Our World Outside the Witherell Walls

The Witherell’s beautiful 20+ acre campus is one of our most enviable features. With lush gardens and plenty of green space, our residents have always loved spending time outdoors. Now, blue skies and warm breezes are making the Witherell a wonderful place to enjoy the company of friends and family at safe social distances, too. In fact, although activities and visitation have been revised to keep our residents and staff safe, the great outdoors have proven to be a great place for us to host the activities our residents rely on.

In August, our family visitations expanded to our Rose Garden. Weather permitting, residents can be seated at a safe distance from family (all are masked), to enjoy a chance to catch up and check-in. Our staff has been instrumental in making these visits a hit. Each visit lasts for about 25 minutes, and are scheduled on weekdays by appointment. Residents can visit with two family members at a time, and are brought out by staff (no touching is permitted).

Here’s a recent photo of a socially distant family visit:

Our Friendship Garden has also proven to be a beautiful setting for expanded offerings of religious services for our residents. The Witherell regularly offers spiritual and pastoral care, and this emotional, social, and spiritual support is an important part of quality of life for the elderly. Rosary and Protestant services were recently held outside in our center courtyard and residents enjoyed services in seating that was shaded and socially distant. The Witherell also recently welcomed a new chaplain to our team—Kate Noonan Glaser. Kate is a graduate of Yale Divinity School and was a pastoral associate of faith at a church here in Greenwich.

Here is a photo or our residents enjoying religious services “al fresco”…

As we continue to create a “new normal” at the Witherell that enriches the lives of the beloved seniors we’re honored to care for, hats off to our staff, our families, and our residents for all coming together in a positive and proactive way to keep everyone happy and healthy!