Business as unusual at Vicar’s Landing

Marketing director gives a peek of how facility is working to keep residents entertained during uncertain times

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By Tess Crosby

Marketing Director of Vicar’s Landing

COVID-19 has caused many changes on the Vicar’s Landing campus, but the retirement community is working hard to keep the fun and convenience despite the isolation the pandemic has caused many seniors around the county.

Vicar’s Landing staff introduced the Complimentary Shopping Program as one way to help keep members safe and still able to get their specialty items.  Nine staff members shop twice a week at Publix and more than 500 items are brought back to the Auditorium where an additional six staff members bag groceries to fulfill a member’s list. The groceries are then delivered directly to the members’ homes.  The program has recently been expanded to include pickup up items at local pharmacies as well.  Additionally, in order to keep members up-to-date on the status of the community, the quarterly member meeting is prerecorded with presentations by management and department heads and shown on the in-house station. 

Despite the pandemic, the Activities Department has been busy keeping members active both in and out of their homes.  An in-house channel has been added as source of entertainment for the seniors living at Vicar’s.  Taped exercise classes are air with instructors for seniors to be able to stay in shape while staying safe at home.

Members have also been keeping themselves entertained by airing play readings, which are written and directed members, as well as staring members. One Vicar’s Landing member is a travel-goer and her presentations from around the world are aired for those vacation-starved since the travel ban.

Members are still going outside as activities continue including croquet, bocce ball and putting on the green.  Additionally, three water aerobics classes are held each day to keep the size of the classes small.

As for all the departments, dining services has been the busiest, striving to keep members safe but engaged and well fed — including a complimentary meal delivery in March. The department has also taken to the “streets” of Vicar’s Landing for some special events, like the Kentucky Derby. Staff held Derby parties in the atriums of each building with Mint Juleps and Bourbon Balls.  An ice cream cart went building to building having ice cream socials to keep the interaction flowing. Despite some setbacks and a “new normal” for many seniors, COVID-19 has yet to come between Vicar’s members and their positive attitudes.