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Join Us In A Shared Prayer

We are continuing to pray for the health of all of Westminster, and the world. As we move forward in this journey together, we are reminded that in the face of uncertainty, we must join together in our efforts and put our faith in God. We must look to the power of faith, hope, and love through all of this. Join us today, December 29, at 2 p.m., for this week’s shared prayer about wearing face masks. The prayer is by The Rev. Richard Bott, Moderator at the United Church of Canada. Provided by Rev. Jeannette Sherril, Resident at Westminster Manor.

Download the prayer now

Today, Terry Rogers, the Chief Executive Officer for Westminster Communities of Florida, shares with us his Christmas letter to our team members. He reflects on the past year and shared positive messages with the news of COVID-19 vaccines being administered at communities as well as good wishes for these holidays. Read the letter below.

Today, Terry Rogers, the Chief Executive Officer for Westminster Communities of Florida, shares with us his Christmas letter to our team members. He reflects on the past year and shared positive messages with the news of COVID-19 vaccines being administered at communities as well as good wishes for these holidays. Read the letter below.

Christmas Letter to Team Members

Dear Westminster Communities of Florida residents and team members,

It is with great hope that I write to you at the end of this highly unusual year. Christmastime is a time of hope and joy in the world. So it is appropriate that during the week of Christmas, we are beginning to see that the end of this pandemic is in sight. I am thrilled to share with you that the first groups of Westminster residents and team members are now receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.

We actually have much to celebrate this year. Today, our family is stronger than ever, thanks to all of you. We want to thank our team members for their incredible dedication. We have also seen amazing gifts made to our organization, thanks to the generosity of the residents we serve and their families and loved ones.

This Christmas, we see brighter days ahead. Your spirit has been an inspiration during dark times and helps to spread the joy of the season. Psalm 126 says, “The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.”

On behalf of our leadership team, we extend our most sincere good wishes for these holidays. May peace, hope, love and joy surround you and yours.

Merry Christmas, happy holidays and a warm New Year to you!

Sincerely,

Terry Rogers

Chief Executive Officer

How We’re Making The Holiday Season Special

It wouldn’t be the holiday season without special celebrations. So for the 7,000 residents of Westminster Communities of Florida, this year’s holiday celebrations will still be special, even while we and millions of Americans are practicing social distancing to avoid the spread of COVID-19.

Our Resident Experience teams have been hard at work coming up with amazing and delightful ways to celebrate the holidays, throughout the state. During the entire month and into the New Year, residents and team members alike are enjoying events to celebrate their faith and share in the joy of the season.

Here’s just a few of the fun ways our communities are celebrating the holidays this year:

• Hanukkah Celebrations: At Westminster Winter Park, we held a Hanukkah Party with a special service from the Jewish Pavilion. Over in St. Petersburg, Westminster Suncoast hosted a special Festival of Lights presentation.
• Family Fun: Residents of Westminster Towers, in Orlando, will enjoy “Pancakes and Pajamas,” our yearly Christmas Eve event, where residents are invited to wear their pajamas and enjoy homemade pancakes. In addition, they can spend their mornings playing games and winning raffles!
• Puzzles & Games: How about a game of “Family Feud” or live trivia? Westminster Suncoast, Westminster Oaks and Westminster Shores residents all have been challenging their minds with fun games themed around the different holidays this season.
• Creative Christmas: From Holiday potpourri sachet making at Westminster Manor to origami classes and Christmas card competitions, we’re getting creative this year. Residents enjoyed a zoom painting class where they made a whimsical snowman at Westminster Palms.
• Tasty Treats: Residents are happily full from all the seasonal snacks and specialty drinks this month. Westminster Woods on Julington Creek are delivering cups of hot cocoa with cookies and peppermint sticks to residents. While in Bradenton, Westminster Point Pleasant just hosted a Gingerbread House competition that is sure to make mouths water as they view the displayed winning houses.
• Ringing In The New Year: Every community will be celebrating a fresh start with the New Year. Westminster Winter Park will be hosting a dueling piano show with a champagne toast, and their neighbors at Westminster Towers are grilling up a New Years Eve cookout with music and dancing.

“Our Resident Experience Team has done an awesome job in making this holiday season amazing for all of the residents of Westminster Communities of Florida”, said Mario DeLuca, Vice President of Resident Experience. “It will be difficult for our residents to be away from their loved ones, but this year they will still be celebrating with their Westminster family.”

Are you looking to make the holiday special? You can try some of our signature recipes for Hanukkah, Christmas and New Year’s in the comfort of your own home this year. And be sure to follow us on Facebook @WestminsterCommunitiesFL to see all of the great events throughout the month.

To learn more about how you can enjoy living at a Westminster community, contact us today or call us at (800) 948-1881.

Join Us In A Shared Prayer

We are continuing to pray for the health of all of Westminster, and the world. As we move forward in this journey together, we are reminded that in the face of uncertainty, we must join together in our efforts and put our faith in God. We must look to the power of faith, hope, and love through all of this. Join us today, December 22, at 2 p.m., for this week’s special Christmas shared prayer. The prayer was provided by Steve Coss, Chaplain at Westminster Suncoast.

Download the prayer now

Join Us In A Shared Prayer

We are continuing to pray for the health of all of Westminster, and the world. As we move forward in this journey together, we are reminded that in the face of uncertainty, we must join together in our efforts and put our faith in God. We must look to the power of faith, hope, and love through all of this. Join us today, December 15, at 2 p.m., for this week’s shared prayer. The prayer was provided by Sandra Knoble, Regional Vice President of Operations, Westminster Communities of Florida.

Download the prayer now

We are continuing to pray for the health of all of Westminster, and the world. As we move forward in this journey together, we are reminded that in the face of uncertainty, we must join together in our efforts and put our faith in God. We must look to the power of faith, hope, and love through all of this. Join us today, December 8, at 2 p.m., for this week’s shared prayer. The prayer was provided by Marie Thomas, a resident of Westminster Shores.

Download the prayer now

Enhancing Our Resident Family Connection Program with New TabletsFor residents and families of Westminster Communities of Florida’s Health Centers, communication and connection during a pandemic can be difficult. But with a new Communicative Technology Grant from the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), we are now able to offer additional technology to facilitate video calls using tablets.

We received the tablets after being given approval for more than $25,000 in grants for our communities to purchase these new devices, thanks to CMS.

That’s why Westminster Communities of Florida created our Resident Family Connection program to facilitate video calls for Health Center residents and their family members. A video call can be a support for someone who misses seeing their grandkids, or a lifeline for husband and wife to stay in touch when one is receiving long-term nursing care or recuperating from a major surgery. Through our Resident Family Connection program, Westminster has worked with our residents to help them keep in contact virtually.

With the approval of this grant, we have been able to provide 60 tablets for use by residents living in our Health Centers in nine communities. Our team members love helping residents utilize these tablets and connect with their families.

A Resident Using One of the Tablets“It’s been wonderful to be able to see and talk to my parents with these video calls,” said Suzanne Heffinger, whose parents live at Westminster Towers in Orlando. Heffinger said that, with all the necessary restrictions that are in place for the safety of all residents and employees, it’s been hard not visiting her parents – but also a reassurance that they’re safe. “Missing out on a month or a few months is so important, I’d rather that they be safe,” she said. “They would not have been able to do these video calls on their own, but every Friday at 12 o’clock, someone’s there to help them get on FaceTime.”

Thank you to CMS and AHCA for the grant and the opportunity to facilitate better connections between residents and their families.