newest COVID-19 scam as reported to The Mayflower Community administrative staff: “Good morning. According to our system, you are likely to have been in close proximity to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. This means that you now need to self-isolate for 7 days and…