Maintaining social distance from elderly family members during the pandemic was challenging but necessary. Now, as more people are fully vaccinated, we’re reveling in those joyful reunions. For those whose parents or grandparents live independently, that first visit after months apart can offer valuable insight into a senior’s health and well-being. Typically, adult children notice…

The job of a social worker in a skilled nursing facility is challenging and complex. It generally involves overseeing the psycho-social well-being of hundreds of seniors, while also supporting family members before, during, and after the transition of a loved one to long-term care. During the last year, however, the pandemic brought new challenges: health…

As spring approaches, optimism is in the air! As of this writing, most of our residents have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and we continue to make strides in vaccinating all staff. New federal data now show that the number of new COVID-19 cases in nursing homes has dropped dramatically since December, when vaccinations of…

Time and treatment are critical when caring for someone with sepsis—the body’s life-threatening response to infection that can lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and even death. But once someone survives sepsis, the journey is often not over. For that reason, the Witherell’s Sepsis Care Program is an important resource for patients, physicians, and hospital…

In early January, the Nathaniel Witherell began vaccinating our residents and staff against COVID-19. As of today, many at our facility have been fully vaccinated and our clinics will continue providing vaccinations this month. In the words of our medical director, Dr. Frank Walsh, “It’s important for us all to do everything we can to…

When you have a parent who is an older adult, gatherings during the holidays present a great opportunity to get a sense of how they’re doing, both physically and emotionally. You might notice that things aren’t quite what they should be; there may be signs of decline. Questions come to mind, like: Has dad lost…

As we look ahead to Thanksgiving, and Christmas and Chanukah shortly thereafter, one thing is clear: 2020 is going to require some new holiday traditions. Although the classic Thanksgiving meal is something we all look forward to, we know the holidays are about more than food and gifts. They’re really about being with family and…

When patients are hospitalized after an illness or surgery, they’re often discharged to the Witherell for “step-down” care to continue their recovery. Once patients are well enough to return home, our team creates a discharge plan to ensure that they are well cared for after the Witherell. This may include a referral for home care,…

When patients are hospitalized, the goal of the hospital staff is to facilitate a full and complete recovery. But, sending a patient home too soon could result in re-hospitalization. Extending a patient’s hospital stay to ensure full recovery is costly and can put patients at risk for hospital acquired infections. The Nathaniel Witherell’s short term…