A Message from the Health Services Team

At Kendal, residents’ health is the most important item. Please note the message below from our Health Services team.

We are asking your help in being able to provide the best coordination of Kendal health care services. Recently, a number of residents have had planned medical procedures, have visited the ER and/or been admitted to a hospital without notifying the Resident Care Center.

We request that you always provide us with a "heads up" of these type of situations whether planned or unplanned. It allows all Health Services departments to anticipate and best respond to your needs. If you know ahead of time that you will be having surgery, please let the Resident Care Center know or ask your family to notify us.

Even if you do not think you will require a rehab stay in Clearwater, it is best to inform us that you will be having surgery or a procedure so that if you need any other support (examples: outpatient therapy, sick trays) we can assist with coordination of services.

Also, admission to Clearwater requires that we meet Department of Health admission standards regardless of your status as a Kendal contract holder. Having advance notice from you allows the Clearwater team to ensure there is space available to you and also allows coordination of the admission requirements to make your transitions smoother. If you have any questions about this, please reach out to Lisa Wacht, Julie Moran, or Stacey Conway.

New Trip to NYC Historical Society January 8

The ever-active Trips Committee announced a new trip for Wednesday, January 8 to the New York City Historical Society, New York.

There are four exhibitions to explore there: “Beyond Midnight: Paul Revere,” more than 150 objects examining the life of the patriot, silversmith, printer of engravings and entre-preneur; “Mark Twain and the Holy Land,” about his 5½-month steamship voyage to Europe and the Mediterranean, resulting in The Innocents Abroad; “Artist in Exile: The Visual Diary of Baroness Hyde de Neuville (1771-1849),” 114 watercolors and drawings, many recently discovered, showing the history, culture and people of the young American republic by a woman and outsider; and “Holiday Express,” the annual train show.

Sign-up for the trip will, as usual, be in the Trips Book located in the Activities Alcove.

Residents Council To Meet Monday December 9, 2pm

The Agenda for the meeting is in the Dec. 9 Spotlight. Please bring it with you to the meeting.

Assistance with Laptops, Phones, and Tablets

You can obtain help with smart phones, tablets, and laptops on December 10, 1:30 pm-3:00 pm in the PDR from volunteers from the Westchester PC Users Group.

Problems with iPhones, Androids, Macs or PCs— all are welcome. If bringing a device, charge it first and know your password! For further info, contact Joe Bruno.

Poetry Writing

Please note that Poetry Writing meets on the second Thursday of the month at 3:30 pm in the RAO; this month’s session takes place Thursday December 12.

We invite new residents to join the group. Questions? Call Sheila Benedis.

Library News

Kendal’s wonderful library, which is open for book-borrowing 24/7, announced:

Audiobooks – The audiobook collection faces the newspaper table. They have been cataloged and should be checked out the same way as regular books.  Donations are welcome.

Sociology Collection – This collection, located on the 4th floor of Robert Fulton (Eastside elevator lobby), has recently been reorganized and labeled.  For information contact Caroline Persell.

New Years Eve at Kendal

Muriel Fox, who chairs the New Years’ Eve celebration at Kendal, announced that rehearsals and planning have begun for the much-acclaimed New Year’s Eve celebration, which begins at 8 pm in the Gathering Room on Tuesday evening, December 31. 

Our lively Kendal Singers are reviewing songs old and new and Sally Costa is assembling her committee for the gala champagne-and-caviar reception after the show.

A number of talented new residents have been recruited to perform songs and skits this year.

Our dining manager Fred Coppola has arranged for a special treat—dinner that evening which will be served by waiters throughout all dining areas, including the Bistro, the Private Dining Room, and the Formal Dining Room.

Evening attire (including tuxedos) is encouraged but optional. 

In a timely fashion, Sally Costa urges, “Let’s get planning underway for the New Year’s Eve Celebration.”  She reminds us all that this is Kendal’s biggest party of the year and it’s only a month away!

For newcomers: it comprises first a lovely dinner, then a spectacular show and, finally, a delightful celebration with all your Kendal friends.

Please help us this year with planning, decorating the Residents’ Lounge, providing and keeping the wine flowing, handling refreshments and, towards evening’s end, cleaning up. Please contact Sally in the usual ways.

The Underground Railroad in Westchester County

One track of the secret network of homes ready to help fugitives from slavery stopped in New Rochelle, Pleasantville, Bedford, and Quaker Hill before presumably leading to Canada.

Quakers Joseph Carpenter, Moses Pierce, Esther Carpenter Pierce, David Irish, and Bedford residents John Jay and his sons, William and John Jay II, supported the abolition movement and helped enslaved persons find their way to freedom.

In her December 9 presentation, Professor Dorothee Greenberg will cover the overseas influences, national events, abolitionists in New York State, and the lives and circumstances of those immediately involved: Joseph Carpenter and his daughter in New Rochelle; Moses Pierce and his family in Pleasantville; William Jay in Bedford, and David Irish on Quaker Hill.

A retired Pace Professor of English, Dorothee Greenberg is a graduate of Wellesley College. She earned her M.A. in English and German Literature at the University of Munich and her Ph.D. in Comparative Literature at NYU.
Professor Greenberg will be making her presentation on Monday, December 9 at 7:30 pm in the Gathering Room.

Important Health News - Flu vaccine

Kendal’s 2019 flu vaccination clinic has passed, and we would like to report that only 66 percent of independent-living residents took advantage of the free vaccination. This is significantly lower than the rate in past years.

To ensure that you are protected against the flu this season. It’s not too late to make an appointment at the Resident Care Center to receive the vaccine.

If you were vaccinated elsewhere, please bring documentation to the RCC, so we may update our records.

As per the CDC, influenza viruses circulate year-round; most of the time flu activity peaks between December and February but can last as late as May.

In case of any questions or concerns, please see Julie Moran, RN, in the RCC or call her at ext. 1030 or 1032.

End of Life Issues in New York State

The Domestic Issues Discussion Series will continue on Monday December 2 when attorneys Len Andrew and Bill Schreiber will be the facilitators on the topic of End of Life Issues in New York State.

Each state has its own rules on this important matter so it is vital for all of us who live in New York to understand the differences.

The discussion will take place in the Gathering Room and start at 10 am.

All residents are welcome.