SUMMER 2020 - SENIOR LIVING IN THE TRADITION OF AIR FORCE VILLAGE - Blue Skies of Texas
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SUMMER 2020
Quarantine Edition
SENIOR LIVING IN THE TRADITION OF AIR FORCE VILLAGE
Executive Report
“Flexibility is the key to air power.” I learned that early in my Air Force
career. What I didn't realize then was how applicable that phrase would
be to senior living. The coronavirus pandemic has changed lives around
the world, the United States, Texas, San Antonio and even here at Blue
Skies of Texas. Flexibility, by residents and staff, became the key to
dealing with a pandemic. This edition of the Courier focuses on how the
coronavirus is changing operations at Blue Skies and how the residents
and staff are rising to the occasion.
Outside of Blue Skies, the death toll due to the coronavirus was and is
sobering. Inside, we remained focused as always on providing a safe
and secure home for our residents. That takes on a new meaning during
a pandemic. The simplest tools were the most effective: extreme hygiene,
social distancing and continual disinfecting of common surfaces. That
wasn't enough; the way we do business had to change. Dining, house-
keeping, maintenance, health care, marketing and literally every aspect
of life had to be reimagined.
Darrell D. Jones
Everyone pitched in. We began delivering meals and pharmaceuticals
Lieutenant General, USAF (Ret) directly to residents’ homes. Residents, staff and volunteers began making
President & CEO personal protective equipment (PPE) as a backstop for our licensed
healthcare facilities. And, many of our resident activities quickly switched
to the Internet. On average, 850 meals were delivered each day, offering
residents multiple choices of hot and cold entrées, fruit and cheese
or veggie trays and, of course, wine and beer options. Various groups
Inside
this issue
helped produce 2,000 face shields, over 2,500 homemade masks, and
hundreds of protective gowns for healthcare workers in case suppliers
of professionally procured PPE became overwhelmed. In addition,
exercise classes and religious services took to the Internet to reach each
resident. The innovation was heartwarming, and the appreciation ex-
Health & Safety 3 pressed by residents continues to make it all worthwhile.
Innovative Spirit 4 You might guess that because of the virus, the community would come
to a standstill. That is not the case. New residents continue to arrive and
Dining Like Royalty 5 join our family (after the appropriate quarantine). In fact, many of our
new arrivals asked to speed up their move-in date because they felt safer
Fabulous Homes 6 at Blue Skies than out on their own. Only one scheduled move-in delayed
their arrival, but that was due to circumstances beyond their control.
Because of You 7 Everyone else is racing to get here. That is encouraging because of what
we do and who we are.
Play for Freedom 7 As you’ll see in this Courier, the coronavirus has caused a lot of change at
The Big Give SA 7 Blue Skies of Texas; however, that change is making us stronger because
we understand flexibility. We understand our core mission: to provide a
Contacts 8 safe and secure home for our residents, and we do it with style. On that
promise, we are not flexible!
Mission / Vision 8 I encourage you to visit www.blueskiesoftexas.org and see what makes
us so special. And, while we are practicing social distancing,
we will reach out to you with our hearts and not our hands.
COVER PHOTO: Residents have fun with Be safe,
“selfies” and Zoom fitness classes.
Da rrell
2
PROTECTING RESIDENTS
AND STAFF
During the novel coronavirus pandemic, Wendy Carpenter,
It’s inherent in the
Blue Skies culture
residents who may test positive with Covid-19 but do not
Chief Health Services Officer, talked to the Courier about the require hospitalization,” Wendy noted. “We welcome this
safety and health precautions the Blue Skies staff practices collaboration. They gave us high marks for our preparedness
every day to protect the residents and staff from contagions. and risk reduction protocols.”
These procedures guided Blue Skies through the heightened
social safety measures brought on by COVID-19. “Further, concern for health care residents who are at risk
for depression and other mental health issues in these
“First and foremost,” Wendy said, “every single member of anxious times has led us to create activities that keep them
our staff – not just nursing, but housekeeping, food service occupied, happy and connected,” Wendy said. “At Liberty
and maintenance – approaches every task with a clear House (assisted living), an ice cream trolley roams the
understanding of universal infection control precautions.” hallways bringing wrapped treats to residents. At The
Mission, they play bingo – residents in their doorways, a
Blue Skies health care staff is particularly trained in infection safe distance apart, while an activities director calls out
control to protect vulnerable residents. “We know how to the numbers. Spouses visit loved ones in health care through
respond – washing hands, wearing gloves and protective windows, Skype and FaceTime. Neighbors still watch out
gear, and using scientific criteria to identify infection. In this for each other. Our culture is truly a model for perilous
amplified alert, all staff and residents are monitored daily for times,” Wendy said.
any symptoms,” she noted.
Specific protocols are in place to ensure safety at all times.
Facilities are cleaned and disinfected routinely. Maintenance
staff regularly changes out air filters and monitors the safety
of the water supply. Food service safety is guided by strict
protocols, including washing dishes at high temperatures.
When a resident is discharged from any health care facility,
the space is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.
“Whether it’s seasonal flu, infections or COVID-19, every-
thing we practice daily is focused on infection control.
Our residents know that and feel safe here,” she said.
During the pandemic, Blue Skies shut down group activities
and immediately put an action plan into place to further
protect residents. Travelers and new residents went into
self-quarantine. Visitors were not allowed on campus.
Meals were delivered rather than shared in community.
All staff and health care residents were masked. As always,
CDC guidelines are enforced.
“Surveyors from the State of Texas reviewed our infection
control and San Antonio Metro Health visited the household “Cards that Care” poured in from family, friends, fellow
residents, Spouses’ Clubs and local high schools –
we set aside at The Mission (skilled nursing) to care for any bringing cheer to Blue Skies residents quarantined
in assisted living and health care.
3
How does Blue Skies
respond in a crisis?
Resilience Courage An Innovative Spirit
When a pandemic paralyzes the planet, some families might discover
they have amazing reservoirs of strength and resilience. The Blue
Skies family is resourceful, and within hours of the government-
mandated shutdown in March, courage and innovation
blossomed. Residents and staff worked together to make
the most of the crisis. Leaders emerged. Plans to protect
the health and safety of everyone were implemented.
Here’s a glimpse of the creative,
compassionate response of the
Blue Skies family:
Staff offered online classes for line dancing, Zumba,
˚ balance, cardio, yoga, tai chi, Jeopardy fitness and more …
and residents cheerfully joined the virtual fitness and
wellness fun.
Residents and staff sewed thousands of handmade masks to
˚ share with the community.
Housekeeping and salon employees, unable to perform their
˚ usual duties, attached more than 2,000 face shields to
protective masks for health care staff.
Housekeepers helped food service staff prep and deliver
˚ fresh, hot meals to residents, and grabbed their arsenal
of disinfecting supplies to constantly decontaminate
common areas and health care facilities.
Residents stepped outside and enjoyed fishing, walking,
˚ gardening and other activities at a safe distance, savoring
the beautiful landscape and open spaces.
The Village Voices continued choir practice via Zoom.
˚ Residents shared “quarantine selfies” that prove humor is
˚ the best defense.
Health care employees created games and activities that ensure
˚ safe physical distancing while keeping residents entertained,
stimulated, happy and healthy.
Housekeeping staff made bleach solutions in spray bottles
˚ and distributed to residents who had trouble purchasing
cleaning supplies.
Gen Darrell Jones and staff sent out regular COVID-19 updates to
˚ keep residents reassured and informed.
Residents used texts, e-mail and handwritten notes to thank the
˚ staff for keeping them safe and instilling a sense of normalcy
during disquieting times.
4
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Dining is one of the most popular activities at Blue Skies, and
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residents agree the menus are chock-full of enticing flavors and choices
– comfort foods, gourmet selections, ethnic favorites, fresh meats, dairy
and produce … and sinfully delicious desserts. To make meals even more
delightful, we dine together in community.
During the coronavirus pandemic, we had to suspend the social aspect of Blue Skies dining to
protect residents and staff. That didn’t stop the staff from rolling out Plan B and serving excellent
meals, though.
Rusty Lynch, General Manager Food Services at Blue Skies West, said, “We deliver a choice of six
different prepared meals, an average of 600 per day. The staff appreciates the opportunity to check
on residents and keep everyone healthy and happy.”
At Blue Skies East, General Manager Food Services Jonathan “J-Mack” Mack said residents were
enjoying the hot meals delivered safely to their doors but were missing socializing with friends.
“We’re delivering 250 fresh meals daily and I’m proud of our residents and staff for their resilience
in adapting to this temporary shift.”
All dining staff is trained, even during normal times, to be alert to residents’ well-being and health,
and to report any concerns as part of our ongoing effort to care for residents.
ning it!
w a r a n d you are win virus
“This is lyzed the
u have ana volved
The way yo a d a pted and e
s a n d
guideline d is great!”
a m a z ing and the foo
is – D ee P.
5
GARDEN
HOMES
Spacious, fabulous
Smart retirees with good taste and high expectations are scouring
the country, looking for the best community, finest amenities, friendliest people and
most beautiful residential options. And, their due diligence is leading them to Blue Skies of Texas.
Our West campus Garden Homes are such a hot commodity
that all five of the newly-built homes sold out before we
broke ground! The Gardens neighborhood now has 48
spectacular residences filled with happy retirees.
Ranging from 1600 to 2500 square feet, these modern
customized homes are Blue Skies’ most spacious options,
but more options abound. In the Lakes neighborhood, you’ll
find fully upgraded two-bedroom bungalows in cul-de-sacs
lined with shade trees, and you’ll meet neighbors who will
become dear friends. Apartment options on both campuses
come in a variety of sizes and floor plans with magnificent
views and proximity to all activities and amenities. Every
residence can be customized to your taste and décor.
Not only will you find your dream retirement home … but Blue Skies will be
your dream community. More than 70 activities and clubs await you.
A variety of restaurants. Landscaped grounds. A focus on wellness and fitness.
Social, recreational, cultural, educational and spiritual opportunities that will
enrich your life every day. And, should you need it, some of the finest assisted
living, skilled nursing, rehab and memory care facilities you’ll find anywhere.
During the early and most uncertain days of the pandemic, new residents
expedited their move-in, telling us the campus-wide safety precautions give
them a heightened sense of security. New residents are quarantined for 14 days
when they arrive, adding to the safety of all.
And the characteristic that truly differentiates Blue Skies – our charitable mission, assisting widows in need. You’ll see
that charitable spirit alive and well in generous residents who are involved in the community, have a passion for volunteer
work and thoughtfully watch out for each other.
6
Bec aus e of Y ou
,5 0 0 ks
Your gifts to the Air Force Villages Charitable Foundation (AFVCF) help us maintain the highest
standards in services, health, security and amenities for Blue Skies residents.
2 ade Mas
m
Home ounting: t
C tfel
During the coronavirus pandemic, your gifts saved lives, purchasing critical personal protective And Hear Gif ts
equipment (PPE) to ensure our health care staff had what they needed to protect fragile
residents in memory care, skilled nursing and rehabilitation.
And because we’re a community where people take care of each other,
residents, staff and even off-campus volunteers sewed homemade 3,000
29
masks for non-healthcare staff and residents. Housekeeping and
Anti-Microbial
other staff whose jobs changed due to social distancing made more
l a sses Masks:
than 2,000 face shields to protect nurses on the front lines. C
it n ess ered $7,500
All donations to the AFVCF are 100% tax-deductible, and 100%
F O f f n lin e
of your gifts are used for charitable work. O
t
Eas st
5 0 0 We
5,000 1,7 4,20ls d
38 Environmenta
l 2,00e0 ad
Personal Prote
ctive
& ea ere
M eli v
D
Ser vices Staff
and H o m e m e l d s: Equipment Unit nd- ek
i Ha h We
8 Salon Staff Face Sh if ts at $6/each: $3
s
Eac
lt G 0,000
Re-Purposed fo
r the H e a rt f e
Play for Freedom & The
Pandemic Wa
r Ef fort
Big Give Rescheduled
for Fall 2020
Among the many concerts, festivals, reunions, holiday celebrations and other events that were cancelled during the 2020 pandemic,
your Air Force Villages Charitable Foundation (AFVCF) also suffered some serious blows. We had to postpone our popular 26th Annual
Play for Freedom Golf Tournament, now rescheduled for October 1, and postpone The Big Give SA until September 10.
Proceeds from these events will benefit Freedom House Alzheimer’s Care and Research Center. Play for Freedom generates funds for
Freedom House’s annual needs, and The Big Give SA gifts are to support “Freedom House: The Journey Continues,” which is
raising $6 million to implement important renovations that will benefit residents today and into the future.
You can still help! Your gifts to the AFVCF can be designated to the cause or event of your choice, and we invite you to join us
in supporting Freedom House and Blue Skies as a whole.
For information on how you can help, contact Jennifer Berg, Director of Development, 210-568-3206 or jenniferberg@blueskiestx.org.
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NON-PROFIT
ORGANIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT NO. 2446
SAN ANTONIO, TX
5100 John D. Ryan Blvd.
San Antonio, Texas 78245-3502
OUR VISION
We will set the standard of excellence in senior lifecare through
Contact
Us
our relentless pursuit of innovation, service and compassionate care.
OUR MISSION
Toll-Free We will improve lives by providing exceptional retirement living and
(866) 553-5389 continuing care with an emphasis on individual quality of life and dignity.
Marketing
(210) 568-3200
Development REFER AN ELIGIBLE
(210) 568-3206 AIR FORCE WIDOW
Blue Skies East Blue Skies of Texas is an exceptional
(210) 673-2761 retirement community with an extraordinary
charitable mission – reaching out to the
Blue Skies West widowed spouses of retired Air Force
officers who would like to live in this safe
(210) 677-8666 community and may need some financial
assistance to do so. Our mission comforts
Alzheimer’s Care & those in need and gives purpose to our
Research Center community that transcends the ordinary.
(210) 838-6300 If you know of an eligible widow of a
retired Air Force officer who might qualify,
please call (210) 568-5029 or (210) 568-3282.
All assistance is strictly confidential.
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