Aug 6, 2020 | Community, Planning for Retirement
If you’re interested in pursuing life here in the near future, join our waiting list. You can learn more about the various benefits our waiting list members enjoy on our Stay Connected page.
Currently, our waiting list for the Founders Campus can exceed 3-5 years depending on the home style you prefer. On the Warwick Woodlands Campus, Phase II carriage homes and townhomes are all sold out and under construction; the waiting list for homes or apartments on this campus can exceed a year or two at this point.
Request more information, call our Residential Living Sales Center at 717-626-0214 or email info@moravianmanor.org.
Aug 4, 2020 | Community
In celebration of National Golf Month, where golfers are encouraged to share their experience and bring new golfers to the greens, we’re highlighting our 18-hole golf group today.
If it’s a Tuesday in-season and the weather is remotely nice, chances are the golf group from Moravian Manor Communities is out playing 18 holes at a local course.
Resident Dale Matt is one of three original group members, along with Tom Bender and Larry Lawrence, who started golfing together eight years ago. Today, the group has 20 players and Dale coordinates their tee time at different courses throughout the season.
“Last year, we played at 27 different courses mostly within a one-hour driving time from Lititz,” commented Dale. “Obviously, we got started later this year due to the quarantine. Some of our members are residents, others are on the waiting list to move to our community. Mary Ellen Kopetz is currently our only female member of the group, and we welcome others to come join us!”
Dale continued, “When I set up the tee times, I generally reserve three times. Normally, we have a core group of twelve players. I know several of our group who play multiple days during the week too.”
Members of the golf group also have played some local tournaments, including the Lititz recCenter Tournament as well as the one for Warwick Educational Foundation. Last year, Mike Wolfe, Moravian Manor Communities’ Director of Information Technology, played with them. “Golf has been a hobby of mine for about 20 years now,” said Mike. “I believe the sport is one of only a few that allows you to spend hours of a day with someone, say little, and yet learn so much about them. In our busy world, there are few opportunities to spend time with someone, sharing quiet moments and small victories. I will always believe that walking or riding in a cart alongside someone is a bonding experience. As an employee of Moravian Manor Communities, I have great care and respect for the residents. I was honored to have the opportunity to spend more time with our resident golfers and get to know them better. Hopefully, we will be hitting the links again soon!”
“Generally, we are out to have fun each week,” Dale said with a chuckle. “The skill level varies among the group. Unfortunately, for some of us, our golf has not improved. But I believe that all who have played with us have had a good time and enjoyed the day, sometimes in spite of the golf! While, I’m not sure we have a favorite course, we probably have favorite holes at the local public golf courses around Lancaster, York, Chester, Dauphin, Berks and Lebanon Counties. I know Tom and most of us enjoy the second hole at Galen Hall, the drop hole as well as the first hole at Sunset Golf Course, which is on the main approach to Middletown airport. Also, the first hole at Iron Valley, which has an unbelievable view of Lebanon County, the par five at Crossgates along the Conestoga river, and the drop hole at Cool Creek. We’ve also have been able to play at a number of the private courses, thanks to some of our members who are still members of the private courses.”
If you’re interested in joining the group, reach out to Dale or check the weekly Community Life Notes to see where they’re playing next. The group is open to all residents and wait list members of Moravian Manor Communities…see you on the course!
Aug 3, 2020 | COVID Update
From: David Swartley, President/CEO
Date: August 3, 2020
RE: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update #23
As I’ve discussed in my earlier updates, Moravian Manor Communities has been rigorously following all infection control protocols stipulated by the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) and the United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for COVID-19. But despite our best efforts, recent testing confirmed on August 3, 2020, that a staff member in our maintenance department has tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by this Coronavirus.
There is no reason for panic – while our staff and fellow residents have worked tirelessly to prevent this highly contagious virus from entering our community, we have also been preparing for this possibility. Our team member is resting and self-isolating at home. We have been in contact with the DOH and are taking every step possible to limit future exposure. We are thoroughly investigating the source of the exposure and will reach out to every known person with whom the affected team member has been in contact within our facility. We will continue to monitor residents and team members with the risk of exposure per state and federal guidelines.
Unfortunately, this occurrence puts a temporary halt to our scheduled visitations in our care areas. We have suspended visitations immediately, per DOH guidelines. Also, we are implementing the following short-term precautions:
- Warwick Woodlands residents will not be permitted to dine in the Garden Court Dining room.
- All group in person activities are cancelled until we receive results of universal testing.
- Maintenance will address only essential work orders until testing is completed.
- Universal testing will be implemented for all team members (required by DOH).
Moravian Manor Communities has long had a robust infection control system in place. We will continue to aggressively screen staff and other essential personnel for any signs of exposure before and after each shift. We will also continue to limit the contact of necessary care personnel to specialized areas within the facility and keep our heightened hygiene practices.
Our Medical Director continues to keep us apprised of the latest recommendations from the CDC and the PA Department of Health. For those of you seeking additional information, continuous updates are available at the following websites:
Jul 30, 2020 | Wellness
As summer temperatures start to soar, so do the concerns around dehydration particularly in seniors. Family members and caregivers who check in on elderly parents or relatives should be aware of prevention measures, how to recognize the signs, and properly handle dehydration.
“When our bodies are not consuming enough fluid to balance the water lost (i.e. through exercise, illness, increased urination, drinking alcohol, etc.), we can become dehydrated. The importance of drinking water every day cannot be over emphasized, especially during hot days,” explained Dr. Lynn Swisher, NHA, Vice President pf Health Services at Moravian Manor Communities. “Our body is 60% water and we must remember to keep our water intake in balance and not become dehydrated.”
Dr. Swisher pointed out several signs of dehydration as:
- Reduced cognitive processing
- Thirst
- Dry mouth
- Dizziness
- Infrequent urination & dark colored urine
- Confused or dazed state of awareness
“Another more concerning fact is that dehydration can place those with clotting disorders at increased risk for a stroke,” she continued.
What Can Cause Dehydration in Seniors
While many cases of dehydration in seniors occurs when someone does not drink enough water, it may happen for other reasons including diarrhea, increased excessive sweating, loss of blood, and underlying health issues such as diabetes. Many prescribed over-the-counter medications can also cause dehydration as a side effects, such as diuretics, blood pressure and anti-depression medications.
For seniors, there are also physical changes with an aging body that can make them more at risk for dehydration. Older adults often have a reduced physical sense of thirst, so even if their body needs more fluids, they might not realize it. By the time they feel thirsty, that’s already an indication of early dehydration. Seniors also have less lean tissue in their body composition, where the body stores water,
In addition, body composition changes that come with aging can impact seniors and proper hydration. The body is made up of around 60% water, mostly stored in lean tissue. Because seniors have less lean tissue due to these physical changes, they already have less stored water in their bodies to start with than younger adults.
Mobility also comes into play, as seniors may have a more difficult time getting up to get something to drink or it’s too much of an effort to visit the restroom frequently if they are properly hydrating. Kidney function also can deteriorate as we age, making it harder to conserve fluids.
Another common cause of dehydration is the fact that many of the early symptoms can be attributed to medical conditions, medication side effects or others reasons that get dismissed as something other than dehydration.
How Dehydration Affects Seniors
Regardless of age, our bodies need water for a variety of functions. Water helps regulate our body temperature through sweating, carries nutrients to cells, pumps blood to muscles, supports mental performance, lubricates and cushions joints, and eliminates bodily waste. This is why even becoming mildly dehydrated can have serious consequences for seniors.
Without proper hydration, memory and attention can be impacted, and seniors may have slower reaction times in addition to low blood pressure, weakness, dizziness and the increased risk of falls. In addition, dehydration can lead to an increased risk for kidney stones, urinary tract infections, constipation and respiratory tract infections. Underlying health conditions like cardiac or renal problems can also be impacted by poor hydration and lead to unexpected hospital stays.
Recognizing Common Signs & Symptoms
Detecting when a senior is dehydrated is not always easy as the symptoms can be subtle. In addition to the list provided above, these are other signs to watch for in seniors.
- Dry or sticky mouth and tongue
- Decreased urination or constipation or trouble using the bathroom; dark or deep yellow urine
- Cramping in limbs
- Headaches
- Low sweat production
- Exhaustion or change in mood
- Weakness, general feeling of being unwell
- Sleepiness or irritability
- Drop in blood pressure
- Rapid heart rate
- Breathing faster than normal
- Convulsions
- Severe cramping and muscle contractions in limbs, back and stomach
- Difficulty walking
- Mental confusion or disorientation
- Bloated stomach
- Rapid but weak pulse
- Dry skin
- Sunken eyes with few or no tears
- Skin that doesn’t bounce back/less skin elasticity
Recovering from Dehydration
It’s imperative that seniors who are dehydrated and showing symptoms seek the advice of their physician. Individuals with mild cases may be directed to drink water or electrolyte drinks such as Gatorade to replenish lost water and minerals. Severe cases require medical intervention and will most likely be hospitalized and rehydrated intravenously.
Tips for Seniors to Stay Hydrated
One of the most important aspect for seniors to know is to drink even when they don’t feel thirsty. While they may not be able to drink a full 8 ounces at a time, sipping on water throughout the day can support their health. Perhaps keeping a glass or bottle of water near a favorite chair, on the kitchen counter, or by the bed can remind them to take little sips throughout the entire day.
While water is best, drinking only water can be boring. Adding some fruit or flavoring to water can help tempt the taste buds to keep drinking. Juice can be very high in sugar, so try a 50/50 mixture of juice and water if desired. Tea and coffee with caffeine, as well as alcohol, can have a diuretic effect, which leads to loss of body water, and thus should not be considered toward the daily fluid intake goal. Herbal teas or noncaffeinated beverages would be better choices to support proper hydration.
There are also plenty of foods that are high in water content that can help seniors reach their goal. Water-rich foods include watermelon, strawberries, cantaloupe, peaches, oranges, grapes, cucumbers, lettuce, zucchini, celery, yogurt, coconut water, broths and soup, skim milk, and more.
To help determine how much water you need each day, a good formula to take one-third of your weight and drink that number of ounces in water daily (160-lb person would need 60 ounces of water daily).
Seniors with certain medical conditions, particularly heart failure, may have more specific water needs, and should always consult with their doctor before changing liquid intake goals.
