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…

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…

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…

As we continue to follow stay at home orders that include restricting visitors at The Nathaniel Witherell, it’s easy to get frustrated with the lack of connection to loved ones. But, it’s important to remember that this inconvenience is not only temporary, it’s critical to the health and well-being of everyone at the Witherell. According…