February 2021
Your Monthly News & Updates - February 2021
Letter from Lisa Clark and Carlene Rhea
Please read this month's letter from Lisa Clark and Carlene Rhea.

COVID-19 Vaccine
We are so grateful to Pfizer and our vaccine partner, CVS Pharmacy, for bringing the COVID-19 vaccine to our community.

We have completed the first "round" of vaccine clinics for the entire campus. On January 27th, the second vaccine was administered to nursing home residents and staff.

We will hold "second dose" vaccine clinics on the following dates. Everyone who has elected to receive the shot has been notified of their appointment time.
Assisted Living - February 6
Independent Living - February 10

We continue to adhere to all safety protocols required by the State and to educate our residents and staff. A new program is helping them to understand if any of these protocols are impacted by the vaccine.
Safety Protocols
We are so thankful for your ongoing support as we focus on protecting our patients, residents and staff by following all guidelines put forth by our local and national health agencies.

We are restricting in-person visits at this time, except for compassionate care and end-of-life.

We encourage families to set up a virtual visit through: Kathy.Cookson@McLeanCare.org
(860-658-3725)
Construction Updates -
The McLean Village Expansion
The expansion project for the new Goodrich building in the Village is taking shape and is on schedule to open June 2022! We are sharing a view here from the Atwater neighborhood!

Virtual Information Sessions are being offered weekly by our marketing team. If you would like to learn more about these brand new apartment homes overlooking Hop Meadow Golf Course, call 860-658-3786 to sign up!

Click the link below to watch our slideshow and see some of the progress!

Health Center Enhancements
The Health Center Living Room looks especially warm and inviting with the addition of our new furniture and carpeting. We are working on the last touches and can't wait until we are able to welcome you back in to join us in this space.

A number of other projects are progressing nicely:

  • We have completed the work on the interior of our Chapel, as well as the roof. The Chapel will be reopened, pending approval from the Fire Marshal.

  • We look forward to finishing the painting of our new rooftop terrace.

  • The stonework on our new entrance sign is finished and we are waiting for white fencing to be installed. See how beautiful it looks with the fresh fallen snow in the picture to the right.
Dining News
The International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative (IDDSI) at McLean

We are excited to be implementing the International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative (IDDSI) at McLean this February. This effort has been in development for the past several years, and will greatly enhance the dining experience for residents who have problems chewing and swallowing.

Link here for more information on IDDSI
Health Center Activities
The Winter Art Show, pictured to the right, is beautifully displayed outside the Pfrman Dining Room. It features paintings, poetry and other creations our residents have made over the past nine months.

Residents are keeping engaged in a number of ways. Some of the activities on the February calendar include:

  • The Mardi Gras Jolly Trolley will visit every neighborhood
  • Valentine's Day celebration for our couples: Dining is creating a special menu, along with flowers and bubbly for the occasion. The New England Chorus will be sharing a “singing Valentine E-gram”.
  • Various community groups and individuals have reached out to us and will be sending special Valentine cards that will be distributed.
  • A healing music program is scheduled for selected residents. More to come on this special program!
  • Book Club will be meeting virtually. Link here for more information.

We are all so optimistic that we will be able to resume small group activities later this month. Residents are looking forward to taking outside trips in the McLean van (with a maximum of two residents from the same neighborhood for each ride).
Assisted Living Winter Art Show
February Dining
Dining Services has planned some wintery treats to keep residents nourished and entertained this month. Some of the themes they have incorporated into the menu are:

February 5 - Enjoy Chef's special chili recipe!
February 7 - Super Bowl Sunday - Enjoy some fun, sporty snacks! BBQ wings, curly fries with celery sticks and ranch dressing, or pepperoni pizza.
February 11 - Prime Night! Beef tenderloin stroganoff over red bliss mashed potatoes, vegetable medley and a raspberry ribbon brownie for dessert
February 12 - Celebrate the Chinese New Year
February 19 - Celebrate Chocolate Lovers' Month with Molten Lava Cake
February 26 - Chef's Bread Pudding for dessert
Prime Night Dinner