Skip to main content
All Posts By

Castle Senior Living

COVID-19 Update 11

By COVID-19No Comments

Dear family and friends of Castle Senior Living,

We are happy to continue to report that none of the residents or active staff at any of our Castle Senior Living communities has tested positive for COVID-19.

We also have news that holds promise for our residents and their families.

The Wisconsin Department of Health is working on an updated visitation policy that is currently under review. Non-essential visitors have been restricted from our communities since mid-March. We know that not seeing your loved ones for so long and them not seeing you has been a challenge, but the health of our residents and employees remains our top priority. When we know more about the state’s revision to the visitation policy, we will update you accordingly.

In the meantime, we ask everyone to please respect the safeguards that the CDC and the Department of Health have put in place to protect our residents from COVID-19 and follow the no visitor policy. If residents have to make essential visits out into the community, please continue to sign out of the community and inform staff, so we can account for all our residents in the event that there is an emergency and we need to evacuate the building.

No visitation also follows industry standards (see WALA’s website) and follows what other assisted living facilities are doing. If you’d like to discuss the recommendations and lobby for change you can access the Ombudsman Program with the Board on Aging and Long Term Care by phone at 1-800-815-0015, by e-mail at BOALTC@wisconsin.gov or online at http://longtermcare.wi.gov/.

We will communicate with you as soon as we know when visitation in any form is allowed again. If you have any specific questions about our facilities, or would like to schedule a video call with your loved one, please reach out to your facility administrator.

Meet the Resident – Ruth Krowski

By Senior LivingNo Comments

Ruth Krowski moved to assisted living at the Grand Hills Castle about a year and a half ago. The 86-year old is living with Parkinson’s Disease.

“We couldn’t regulate my medication and I needed a place that could help me do that much better,” she says. “I leave a lot of major decisions up to my three daughters and son. My daughters looked at many places and found that they liked the Grand Hills Castle the best.”

Ruth has never looked back. She enjoys life in a Castle Senior Living community.

“I like the people here very much. I always tell the aides that anyone who can do what they do on a daily basis has to be great.

“I really connect with them and we giggle a lot. They will come in my room and talk to me. They are very good to the residents here – so good to them. I often wonder how they do it, especially now.”

Living through the COVID-19 pandemic is unlike anything Ruth has ever experienced.

“I have to stay hopeful,” she says. “I’m not always a person that can do that. Sometimes I get nervous, but I want to stay positive and I have to do that. I think I’ve been holding up pretty well.”

Ruth says she stays mostly in her room, and it doesn’t bother her for residents to sit at separate tables for their meals. Adult coloring books help her pass the time. It’s become her new favorite hobby.

“When I first arrived at the Grand Hills Castle, I met a couple of the ladies and we’re now close so I catch up with them a lot. I walk inside around the building in the morning after exercises and then after supper.

“My four kids call me every day. My daughter comes here once a week because she does my laundry. She talks to me through the window. My son and his wife also stop by my window. It would be terrible for me if I couldn’t see them. They bring me treats. I think it’s harder for them than it is for me. I’m still around people here. My daughter who lives in Madison comes when she can because of the virus, and I have a daughter in Florida and we talk frequently.”

Ruth, who was born and raised on Milwaukee’s south side, says she had a good upbringing along with her sister. Her father worked in a machine shop and her mother stayed at home.

“She showed me how to sew,” Ruth recalls. “I sewed every stich of clothing that I owned over the years. My grandmother taught me how to knit, so I made mittens and scarves for all my kids and grandkids.”

Ruth attended Mound Street School and then Bayview High School. She enrolled at Milwaukee Accredited Beauty School and was a beautician for a few years until her late husband, John, got out of the Army after serving in the Korean War and they decided to start a family.

When asked what she believes is her most remarkable accomplishment in life, Ruth provided an immediate answer.

“My children. They turned out great. I stayed home all the time with my kids and I loved it. It’s a treat to be a stay-at-home mother.

“I babysat four of my eight grandchildren and cared for many kids over the years. It was my hobby. Those grandkids are so good to me. You should see the many cards that they send to me in the mail now. I’m so proud of them.”

COVID-19 Update 10

By COVID-19No Comments

Dear family and friends of Castle Senior Living,

We are happy to continue to report that none of the residents or active staff at any of our Senior Living communities has tested positive for COVID-19.

The health of our residents and employees remains our top priority. That is why we continue to follow the guidelines issued by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and the CDC regarding COVID-19. Please know that all non-essential visitors are still restricted from our communities.

We understand that not seeing your loved ones for so long and during such a difficult time is a challenge. We truly appreciate your understanding and continued support.

We are asking everyone to please respect the safeguards the CDC and the Department of Health have put in place to protect our residents from COVID-19 and follow the no visitor policy. If residents do have to make essential visits out into the community, please continue to sign out of the community and inform staff, so we can account for all our residents in the event that there is an emergency and we need to evacuate the building.

Please know that this is not Castle Senior Living making the decision to keep you from your loved ones, but this comes from government guidelines and restrictions. We love seeing the families of our residents and the joy that that brings to them, but we need to protect the health of all of our residents. No visitation also follows industry standards (see WALA’s website) and follows what other assisted living facilities are doing.

If you’d like to discuss the recommendations and lobby for change you can access the Ombudsman Program with the Board on Aging and Long Term Care by phone at 1-800-815-0015, via e-mail at BOALTC@wisconsin.gov or online at http://longtermcare.wi.gov/.

We will communicate with you as soon as we know when visitation in any form is allowed again. We have a team that is working on what visitation will look like, when it is allowed by the government. If you have any facility specific questions or would like to schedule a video call with your loved one, please reach out to your facility administrator.

Castle Senior Living Sponsors New Berlin Memorial Day “Community Drive By”

By Senior LivingNo Comments

Castle Senior Living is proud to have sponsored the New Berlin Memorial Day Ceremony. We are so  grateful for the sacrifices our veterans have made.

The event took place at 11 a.m. Monday at Highland Memorial Park Cemetery. People entered the cemetery and then formed a single line as they moved towards the Memorial. They waved flags to show respect, but did not stop or leave their vehicles.

This Waukesha Freeman article provides more details.

 

COVID-19 Update 9

By COVID-19No Comments

Dear family and friends of Castle Senior Living,

We hope that all of you enjoyed a wonderful Memorial Day weekend. We are so grateful to the men and women who have sacrificed so much for our country – especially our veteran residents whom we respect and admire so much.

We are also grateful to continue to report that none of the residents or active staff at any of our Senior Living communities has tested positive for COVID-19.

The health of our residents and employees remains our top priority. That is why we continue to follow the guidelines issued by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and the CDC regarding COVID-19. Please know that all non-essential visitors are still restricted from our communities.

Some of you have asked for more information on this guidance, so here is a link to a bulletin from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. If you have any questions about these recommendations, please reach out to the Castle administration team.

We understand that not seeing your loved ones for so long and during such a difficult time is a challenge. However, it is what is best for their health and safety and our Castle communities as a whole. We truly appreciate your understanding and continued support.

If you have any facility specific questions or would like to schedule a video call with your loved one, please reach out to your facility administrator.

COVID-19 Update 8

By COVID-19No Comments

Dear family and friends of Castle Senior Living,

We love our residents and employees and their health is our top priority. That is why we continue to follow the guidelines issued by the Wisconsin Department of Health and the CDC regarding COVID-19. Thus, our visitation policy has not been altered by the recent Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling and we continue to restrict all non-essential visitors from our communities.

We are incredibly grateful to continue to report that none of the residents or staff at any of our Senior Living communities have tested positive for COVID-19.

We understand that not seeing your loved ones remains a challenge for you all, but this is necessary for the health and safety of our residents. We truly appreciate your understanding and continued support.

If you have any specific questions or would like to schedule a video call with your loved one, please reach out to your facility administrator.

COVID-19 Update 7

By COVID-19No Comments

Dear family and friends of Castle Senior Living,

We realize that these weekly updates might not always provide much in the way of new information, but this is our way of keeping you posted as we care for your family members and friends. We love our residents and employees and their health is our top priority.

We are fortunate to continue to report that none of the residents or staff at any of our Senior Living communities have tested positive for COVID-19.

We continue to follow the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Wisconsin Department of Health recommendations on restricting all visitors inside our facilities. We will let you know if any of those rules are amended.

We’d also like to continue to express our extreme gratitude for our hardworking employees during this challenging time.

If you have any specific questions or would like to schedule a video call with your loved one, please reach out to your facility administrator.

We appreciate your understanding and continued support.

Make Your Mark: Older Americans Month

By Senior LivingNo Comments

The month of May is recognized nationwide as Older Americans Month.

This year, we consider the contributions of our seniors in a new light as we live through the COVID-19 pandemic.

There is great concern about the health and well-being of this generation right now. At Castle Senior Living, we believe in a shared responsibility to protect those who live in our communities. Our older population is trying valiantly to safely wait it out like the rest of us under lockdown, shelter-in-place or stay-at-home orders.

While it’s not recommended to casually visit our older relatives and friends right now, there are still many ways to show appreciation and concern for seniors during Older Americans Month:

  • Stay in touch – Call the older relatives and friends that you know. If available, use virtual means such as FaceTime or Skype to connect so they can hear and see you. Allow seniors to lead the conversation. What do they want to talk about? Ask them to share their memories from the past. Compile their thoughts in a journal and give it to them as a keepsake when the pandemic has subsided.
  • Provide assistance – Does your older relative or friend need medicine, groceries, or other necessary supplies? Arrange to pick up and drop off the items they need. Leave an extra homemade meal on a doorstep if someone lives alone. Look for the older people in your neighborhood who might not ask for help. Be sure to follow Castle Senior Living on social media to learn what you can do to provide support.
  • Use your talents – Adults and children are sewing masks for healthcare facilities that serve older Americans. Families are sending artwork and letters to seniors. Tap into your creative side. Find ways to help spread joy.

This year’s theme for Older American’s Month is “Make your Mark.” It’s an appropriate mission at this time to make a difference for seniors and their caregivers. Join Castle Senior Living in strengthening our senior communities while we await better days ahead.

 

COVID-19 Update 6

By COVID-19No Comments

Dear family and friends of Castle Senior Living,

We wanted to provide another quick update regarding COVID-19. The care, health and safety of our residents has been our priority and always will be. Nothing will ever change that.

We are fortunate to continue to report that there are no positive cases of COVID-19 among our residents and staff at any of our Castle Senior Living locations.

We continue to follow the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Wisconsin Department of Health recommendations on restricting all visitors inside our facilities. If family members are making window visits to see loved ones, make sure the window remains closed and maintain the social distance requirement of six feet apart. Please contact the Castle administration team with any questions. We appreciate your continued support.

Thank you to those who have graciously donated face masks, food, and other items in these past weeks. These donations are helpful and greatly appreciated. Such gestures demonstrate the compassion and care that inspires our Castle community.

Additionally, we want to express our gratitude for our hardworking employees as they continue to go above and beyond to serve our residents. Thank you for acknowledging their efforts and encouraging them during this challenging time.

As always, if you have any questions, or would like to schedule a video call with your loved one, please reach out to your facility administrator.

COVID-19 Update 5 – Visitation

By COVID-19No Comments

Dear family and friends of Castle Senior Living,

We wanted to give you another quick update regarding COVID-19 and visitation.

We are fortunate to announce that there are no positive cases of COVID-19 among our residents and staff at any of our Castle Senior Living locations. The sacrifices you have made to restrict visitation, and the infection control measures implemented by staff, are helping to keep our residents safe.

We continue to follow the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the Wisconsin Department of Health recommendations on restricting all visitors. We appreciate your continued support in this matter and are sorry for how this impacts you and your loved ones.

Thank you to those who have graciously donated face masks, food, and other items. These donations are helpful and appreciated. Such gestures demonstrate the compassion and care that is the hallmark of the Castle community.

Additionally, we want to express our gratitude for our hardworking staff as they continue to go above and beyond to serve our residents. Thank you for acknowledging their efforts and supporting them during this challenging season.

As always, if you have any questions, or would like to schedule a video call with your loved one, please reach out to your facility administrator.

Different Ways to Communicate

  • Skype, FaceTime, other video calls
  • Send extra cards, notes, postcards, being sure to keep your message short and positive.
  • Phone your loved one, but please try not to call during the busiest times of day if our staff need to assist your resident with the phone.
  • If your loved one is unable to talk on the phone or use mobile media to stay in touch, ask our staff if someone can call you periodically to give you an update about how they are doing