October 26: Community Update

Vaccine / Booster Update:

On Friday, October 22, The Glebe hosted Michael’s Pharmacy for a COVID booster clinic. Approximately 151 independent living residents, 55 licensed area residents and 50 team members received a vaccine or booster. The booster clinical, coupled with the vaccine mandate, will positively impact efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID within the community.  

Aramark Contract and Environmental Services Update:

As an organization and community, the leadership team assessed the contract base and cost association compared to the value and current market. Based on services and cost association, the contract will not be renewed with Aramark for environmental services for 2022. Aramark has been a good partner and provided systems and group buying as a base advantage with the contract agreement. However, we will work with our current Group Purchasing Organization to maintain this financial advantage.  As Aramark departs at the end of 2021 so will Monicka Banister, director of environmental services. Monica has provided great support to the department and community and we wish her well as she transitions into the next phase of her career.

In January 2022, Joyce Horton will be named the new director of environmental services.  Joyce previously served in a dual Directorship of culinary services and housekeeping. Joyce will bring 14 years of community and industry knowledge to her new role. In preparation for Joyce’s transition to environmental services, The Glebe will begin recruitment for the next director of culinary services.

Town Hall Budget Review and Rate Increase:

A Town Hall meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 1at 11 a.m.to review the 2022 operating budget and resident rate increase.  If you are unable to attend in person we will televise on our in-house channel 9901.

Emergency Pendant Testing:

The Glebe’s clinical team completed “D” building testing of each resident pendant to ensure the battery is active and the alert message is complete with name, location and phone number. Moving forward we will test a different building on Resident Council Wednesday. The next test group will be “B” building residents on November 17 from 10 -11 a.m. in the community center lobby.

As a follow-up to current transmission rates in the greater Botetourt County and Roanoke, we want to remind residents and team members we continue to fall in the RED ZONE/HIGH for transmission of COVID. While we understand everyone is fatigued and wonders when we will ever resume a sense of normalcy, our ongoing efforts to help mitigate the spread of this virus have proven to be successful. The greater community, such as restaurants, grocery stores and entertainment venues have opened and are operating at capacity. As such, The Glebe leadership suggests residents continue to practice caution as it relates to safe practices in the community.

• Please remember to wear a mask, vaccinated or not
• Maintain social distancing
• Practice good hand hygiene
• Remind visitors to also wear a face mask when entering the community