From toddlers to seniors keeping active is a must

As the quarantine to slow the spread of the coronavirus continues, people of all ages in Orland Park continue to make the best of a challenging situation.

At Smith Crossing, a residence facility for seniors, residents are being treated to an abundance of activities to keep them active mentally and physically. “Since we began to restrict visitors and canceled group activities on March 9, we have worked as a team to get creative with ways to support our residents’ mental health and keep them entertained during the quarantine,” said Kara Superczynski, sales coordinator.

The first thing the facility did was start live broadcasts on the in-house channel. Esperanza Rivera, the Independent Living Life Enrichment director, oversees the daily programming. Each day at 11 a.m., staff put on a live show for residents to tune into in their apartments. At 2 p.m., fitness instructor Michael Clemens leads an exercise class allowing residents to follow along in their apartments. “We are blessed we already had the technology to broadcast live from our Community Hall,” Superczynski said.

“The live shows have included interviews with staff members so residents can learn a little more about the heroes who are here to help them,” she said, adding the shows also focus on highlights about campus updates and feel-good stories. Staff members host “Smith Jeopardy” games, a decades fashion show, and featured Kay Budick, a psychiatric nurse practitioner, who provided tips on coping with social distancing.

Card sent by local students, community residents and families are read during a live stream so everyone can share in the joy, and then distributed to residents. “It is beyond gratifying to see their smiles and hear their laughter,” Superczynski said. “It shows us we are truly making a difference in their day.”

Superczynski said the residents twice a day are invited out to their balconies to wave to their neighbors. “Seeing a smile and having human interaction is something we all need in life,” she said. “This past week, one of our residents suggested taking the 3 p.m. session to the next level by asking staff to join and bring anything that makes a lot of noise. He played drum cadences as the staff marched around the pond—keeping socially distanced—and played their ‘instruments.’ Residents watched and cheer from their balconies.”

Healthcare Life Enrichment director May DePaola, oversees Skype calls with residents and their families, happy hour trucks and door-to-door visits from an “ice cream truck,” while other staff members are assisting with activities in the hallways at the residents’ doorways, like reading books, playing games and working puzzles.

The no-visitor policy is challenging to the residents and their families, but it’s also hard on the employees. “We miss seeing the families that have become extensions of our own families,” Superczynski said. “We miss seeing the faces of our residents beaming with joy when they have visitors. We are doing anything and everything we can to keep their loved ones safe, happy and healthy, and we cannot wait until we are all reunited.”

While the people at Smith Crossing are keeping our senior population busy and happy, Sara Calandriello, of Orland Park, has found many creative ways to keep her two young children busy and happy.

“We make sure to get outside at least twice a day, no matter the weather,” Calandriello said. “We’ve had some neighborhood-wide scavenger hunts, like looking for stuffed animals in people’s windows or following clues between mailboxes. That has been a great way to burn off some energy outside.”

Inside, Calandriello, who works part-time as an occupational therapist, keeps Mia, 3, and Daniel, 18 months, busy reading books, finishing puzzles and playing with toys. She also has been taking advantage of the multitude of free online resources, such as Lakeshore Learning’s free, printable worksheets and activities. “Mia has had so much fun doing number games, alphabet puzzles and practicing her writing. There’s so much out there on social media that it is almost overwhelming, so I’m trying to take it one day at a time."

Work schedules have slowed down, allowing her and husband, Dan, a lawyer and an Orland Park trustee, to both spend more time with their children. “He is less busy than usual, of course, so that allows flexibility with the hours he spends in his office to be able to spend more time with us. He is very sensitive to the fact that I need a little time to myself every morning to exercise and that has been critical in helping us all have a good day,” she said.

One of the hardest situations for her family right now is seeing her 3-year-old being disappointed that she can’t visit grandparents or see cousins and other friends. “That being said, it is hard to complain about anything right now. We are so fortunate to be together, safe and healthy. My heart goes out to all the people who are away from their families, risking their lives and working so hard to contain this virus and help those who are sick,” Calandriello said.

“It is ironic, but in this time of social distancing, I feel like our neighborhood is closer than ever. From a friendly wave from across the street to the neighbors putting things in their windows for my kids to ‘hunt’ for, this whole situation has made me realize how lucky we are to have supportive neighbors and friends,” she said.

“This situation is giving us the opportunity to take things more slowly, appreciate the little things and pay closer attention to the things that really matter.”