We are pleased that federal and state officials have prioritized long-term care residents and their caregivers for early COVID-19 vaccinations. Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is one of the best ways to protect those living in and receiving care in our communities. The news of a vaccine gives us hope for the next chapter in our fight against this virus.

Ebenezer communities have been among the first to receive the recently approved COVID-19 vaccine.

In cooperation with the government’s distribution to pharmacies, we have begun administering the very first vaccines to staff and residents in our skilled care communities, and have now started to vaccinate staff and residents within Assisted Living and Memory Care communities. Right now, we are only planning to vaccinate Independent Living residents in our Assisted Living communities. Eventually we will offer the vaccinate to residents in our free-standing rental, cooperative and condominium communities.​

How we will administer the vaccine

Our Pharmacy will vaccinate residents – including Independent Living residents who reside in communities that provide Assisted Living services. Our site nurses will vaccinate staff members.

The vaccine will be administered in 2 doses. After receiving the first dose, the recipient must receive a second dose. It is important to get the SAME MANUFACTURED VACCINE as the first dose.

To ensure that we are getting the vaccine to those who need it most, we will not vaccinate staff or residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 within the last 90 days. We will vaccinate these individuals at a later date.

We strongly encourage staff and residents to get vaccinated

At this time, we are not requiring that all staff and residents get the vaccine, however, we are strongly encouraging it. Vaccinating a significant majority of staff and residents is the only way we will be able to stop the spread of the virus.

About the vaccine

​As part of our continuing effort to provide up-to-date information, we have included the latest information from the CDC along with links to their website.
​

• There are two COVID-19 vaccines currently authorized and recommended for use in the United States, and three other vaccines are currently in large-scale clinical trials. To learn more about the different vaccines for COVID-19 and how vaccines work, click here.
• This vaccine is safe and effective (95% effective). Both the PFIZER and MODERNA vaccine are mRNA vaccines. mRNA technology is new in vaccine production but is already being used in cancer treatment. It has been studied for more than ten years.
• COVID-19 mRNA vaccines teach our cells how to make a piece of a protein to trigger an immune response and build immunity to the virus that causes COVID-19. mRNA does not affect or interact with a person’s DNA, and the cell breaks down and gets rid of the mRNA as soon as it is finished using these instructions. Learn about mRNA vaccines and how they work, by clicking here.
• None of the COVID-19 vaccines currently authorized for use in the United States uses the live virus that causes COVID-19. You may have symptoms like a fever after you get a vaccine. This is normal and a sign that your immune system is learning how to recognize and fight the virus that causes COVID-19. Learn more about the facts behind COVID-19 vaccines, by clicking here.

 
Potential side effects

As with any vaccine, your body may react to the vaccine as those antibodies are being made.  Not everyone will experience this reaction. Below are the most common:

• You may experience have short-term discomfort:  fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills, fever and pain at injection site after vaccination
• These reactions will last for 24-48 hours and are typically more pronounced after the second dose
• Side effects mean your body is doing its job and making antibodies (IT IS A GOOD THING)
• These are normal, common and expected
• If your Doctor has told you it is OK, you can take Tylenol or Ibuprofen prior to receiving the vaccine as well as for the first few days following receiving to minimize such reactions.

When will I be protected? How long will I be immune?

• Most of the vaccines are 2 doses
• Protection occurs 1-2 weeks after the second dose

We will most likely not know how long the vaccine will be protective once we receive it.  We will know more as more time passes in the current research. It is possible we may need to have vaccine shots for COVID-19 on a regular basis (like the flu shot).

How many people need to get a COVID- 19 vaccine for herd immunity?

​Herd immunity means that enough people in a community are protected from getting a disease because they’ve already had the disease or they’ve been vaccinated. Herd immunity makes it hard for the disease to spread from person to person, and it even protects those who cannot be vaccinated, like newborns.
While experts don’t yet know what percentage of people would need to get vaccinated to achieve herd immunity, vaccination is a safer way to build protection than getting sick with COVID-19. Have a question about COVID-19 vaccines? Click here.

Will we still need to wear face masks?

Similar to other types of vaccines, a large number of people in the community will need to get vaccinated before transmission drops enough to stop the use of masks.        
                                               
Is the vaccine safe?

• Safety is the most important priority in vaccine approval
• Everyone receiving the vaccine will be monitored following receiving it
• Monitoring for safety will continue as the vaccine is distributed to the public
• To assess safety FDA typically advises that a minimum of 3,000 participants are included in the trial.  The current COVID-19 vaccine trials include 30,000 to 50,000 participants
• The FDA is using the same strict standards that it has for decades
• No steps are “skipped”
• The FDA has approved the Pfizer vaccine for use

Can Ebenezer residents and staff give consent or decline the vaccine?

Our residents and staff will be asked about their interest in receiving the vaccination and will be asked to sign a consent at some point prior to the vaccination being administered. If they choose to decline, they will be asked to sign a declination. The declination is not binding. Those within our community can receive the vaccine later, if they change their minds.
 
Questions?

It is important to get information from reliable sources (CDC, AMDA, medical directors, medical providers, etc.). Here are some link to information: 

CDC: Vaccines & Immunizations 
CDC: About COVID-19 Vaccines
CDC: Provider Resources for COVID-19 Vaccine Conversations with Patients and Answering Patients’ Questions
Leading Age Minnesota 

There's an old saying: If your loved one forgets where they put their keys, they're probably just distracted, stressed, overworked or all of the above. In other words, it's likely nothing to worry about. If they forget what their keys are for, however, that may be one of the signs they need a little more help - like what they could receive from our senior living, assisted living or memory care.
​
While we offer many care options at Aurora on France, the signs your loved one is ready to make the move into one of our communities is rarely as cut and dried as the example of the keys. In reality, the decision to change your loved one's living arrangements is stressful, emotional and even guilt-inducing. It's difficult to know if "now" is the right time. Recognizing the fact that the time has come is vital to your loved one's care, safety and well-being.
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Of course, that process is about assessing your loved one's needs, behavioral changes and diminishing abilities. It might surprise you to know it's also about you.

What is your level of caregiver stress? According to AARP, some 16 million Americans are full- or part-time caregivers for loved ones. That role can run the gamut from caring for them in your home 24/7, to being on call to check on Mom and Dad or administer their pills as they continue to live on their own. You may be the one who wrestles those proverbial keys away from them for the last time or having the talk about wills, wishes, finances and final arrangements. None of it is easy. Caregiving can get overwhelming quickly, and your mental and physical health can suffer as a result.

One topic that gets brought up frequently is, "When is the right time to move Mom or Dad?"  We advise people who are caregivers to ask themselves several questions that serve to highlight their own state of mind, level of emotional stress and physical health, all of which can be impacted by caregiving.

• Is the caregiving process getting increasingly difficult for you?
• Are you emotionally drained, exhausted or depressed much of the time?
• Are you physically able to get your loved one into the shower or to the bathroom?
• Is your own health failing?
• Do you feel you have nothing in your life except caregiving?
• Have you set many "lines in the sand" in terms of things you just can't deal with on your own, like incontinence, that you deal with anyway?

If any of these feel all too familiar, it may be time to explore the alternatives we offer at Aurora on France.

Changes to watch out for in your loved one: 
Another facet of deciding when the time is right to move a loved one is the change in their behavior that you, as their caregiver, notice. Here are some signs we advise people to watch out for. You can also download this handy checklist of "What to check for when checking on loved ones."

Early changes and signs

• Are they eating? Yes, you may have them signed up for daily deliveries of Meals on Wheels. Are they eating those meals or are they accumulating in the refrigerator?
• Are they getting out to social events with friends, church or family get-togethers? Social isolation is another reason to look into senior living.
• Are they taking care of their home? Maintenance-free living is a great advantage of senior living communities.
• Have you taken away the car keys because of an incident or simply a lack of confidence in their safety to drive?
• Do you trust that they can get to the bathroom on their own at night?
• Have they fallen one or more times?
• Are they repeating favorite stories over and over, more than usual?
• Do they seem increasingly innocent and childlike?
• Are they responsible to pay bills and take their meds on their own?
• Are they keeping up with doctors' appointments?

More serious changes and signs

• Do you believe their health and safety is at risk? Falling, missing medications, not getting to the bathroom in time, having to navigate stairs at home with increasing difficulty, not eating and more all add up. If you feel they're not safe at home, it's time to consider your options seriously.
• Have they been "sundowning"? Sundowner syndrome is very common. It means becoming increasingly agitated, upset, confused or angry as the day winds down.
• Do they wander? This can be extremely stressful for caregivers. You finally take a moment to go into the bathroom or to start dinner, and they are out the door.

If your loved ones are exhibiting these signs, or if you are feeling overwhelmed by caregiving, it's time to seek help. Our senior care specialists are here to help when you're facing the decision to move your loved one into our community. It gives caregivers peace of mind to know their loved one can recieve the care they need and have help available 24/7.

Contact us to learn more about how we can help you and your family with a move to Aurora on France Senior Living.

​Aging comfortably in any setting means taking the time to support and improve your health, and in some cases, that means pain management. This applies whether elders are working with pain regularly, or just every now and again. One thing that may surprise you is a lot of people think that the best way for elders to grapple with this issue is being less active and resting. Not always.
 
Science shows that many people dealing with pain and not exercising enough can end up feeling stiff or tired. Getting active is a great practice for elders of all kinds for a variety of different reasons, and now there’s a new one to add to the list of benefits. So, even for those in an assisted living community in Edina, let’s talk about the fundamentals of a good exercise plan.
 
Planning Your Routine
 
For older people trying to be more active, it’s important to remember that you don’t need to be an athlete in order to start seeing benefits. In fact, anyone at any age can see tangible benefits just by stepping up their activity a small amount than usual. It’s not a bad idea in these cases to try and start off with lighter exercises. This applies even for people who know that they could do more at full strength. Starting lighter gives you a few benefits if you are in the midst of a pain episode rather than just going at full bore. A minor bit of physical activity increases circulation, which can help healing and reduce achy feelings.
 
But what if you decide that you need more acute support with your pain management? There are a lot of root issues that can contribute here, so the first place you want to start is working with a personal trainer/physical therapist. Memory care in Edina is a great starting point to work with these professionals. Their advice will be invaluable when it comes to finding ways to target the muscles where you may feel soreness most often. Developing them can help a lot with these issues. Another thing to be mindful of here is making sure that you aren’t overcompensating with other parts of the body when one part is sore. Building up your balance will make you feel better and avoid overexerting yourself.
 
Some people prefer formal discipline, especially for pain relief. If you’re looking for options here, some of the best options here are T’ai Chi or yoga. Both of these disciplines combine planned stretches and movements to support flexibility and strength. Deep breathing is also combined with these. Some of these people combine the spiritual side of both practices, but deep breathing can also help reduce anxiety.
 
For those who may not be able to do conventional exercise for one reason or another, one of the best options is aquatic therapy. While this isn’t necessarily the most common option available, it’s also held in high regard. This is largely due to the fact that while submerged, you get less impact on your joints from weight and gravity. This makes it easier for you to move around and do certain routines. Along with this, the lower load also combines pain tolerance. Note that any physical routine here will be easier to do in the water, allowing you to move around in ways that you wouldn’t be able to be on a land-based routine. Something like holding to the pool’s edge and moving your legs can help increase your heart rate.
 
Alternative Options
 
Even with these points in place, some people may need to think of alternatives to fill out their exercise routines. This especially applies in areas where you may not be able to do a conventional routine. This generally applies to people at work or traveling. While some people use medication to help reduce soreness, this isn’t always applicable. Let’s talk about some of the alternatives available.
 
Some people may recommend aromatherapy for seniors when exercise isn’t possible. Your success may vary. On its own, aromatherapy can’t likely reduce soreness. However, it complements other measures well. Some people share anecdotes where scented herbs and oils help reduce muscle soreness and help with sleep. Acupuncture runs on similar principles. This helps with short-term relief by increasing blood flow to some parts of the body. Just make sure that you choose a professional you like and trust first.
 
One thing that doesn’t get talked about a lot when it comes to impact is the type of dietary choices you make. If you exercise but are still dealing with soreness, you may want to make sure that you get more vitamin D. This helps with muscle aches. How much you take depends on the recommendations of your medical professionals. Try to take your vitamin D along with your meals, and get sun exposure whenever you can.
 
But what about people feeling sore on the road and wanting relief? If you can’t exercise, consider how you are sitting. Also, any type of activity can be of benefit here. Just try and walk around, stand up, or do some basic stretches. Again, you don’t need to go full-bore to get some benefits when it comes to activity.
 
In some cases, due to issues with traveling or just the reduced amount of comfort involved, these may not be the first choices for elders wanting to get their exercise routine started. However, if you have any long-term goals with this, getting some sort of professional framework and support is essential. So, if you are a resident at senior housing in Edina, before trying something new, try to talk to the medical professionals on staff first. This will ensure that you’re safe no matter what you want to try. Exercising within your limits and practicing good dietary habits are key to improving your overall health and quality of life.

Although we cannot be with every senior during this time or peoples with compromised health systems, we still want to be a resource. Our Corporate Registered Dietitian will be putting together some short video segments to provide nutrition tips and fun little recipes for people to try on their own. We are hopeful that with these precautions we will be able to move on to our “normal lives” soon.
Nutrients found in foods can help boost our immune systems and provide our bodies with extra protection. That being said, it is not guaranteed that any of the foods will actually prevent you from ever becoming sick. However, here are just a few foods that can give us a little help in staying healthy!

• Carrots, mangos, broccoli, spinach, tomatoes and sweet potatoes- all contain Beta Carotene, a naturally occurring retinol precursor that can help stimulate the release of natural killer cells, lymphocytes and monocytes while inhibiting free-radical damage to DNA.
• Citrus fruits, berries, melons, bell peppers, broccoli and tomatoes- contain Vitamin C which supports other cellular functions and has antioxidant properties. Vitamin C helps direct immune cells (neutrophils) to sites of infections.
• Fatty fish, eggs and fortified milks & juice- contain vitamin D which has anti-inflammatory properties that can counteract microbial infections in addition to inflammation.
• Beef, seafood, bean, tofu and nuts- good sources of Zinc that is critical for normal development and function of cells that can help fight infection & heal wounds. Zinc may also reduce the duration of the common cold and reduce risk of upper respiratory infections in children.
• Cultured dairy products and fermented foods- provide probiotics to promote good gut health
• Dairy products, eggs, beef, chicken, seafood, nuts, seeds, beans and lentils- great sources of protein which is crucial to build, maintain and repair body tissue. Antibodies that help fight disease are made of protein (amino-acids).

During these trying times, focus on having a healthy balance in your life including eating well, moving (as much as possible) and getting adequate sleep. Aim for 5-7 servings of fruits and veggies daily to get these immune boosting minerals, vitamins and antioxidants!

Of course, proper hand hygiene is one of the most effective way to help prevent the spread of germs. We would also like to remind everyone to properly clean utensils, glassware and other serving dishes. Refrain from sharing silverware, cups, bottles, etc… to avoid the spread of germs from on to another.
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The recipe today is one that our Registered Dietitian Becca thinks we all deserve at this time because it features steak! Steak is a wonderful source of protein, zinc and iron. Pairing foods like steak with other foods containing vitamin C (strawberries) helps our bodies absorb iron more efficiently too!

Did the stuffing taste the same this year?  Perhaps instead of sage there was cinnamon in it.  These types of things happen from time to time and generally are nothing to worry about unless you really despise cinnamon stuffing.  There are a few other things we want you to be aware of, please read the rest of this article for a few more important things to check out beyond the food.

 Aging. It’s difficult to see—especially in those you love. What are the signs of normal aging . . . of Alzheimer’s and other dementia?  Can your parents or loved ones care for themselves without help? What kind of help is best? Where can you go to get it? How can you tell if your loved ones need help (even when they insist they don’t)? And even more importantly, how can you talk to them about it?
Here are some indicators to watch for:
Weight loss
Are your loved ones eating? Missing meals can be a sign of depression or dementia.  The most common reason, however, is that shopping for and preparing meals might just be too much for them to handle.
 
Poor hygiene
Does your loved one look disheveled? Is he or she wearing dirty clothes, skipping baths? Sometimes fear of falling in the tub or shower can cause them to neglect their personal hygiene.
 
Decline in home appearance
What about their home? Are there piles of clutter? Dirty dishes, lots of laundry, unemptied trash, or spoiled food everywhere? If your former “neat-nik” loved one is now living in clutter this is cause for concern.
 
Forgetfulness
Is your loved one often confused?  Over drawing bank accounts, missing bill payments? Do you often need to “redirect” them.  This kind of cognitive decline can be
• Problems with medication management
• Mood swings
 
If you find yourself needing help with an aging loved one, Aurora on France can help.
• Transitional Care Units
• Assisted Living 
• Memory Care
 
Want to get the conversation started? Get a FREE copy of
the book “Mom, Dad...Can We Talk?” visit go.fairview.org/book

As we approach the holidays, we realize how much we have to be thankful for in our lives.
Thanksgiving in my house growing up usually involved us traveling to see family. My grandpa was a great cook and would always make the turkey just right! For me, Thanksgiving is all about the turkey. Nowadays, my husband does not like turkey, so he ends up getting some steak (more turkey for me!). Turkey is a good source of lean protein, vitamin B-6 and niacin which are essential for protein, fat & carbohydrate metabolism to produce energy in the body.
Another Thanksgiving staple, pumpkin pie, also yields some health benefits, Pumpkin is a good source of vitamin C, calcium, potassium and fiber. Pumpkin also contains carotenoids which include beta carotene and lutein which is important for eye health. You can control the amount of sugar and fats in pumpkin pie by using plain pumpkin puree and evaporated milk instead of heavy cream.
While our main focus on the Thanksgiving meal is to enjoy it with friends and family, we should pay attention to the safety of foods during preparation and storage. Stuffing (or dressing) is unfortunately a cause for food poisoning if not cooked correctly. When stuffing the Thanksgiving bird, a general guideline is to plan for about 1 cup of prepared stuffing per pound of uncooked turkey.  Use a food thermometer to ensure the internal temperature of the stuffing reaches 165 degrees. Store leftover stuffing in a separate container than turkey when finished.
And now, a recipe:
Pumpkin Pie Dip (adapted from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics)
This dip would be great to have available as guests arrive and start mingling, watching football and waiting for the main event!
Ingredients:

• I package cream cheese (room temperature)
• ½ C Greek yogurt
• 1 can pumpkin (no sugar added)
• 2 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground allspice
• 1 tsp ground cloves
• 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
• 3 Tbsp agave sweetener
• 2 Tbsp brown sugar
• Pinch of salt

 
Directions:

• Combine cream cheese and yogurt in food processor or blender (can also use hand beaters if needed) and blend until smooth.
• Add the remaining ingredients and continue blending until smooth.
• Cover & refrigerate for at least 30 minutes prior to serving.
• Serve with pita chips, pretzels and sliced apples.

 
Happy Thanksgiving to All!
Rebecca Kapsen, RDN, LDN
Ebenezer Corporate Registered Dietitian