By Emily Chesnic
With the ongoing need for extra precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19, Elmcroft of Sagamore Hills – an intimate, assisted-living community –diligently works to protect the physical, cognitive, and emotional health of the residents.
In addition to the social distancing, mask wearing and frequent disinfecting, Elmcroft especially is caring for residents during the pandemic through avenues for continued engagement – offering regular entertainment options to help seniors stay busy.
The objective is to keep residents socializing, moving, thinking, and smiling – ultimately continuing to have fun despite safety measures in place during an unfamiliar pandemic.
“As we move through this COVID-19 landscape, the goal is to provide as many activities as we can, keeping everyone engaged and talking with other people,” said Jamie Cohen, Executive Director at Elmcroft of Sagamore Hills.
Since the start of the pandemic, Elmcroft has focused on supporting the residents in all aspects through the unknown, following all of the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and state and local health guidelines for preventing the spread of COVID-19.
On March 2, Cohen officially began as Executive Director at Elmcroft, just as concerns over COVID-19 began to heighten.
“I started right when everything was happening. No one knew what shape this was going to take,” she said of the pandemic.
During her career, Cohen worked for other assisted living companies, finding none of her previous employers “as proactive as Elmcroft.”
Due to deliberate and intentional planning, Elmcroft of Sagamore Hills has not experienced a shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE).
“We have had everything needed and then some, and that has been so reassuring for our staff,” said Cohen.
COVID-19 restrictions – designed to best protect residents – resulted in no face-to-face visits, road-trip outings, and large get-togethers indoors for a time, sadly, but Elmcroft still found innovative ways for residents to occupy their time, she said.
“Trying to be as creative as possible to make sure residents are engaged with others is so critical at this time,” said Cohen.
Brainstorming by Elmcroft staff this year brought about porch visits with Dexi, a therapy dog; cooking demonstrations from a safe distance, allowing residents to sample new food items; outside musical guests, with face shields in place and everyone maintaining social distancing; craft projects out on the patio; unique exercise programs, with residents even able to take the lead; card games played from a distance; and so much more.
Since COVID-19 recommendations now allow for group gatherings up to 10 people, Elmcroft has been able to get back to offering scenic bus rides, which include safe spacing passengers and the frequent disinfecting of the vehicle. Also, Elmcroft’s dietary director now can lead residents in hands-on experiences, such as cookie decorating and butter churning.
“We currently are trying to line up programming to bring more animals outside, too, because our residents love animals,” said Cohen.
Falls is an exciting time at Elmcroft. This continues to be true regardless of the pandemic. The staff is working on fresh ideas for celebrating the season, including a one-of-a-kind way to observe Halloween, she said.
“We will be involving the families and will do what works best and is the safest for the residents,” Cohen said specifically concerning a possible trick-or-treating event.
Porch visits with loved ones remain popular. The staff of Elmcroft also is working on a “hug booth,” she added.
“Everyone continues to come together as a team to support our residents, their families, and our staff,” Cohen said.
The Executive Director remains proud of the personnel of Elmcroft.
“They are committed to making good choices to keep our vulnerable population and the rest of the staff well,” she said. “Everyone at Elmcroft cares and wants to be safe.”
A sign outside of the Elmcroft community, located on West Aurora Road, near the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, declares “heroes work here,” which Cohen finds fitting.
“I honestly believe that. People have bent over backward to help and support our community here,” she said. “I have been really impressed.”
For Cohen, the “why” is “to help people.”
“In our building, it fills me up seeing people helping others on a daily basis,” she said.
Elmcroft has had one positive COVID-19 case. Everyone was able to pull together to get through it, said the Executive Director.
“We have been all clear for a while and work to maintain that. We follow all of the recommendations of the CDC and local health department,” Cohen said.
She challenges people of all ages to wear their masks and take necessary steps daily to protect themselves, their loved ones, and other people they encounter daily.
While it may be hard for some individuals to understand the rules remaining as the pandemic continues, Cohen wants the community to understand everything done at Elmcroft is for a purpose.
“We are doing this because we love you and care about you and want you to be healthy and safe,” she said.
To find out more about Elmcroft of Sagamore Hills and the assisted living community’s services, including memory and respite care, and restaurant-style dining; as well as the community’s other offerings, which encompass a walking program, vitality club, and farm-to-table food service, connecting residents with locally grown produce, visit www.elmcroft.com or phone (330) 908-1166.
