Our chaplaincy team plays a huge role at the Witherell, tending to the spiritual needs of our many residents and providing solace, support, study, and celebration. A few days ago, the team contributed the following message for one of our internal newsletters, in light of the fact that the Passover and Easter holidays will be…
At a recent birthday party for a woman turning 80, the gifts were piled high and her anticipation was great. But after opening the first six, she got a little cranky. “Oh no, not another nightgown! I don’t spend my days in bed!” It produced a good laugh, but it also highlighted the fact that…
It’s almost cliché that Bingo and senior health facilities go hand and hand. Here at the Witherell, residents play the game every week, but so do millions of others elsewhere. Bingo is even played online. Pretty interesting considering the game is nearly 500 years old. We wondered, why, after all these centuries, is Bingo so…
It was five years ago that Mary Tate, Witherell’s Coordinator, Volunteer and Resident Services, decided that the corporate track was no longer for her. She wanted a change. Formerly employed in human resources by Walt Disney Co, Berkshire Hathaway and the United States Olympic Committee, Mary set her sights on the nonprofit sector. Shortly thereafter,…
The other day, we were in a supermarket and heard a small ruckus. A 40-ish woman was barking at an older woman. At first, we wondered what was wrong. As it turned out, nothing. The younger woman was merely speaking very loudly, assuming that either the older woman couldn’t hear or couldn’t understand. The incident…
Residents and visitors to the Witherell say our clean, perfectly maintained, beautiful campus makes everyone feel at home. But, managing a facility where 200+ short and long-term residents live, plus a 20-acre campus, is no small task. Lucky for all, the Witherell has two pros at the helm. Together, they and their staff manage daily…
If you’ve lived, visited, volunteered, or worked at the Witherell, you know that music is a key part of our culture. We regularly host performances by local choirs and orchestras, and even provide music appreciation classes. Recognizing how music supports the emotional, spiritual, and physical well-being of our seniors, we made a commitment long ago…
Nurses are the backbone of any healthcare facility, and that’s especially true in skilled nursing. The Nathaniel Witherell is quite lucky in this regard; our nursing team is second to none and our dedicated nurses are specialists in elder care. As a town-owned and operated facility, our nursing culture is supportive, welcoming, and nurturing. Perhaps…
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…
