Page 13 - Jewish News_July-2020

COMMUNITY FOCUS July 2020 13

Jewish agencies pivot their programming

in response to Coronavirus pandemic

By Gayle Guynup

hree of The Jewish Federation broadcasting, our team is working music genres, movie time periods and to expand infrastructure to allow for
of Sarasota-Manatee’s com- around the clock to try and provide lecture topics. In fact, these virtual op- more virtual events and programs for
Tmunity partners were able to one-on-one programming to residents portunities have dramatically increased residents if or when we need to reis-
pivot quickly to a new virtual reality in in their apartments,” he said. the diversity of topics,” Solomon said. sue lockdown policies and procedures.
response to the Coronavirus. Here’s an The most difficult part “We expect that we will be forced to
update from Aviva – A Campus for Se- of the transition, Solomon
nior Life, Hershorin Schiff Community said, was the knowledge
Day School and JFCS of the Suncoast. gap that exists when it came
Aviva – A Campus for Senior Life to residents and technology.
According to Matthew Solomon, Avi- We have all seen the statis-
va’s Communications and Partnerships tics that more seniors than
Manager, its response to the Coronavi- ever are using Facebook or
rus began the week of March 9, with own a smartphone, yet in
meetings of its senior leadership team: practice, the picture is very
Jay Solomon, President & CEO; Jean different. “What the general
Kramer, COO; Teresa Martin, Vice public sees as ‘basic,’ such
President of Healthcare Services; and Aviva Life Enrichment Coordinator Ellen Frank wheels her very as video chatting using a
Solomon. own ice cream truck to residents at Anchin Assisted Living smartphone or even send-
“Our first priority was to begin By the middle of March, all pro- ing an email, are monumental tasks for
making plans for altered programming grams across all levels of care were ei- many residents.
and limiting of services within our ther suspended or turned into a virtual Aviva’s Emergency Response
Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing alternative. The transition, Solomon Team has just started to consider what
facilities. That Friday, March 13, we said, has been hard on both residents the fall and winter months may bring.
made the difficult decision, per guide- and staff. “Aviva’s culture, the very “We are taking the warnings of health Nurse Allison Morningstar takes a break
lines from the Centers for Medicare heart of what we do, has always been experts seriously and are preparing for to enjoy some fun and games during Aviva’s
and Medicaid, to place our Anchin- community and coming together. In a a resurgence of the virus to hit around COVID-19 safe Nurses Week celebration
Benderson building – home to Assist- way, the Coronavirus is the very antith- offer limited programming and ser-
ed Living, Memory Care, and Skilled esis to what our campus is. Residents vices well into 2021 or until we feel
Nursing – under lockdown. This lock- feel isolated as they are asked not to our residents are sufficiently protected
down not only meant the suspension of interact with one another or leave cam- from the virus,” Solomon added. “The
outside visitation, but also suspending pus to see family, or enjoy the things population we serve is the most vulner-
all communal programming and com- they always loved to do.” Difficult as able to suffer from this crisis, and our
munal dining. We would later imple- it was, Aviva remains virus-free across team will do everything we can to keep
ment a similar policy at our Kobernick the entire campus. them safe.”
Independent Living building. Our goal While many programs were able Solomon added, “Our hearts and
during these lockdowns was to create to go virtual, many of Aviva’s cultur- prayers go out to our colleagues across
opportunities for residents to access al programs, including large musical An Aviva campus resident connects with family the country in the senior living indus-
programming in their apartments,” concerts, evening performances or the through virtual communication try. It is so important to remind ev-
Solomon said. hosting of outside organizations have November or December,” Solomon eryone that the stories we hear about
Aviva was able to broadcast live all been cancelled. “We are so thankful said. At this time, Aviva has not yet widespread infection or unfortunate
through its in-house TV station. “With to live and work during a time when made a firm decision on some of its resident deaths represent such a small
our ability to broadcast, we were able free and diverse media content is just major events, such as its Keep the fraction of an industry desperately
to quickly put out at-home fitness a click away. Thanks to the power of Dream Alive fundraiser or the hosting working to keep seniors safe. For Avi-
classes, lectures, religious services YouTube and Netflix we have been of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur va, our best strategy to help residents
and some live performances. Beyond able to provide a vast array of different events. However, our team is working continued on next page

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Friendship is our Promise.

• Full-time Director of Life Enrichment
• Over 100 activities, classes, and programs offered monthly
• Programs designed by and for residents
• On-campus monthly live concert series featuring multiple genres

• Aviva University provides weekly classes on the arts, history,
science, literature, and more

• Heated outdoor pool & shaded patio
• State of the Art Fitness Center
• Over a mile of tropical walking trails

• Complimentary transportation to Sarasota hubs of art, culture, 1951 N. Honore Ave. | Sarasota, FL 34235
and entertainment 941.377.0781 | www.AvivaSeniorLife.org

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