ClareOaks SENIOR LIVING Straight talk about our pandemic response Most people have their hands full as they adjust to myriad changes necessitated by the COVID-19 global pandemic. That goes double for Gigi Walker, CEO of Clare Oaks, the continuing care retirement community in Bartlett. Under Walker's management, Clare Oaks has been among the leaders in adopting directives issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). Having previously directed financial operations for a variety of enterprises, Walker joined Clare Gigi Walker, CEO of Clare Oaks Oaks in 2010 and became CEO in the summer of their meals and honor social distancing. 2018. Since then she has instituted programs and efficiencies that have positioned the community to meet the current crisis. She took a few minutes We've reminded people that anyone who allows a non-essential visitor into Clare Oaks poses an imminent risk of harm to themselves and their from another incredibly busy day to answer some questions about Clare Oaks' response to fast- moving events. What is the "restricted visitation" policy? friends and neighbors-because as we've all come to learn, older adults and those with chronic medical conditions are at heightened risk when exposed to COVID-19. Is all this really necessary? Well you tell me. In the last week alone, the number of new cases in Illinois more than Right now, we only allow essential visitors onto the Clare Oaks campus. That means only family members of those in hospice can visit-once they have passed our screening-and no visitors under tripled. We think the best way to protect Clare the age of 18 years can come onto our campus. None of us like it, but it's the right decision and Oaks residents and employees, as well as our surroundings, is to implement these restrictions to ensure the welfare of our community. If these what the CDC and the IDPH have recommended. It's the best way to keep our residents safe, because inconveniences help us keep the virus at bay, we'll the more people who come into contact with our community, the higher the risk of exposure. be glad to have all pulled together during this time. Compliance is important; we are only as strong as our weakest link. How about the people who live at Clare Oaks? We also have limited off-campus activity to essential travel, such as necessary medical appointments and therapies like dialysis. For this kind of trip outside the community, we've asked residents to let us know in advance, so that we can About Clare Oaks take every precaution to prevent exposure, and then to screen residents when they return. And I can't say enough about those who work here, and who have continued to show up to care for our residents. They're the superheroes in this story-and their identities aren't secret. Since 2008, Clare Oaks provides independent living apartments and cottages as well as a continuum of care for nearly 300 residents on its And to further ensure the safety of our community, we've established dedicated entrances 41-acre campus. Lifestyle and healthcare programs where we conduct all necessary screenings. We've include independent living, assisted living. instructed everyone to use only these doorways. Anyone who skips this procedure puts themselves and their neighbors at a very real risk. memory support, short-term rehabilitation and long-term care. Clare Oaks boasts a five-star rating, the highest for skilled nursing and short-term rehab, from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. In both 2018/19 and 2019/20, U.S. News & World Report awarded Clare Oaks a high-performance ranking for Short-Term Stay Rehab. One reason people love Clare Oaks is the sense of neighborhood. So how do you encourage "social distancing?" We've closed down all common areas throughout the buikding and canceled any in- person activities. That includes eating meals together in the dining room. We set up a system for residents to come to the dining room to pick up For more information about Clare Oaks, 825 Carillon Drive, Bartlett, IlI., call 630-372-1983 or visit ClareOaks.org. ClareOaks SENIOR LIVING Straight talk about our pandemic response Most people have their hands full as they adjust to myriad changes necessitated by the COVID-19 global pandemic. That goes double for Gigi Walker, CEO of Clare Oaks, the continuing care retirement community in Bartlett. Under Walker's management, Clare Oaks has been among the leaders in adopting directives issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). Having previously directed financial operations for a variety of enterprises, Walker joined Clare Gigi Walker, CEO of Clare Oaks Oaks in 2010 and became CEO in the summer of their meals and honor social distancing. 2018. Since then she has instituted programs and efficiencies that have positioned the community to meet the current crisis. She took a few minutes We've reminded people that anyone who allows a non-essential visitor into Clare Oaks poses an imminent risk of harm to themselves and their from another incredibly busy day to answer some questions about Clare Oaks' response to fast- moving events. What is the "restricted visitation" policy? friends and neighbors-because as we've all come to learn, older adults and those with chronic medical conditions are at heightened risk when exposed to COVID-19. Is all this really necessary? Well you tell me. In the last week alone, the number of new cases in Illinois more than Right now, we only allow essential visitors onto the Clare Oaks campus. That means only family members of those in hospice can visit-once they have passed our screening-and no visitors under tripled. We think the best way to protect Clare the age of 18 years can come onto our campus. None of us like it, but it's the right decision and Oaks residents and employees, as well as our surroundings, is to implement these restrictions to ensure the welfare of our community. If these what the CDC and the IDPH have recommended. It's the best way to keep our residents safe, because inconveniences help us keep the virus at bay, we'll the more people who come into contact with our community, the higher the risk of exposure. be glad to have all pulled together during this time. Compliance is important; we are only as strong as our weakest link. How about the people who live at Clare Oaks? We also have limited off-campus activity to essential travel, such as necessary medical appointments and therapies like dialysis. For this kind of trip outside the community, we've asked residents to let us know in advance, so that we can About Clare Oaks take every precaution to prevent exposure, and then to screen residents when they return. And I can't say enough about those who work here, and who have continued to show up to care for our residents. They're the superheroes in this story-and their identities aren't secret. Since 2008, Clare Oaks provides independent living apartments and cottages as well as a continuum of care for nearly 300 residents on its And to further ensure the safety of our community, we've established dedicated entrances 41-acre campus. Lifestyle and healthcare programs where we conduct all necessary screenings. We've include independent living, assisted living. instructed everyone to use only these doorways. Anyone who skips this procedure puts themselves and their neighbors at a very real risk. memory support, short-term rehabilitation and long-term care. Clare Oaks boasts a five-star rating, the highest for skilled nursing and short-term rehab, from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. In both 2018/19 and 2019/20, U.S. News & World Report awarded Clare Oaks a high-performance ranking for Short-Term Stay Rehab. One reason people love Clare Oaks is the sense of neighborhood. So how do you encourage "social distancing?" We've closed down all common areas throughout the buikding and canceled any in- person activities. That includes eating meals together in the dining room. We set up a system for residents to come to the dining room to pick up For more information about Clare Oaks, 825 Carillon Drive, Bartlett, IlI., call 630-372-1983 or visit ClareOaks.org.