Page 7 - The Clare Connection_Summer 2020 Flipbook

A New Normal:

A Day in the Life at The Clare During COVID

W hen Clare resident Renee Zellner lacked in terms of social connection,

moved to The Clare from Cleveland mental stimulation and cultural
about three years ago, she swiftly took enrichment. The Clare’s in-house
advantage of new friendships, various television stations stream exercise
concerts and lectures, and exploring classes throughout the day, and movies
her new neighborhood in the Gold are shown each evening for nightly
Coast. entertainment.
In recent months, however, the life For Renee, all of this is in addition
she carved out for herself doesn’t to taking an online class through
look quite the same as it once did. Northwestern University’s Osher
In early March, when COVID-19 took Lifelong Learn Institute (OLLI) and
a foothold in the United States and regular video chats with her immediate
prompted The Clare to implement a family. She also participated in
number of safety restrictions, Renee recording an interfaith service that was
and her fellow Clare residents had to televised to residents on The Clare’s in-
adjust to a new normal. house channel.
Because of technologies like Zoom
and FaceTime, Renee has even had
the opportunity to join 15 of her
family members for a Passover Seder
and several birthday celebrations, all
Renee Zellner
“There is never any need to without ever leaving the comfort and
safety of her apartment at The Clare.
expose oneself to the virus “The Clare administration made careful,
What’s more, Renee and her fellow
with the programs in place Clare residents have access to three well thought out decisions with the
meals a day delivered directly to their best interest of the residents in mind
at The Clare.” apartments. The extensive and varied every step of the way,” she says. “The
menus change entirely each week, and result is that at this time in August, not
they always come with daily specials one person in Independent Living has
and two homemade soups available been diagnosed with COVID.”
every day.
Overall, there’s no questioning the
“There is never any need to expose difficulties associated with the
“Things changed quite drastically when oneself to the virus with the programs lockdown, especially for seniors. But
COVID entered our world,” Renee says. in place at The Clare,” she says. the positives The Clare has provided
“From the beginning of the lockdown, As the city of Chicago has gradually for its residents through it all are
I have felt safe and well cared for. And reopened, The Clare has slowly eased monumental.
the employees sprang to action and some restrictions, as well, providing
quickly created ways to keep us busy residents with more freedom to “I feel so fortunate that I have been
and engaged.” come and go from the building for living at The Clare during this
In fact, Renee manages to keep her family visits, small group meetings challenging time,” Renee says. “I don’t
schedule jam-packed with activities. and outdoor walks. But Renee feels feel as isolated as I would if I were
Between book clubs, wine tastings, no need to rush from her apartment, living on my own. And my children and
coffee hours, cooking demonstrations, as she is content, safe and cared for grandchildren are happy to know that I
and live concerts via Zoom, she hasn’t within her new normal. am content and stimulated every day.”