For residents of the Nathaniel Witherell, seeing family members and friends is an important part of staying healthy. With the advent of Covid-19, we’ve encouraged visitation, by adhering to the strictest protocols from CMS and the State of Connecticut in order to protect our vulnerable residents. On January 19, 2022, Governor Lamont issued Executive Order…

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…

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…

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…

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…

The pandemic has certainly challenged us all. For nursing home residents and their families, balancing regular visitation with health and safety protocols has been especially difficult. But, thanks to some creative brainstorming from our team at the Witherell, we’ve recently pioneered unique and innovative visitation solutions. The Witherell has become the first skilled nursing facility…

Making the decision to move a family member to a skilled nursing facility is tough in normal circumstances, but during a pandemic, it’s even more challenging. One worries about the health and safety of loved ones, and about the possibility of not being able to visit. But, keeping a family member at home when they…

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….

Safeguarding the health of our residents is number one. But we also know that an essential part of well-being, and an important tool in preventing cognitive decline, is keeping seniors mentally engaged and emotionally connected. So, we’ve gotten very creative lately! Even though group activities are restricted currently, our therapeutic recreation team continues to offer…