In London and elsewhere in the UK, the phenomenon of the “talking bench” has taken hold. No, these park benches don’t actually speak to you when you sit down. Rather, they are designated to encourage conversation, and as it turns out, play an important role in mitigating the loneliness that can plague older adults and…
Volunteers are the lifeblood of the Nathaniel Witherell, connecting and building community and helping to enrich the lives of our residents. (pictured above: l-r Mary Tate, Volunteer Coordinator; Chef Thomas Russell; Carissa Ronish, Therapeutic Recreation Director. “Volunteers play an incredibly important role here,” notes Mary Tate, who coordinates all volunteer activity for the…
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,…
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…
The Witherell, like all skilled nursing facilities across the country, has been challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic. Keeping our residents and staff healthy has been our focus 24/7, even before the current health crisis but even more since. We are endlessly grateful to our dedicated staff who are pouring all their energy into the work…
Visitors and volunteers are a big part of life at the Witherell. Since we’ve had to restrict both during the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve gotten creative. The good news is that our therapeutic recreation staff, social workers and chaplaincy have risen to the occasion. We’ve implemented many unique opportunities to offer (safe) interaction and activity for…
This year’s Fairfield County Giving Day begins at midnight on February 27th, kicking off a full-day fundraising drive for community nonprofits like The Witherell. Funds raised support important Resident Life programs at the Witherell—like art lessons, exercise classes, birthday celebrations, and even flowers for our interfaith chapel! Help us meet our $7,500 fundraising goal. Your…
If you’ve ever had a loved one at the Witherell or visited our beautiful campus, you’ve probably seen the imprint of the Friends of Nathaniel Witherell—the charitable group that raises funds to benefit our residents’ lives. Funds raised by the Friends touch every corner of our facility, and we’re tremendously grateful for their tireless dedication…
The Friends of Nathaniel Witherell have tapped New York Times columnist Jane Brody to share her wisdom on brain health and healthy aging at a luncheon to benefit the work of The Friends of Nathaniel Witherell, Thursday, November 7, at Greenwich Country Club, beginning at 11:30 a.m. This event is a continuation of Witherell’s popular…
