April 2020
Pavilion Press
News, Events & Happenings at The Larsen Pavilion at Shell Point
Welcome to the
Larsen Pavilion
Rachel Zellers Larsen Pavilion Administrator Julie Dewitt Director of Nursing
Caring Amidst
CORONAVIRUS By Rachel Zellers, Director of Long Term Care
Pam Downing Assistant Director of Nursing First Floor: Rachel Major Nurse Manager Third Floor: Lindsey Bryant Nurse Manager Laurie Kjoller Resident/Family Services Coordinator Tacey Larimer-Tettaton Activities Supervisor
15071 Shell Point Blvd. Fort Myers, FL 33908
(239) 415-5442
B
y now, everyone has heard of the coronavirus (COVID-19). For the
majority of people who contract the coronavirus, the illness is similar to a cold or seasonal influenza. But for individuals over 60, COVID-19 can cause serious illness and even death. Because nursing facilities like the Larsen Pavilion have many vulnerable people living in close proximity, the Shell Point Executive Team and the Pavilion staff take this situation seriously. We monitor updates from national health authorities such as CDC, Florida Department of Health and CMS on a daily basis. We also participate on daily calls with our partners in the industry and follow all the regulations, guidance and emergency orders that are issued at a federal, state and local level. The most impactful measure taken has been to restrict visitation at Pavilion, in response to an emergency order issued
by Governor DeSantis. Staff are working diligently to keep residents connected with their loved ones through telephone calls, Skype and Facetime. If you would like to connect with one of your family members or friends, please let one of our staff members know. We’d be happy to assist you with this! You or your family can also find out more by watching SPTV Channel 11, calling the informational line for residents and families at (866) 551-6013 or (239) 339-2541, and sending letters or emails. Meanwhile, life goes on at the Pavilion. Our staff remains committed to giving the same high quality care and services that Pavilion residents have come to expect. And while we sorely miss the Auxiliary volunteers, staff is working diligently to pick up all the tasks they normally cover for us. I am proud of the team of women and men who provide compassionate care and keep everything running during difficult times like this.
The Pavilion team is truly special!
Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?
I
n honor of President’s Day, Pavilion residents from the third floor gathered to play “Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?” that used trivia and pictures about the nation’s executive branch.
The Tunnel of
Love
P
avilion residents traveled down the Tunnel of Love during February for a spectacular, funfilled meal at the Schilling Dining Room. Residents’ sweethearts, lovely family members and best friends joined them for this figurative stroll through the Tunnel of Love.
Here’s the kicker: They played against a number of children who were visiting Shell Point for the day. According to eyewitness reports, the competition was fierce! Pavilion residents squeaked out
Pavilion Press
a win by only two points. Residents are already brushing up on their trivia for the next challenge.
Pavilion Press An Ode to the Larson Pavilion Auxiliary
Thank you volunteers!
By Dottie Tronnes, Former Volunteer Coordinator
D
uring a February visit to the Larsen Pavilion with friends, it seemed that Shell Point’s blue jacket volunteers were out in full force everywhere we looked. A friendly face greeted all from the reception desk at the main entrance. Down the hallway, we passed that day’s beverage cart committee team, readying the cart for a room to room trip handing out a beverage for thirst and a smile for encouragement. Further down the first floor hall, a library cart volunteer pushed a cart full of books and magazines, willing to take the time for a conversation about current events and favorite authors as he made the rounds. In the Auxiliary office, a Mail
Committee member sorted the daily mail while beautiful piano music came from the Schilling Dining Room as a volunteer tickled the ivories during lunch. Heading up to the second floor, our group encountered dining committee members who had just finished their lunchtime duties. They assist residents with whatever was necessary to make their meal time a stress less and enjoyable experience. On the third floor, we encountered a volunteer who had brought in a newspaper article about the sighting of white cardinal. She loved swapping stories and reminiscing about backyard bird feeders and days gone by with each resident she visited. With our visit to the Pavilion
almost over, we still encountered Auxiliary members on the way out. In the Pharmacy, volunteers were performing filing and restocking duties to allow staff the time to concentrate on essential medication orders. Once outside, we saluted a team of Wheelchair Companions coming back with two residents who had just enjoyed a walk around the Island Lagoon – and had spotted some manatees. It doesn’t have to be the month that volunteers are celebrated nationwide for Shell Point to recognize all the amazing volunteers of the Larsen Pavilion Auxiliary. Each committee and member serves a vital and important part of life in the Pavilion, and we appreciate everything they do for the community.
Pavilion Press
S
pecial event highlights have been listed in the Pavilion Press newsletter for some time. However, this information is available in more complete form by checking the calendar of events that is posted throughout the building – or by contacting the Activities department at (239) 415-5445. The removal of this special events highlight creates additional space that will allow for a greater focus on resident photos within the newsletter.
APRIL 2020
God Wants To Be
Happy
Included
Birthday Roxine Archbald............................4 Paul Murphy..................................4 Janet Smith....................................8 Jean Meikrantz...............................9 Nelda Rouillard............................11 Barbara Manning.........................13 Robert Dornburg.........................15 Doris Schweizer............................17 Jerry Horne..................................18 Geneva Michael...........................18 Anthony Purpura.........................28 Joseph Goeschl............................30 Nancy Mongoven.........................30
In Loving
Memory Mary Hurst....................March 6 Earleen Judy..................March 7 George Cavanaugh.....March 10
By Sunny Torres, Director of Spiritual Services
T
hese were the potters, and mentalize our time into “holy or those that dwelt among humdrum,” tending to believe God plants and hedges: There is interested only in the times we they dwelt with the king for his work. spend in the spiritual activities like –1 Chronicles 4:23 attending church or spending time Usually the Old Testament in prayer. We might find it inconBiblical history recounts stories ceivable that He considers our and names of royalty commonplace, daily or military leaders, but routines rich oppor“These were the here we see workers in tunities to prove His a lowly line of work potters, and those faithfulness and comdescribed as those with that dwelt among petence as He orchesa royal calling; regular, plants and hedges: trates our lives in a everyday people, probameaningful way. There they dwelt bly covered with leaves, Just like these potwith the king for dirt under their nails ters, God would like and clay all over their us all to see that He his work. ” clothes. “There they is more involved and – 1 Chronicles 4:23 dwelt with the king for present in every detail his work.” of our existence than Notice their awareness of we could imagine. We must actively whom they served and whose work look for Him, though. The promise they considered it to be. Their king in Jeremiah 29:13-14 remains true was the focus of their efforts in even to this day: You will seek Me and the mundane, daily tasks of putter- find Me, when you search for Me ing around in the pots and bushes! with all your heart. And I will be These people are highlighted in found by you,’ declares the Lord. God’s Hall of Fame simply because This is not a game of hide and they had a “royal perspective” on seek with Him. Our loving God their daily labor. simply longs to be included in every We find it is easy to compart- area of our lives.