cakes@neighborhoodriorancho.com

(505) 962-4121

Ext.  4121    (505) 238-2445 (Cell)

COVID-19 UPDATE: 

• NIRR continues to test 25% of Health Care residents and 20% of Health Care staff on a weekly basis.
• NIRR continues to do random testing of Assisted Living and Memory Care residents and staff too.
• NIRR remains COVID-19 free.

LIFE ENRICHMENT UPDATES:

• New Bus: Keep on the look-out for information about “Throwing a Cruise” in the new 22-passenger bus in the near future.  Mark Campiglia has a CDL and is ready to roll.  We are working on a short, day trip within New Mexico using social distancing in the bus while wearing your mask.  Depending on interest, we may have to schedule several options.  Destination suggestions are welcome!!
• IL Flu Shots: Deb Meadows, Certified Nursing Assistant, with Life Enrichment Health Services, is working with Wal-Mart Pharmacy to come to NIRR Haverland Hall to give flu shots to IL residents utilizing social distancing and mask wearing. We anticipate a date in September during the week.
  • A sign-up sheet is posted at the Hospitality Desk if would like to be on the list. You may visit the desk or call Extn. 0 with your name, apartment number and extension.
  • At this juncture, we are only garnering interest for the flu shot to make sure there are enough interested residents. Pre-registration with the pharmacy will be required at a later date and you would need your ID and health insurance card. We will keep you updated as logistics unfold.

HEALTH CARE UPDATE:

• Licensure Change: Memory Care Power of Attorneys for Residents received notice that the area has been relicensed by the NM Department of Health at the request of NIRR as Health Care first floor which still houses Memory Care residents.
  • The next step is working with the Centers for Medicare/Medicaid for dual certification. Benefits include:  secured Memory Care Unit with skilled capability, 24/7 nurse; all Certified Nursing Assistants and ability for residents to utilize Medicaid benefits when necessary.  NIRR is waiting dual certification approval from CMS which could take a few months.
• Hospice Choice: Del Corazon Hospice is a Haverland Carter Lifestyle Group sister organization based out of Santa Fe.  If your loved one needs hospice, please call Tina Marie Gonzales, Clinical Director/Nurse Practitioner for Advance Hospice and Palliative Care at 505-501-4408. Available at the location of your choice.

DINING UPDATES:

• Dining Comment cards were distributed to all apartments. Extra comment cards are available at the Hospitality Desk.  We want to hear from you; good and bad.  Please deposit your comment cards in the box outside of the Ponderosa Dining Room or return with your tickets.

UPCOMING EVENT – August 12^th 2 – 4 p.m.:

• Pop Pops Italian Ice will be at the NIRR front entrance outside in their truck for employees to receive a treat.
• Independent Living residents may join in the fun to cool off too. A large Italian Ice is $4.00 cash.

REMINDERS:

• MASKS: Mandatory when in public in New Mexico except eating or drinking.
• TRAVEL OUTSIDE OF NM: Anybody traveling to New Mexico from out-of-state, including New Mexicans, whether by car or air, you MUST quarantine 14 days. Staff will have this requirement too.
• Hospital, ER, Doctor Appointments: You DO NOT need to quarantine 14 days upon your return; it is merely a suggestion.

Information subject to change

cakes@neighborhoodriorancho.com

(505) 962-4121

Ext.  4121    (505) 238-2445 (Cell)

COVID-19 UPDATE: 

• NIRR is testing 25% of Health Care residents and 20% of Health Care staff on a weekly basis.
• NIRR continues to do random testing of Assisted Living and Memory Care residents and staff too.
• NIRR remains COVID-19 free.

SWIMMING POOL/HOT TUB:

• We contacted the acting pool manager for the Rio Rancho office of the NM Environment Department to see if we could convert our Class C pool to a therapy pool. He said that a therapy pool needs to be built and piped to a specific design. A remodel of a pool to convert to a therapy pool runs about $30,000. It also requires a therapist at all times performing therapy to patients. It requires a special, secondary filtration system, and all the piping needs to be sized to meet the flow of the water.
  • Since NIRR pool is classified as a Class C pool, we are sorry that we are still not allowed to open it or the hot-tub for your enjoyment.
  • Residents are welcome to call the Rio Rancho Aquatic Center located at 745 Loma Colorado at 505-891-5230. It is open for lap swimming or walking pool only Monday – Friday 6:00 a.m. – 5 p.m. Closed from 11:30 am. to 1:30 p.m.  Open Saturday from 1200 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and closed on Sundays.

EMPLOYEES:

• Update on promotion of Susan Fullinwider: Instead of relocating to the position of Unit Assistant for Assisted Living, she has been promoted to Executive Assistant reporting to me.  Susan will be the supervisor of the receptionists; she replaces Norma Borba.  Susan will be training our new receptionists (Ariel and Dionne) at the Hospitality Desk next week.
• Effective immediately, all employees in all departments now have the option of choosing whatever hair color they wish and it does not have to be covered unless it is required as part of their department uniform.

GROUNDS:

• Red Shovel, groundskeeper, is replacing, adding and repositioning sprinkler heads on the courtyard grass area and soon we should see improvement in the grass.
• Plant Ops along with some members of the Building and Grounds Committee will be working on replacement of dead plants with colorful plants and bushes.

BUS:

• July 30^th was an exciting day with the arrival of NIRR’s new 22-passenger bus. Life Enrichment will be discussing how to use the new bus for outings while still keeping everyone safe.

QUIET HOURS:

• Suggested from 8 p.m. to 9 a.m. daily.

UPCOMING EVENT – August 12^th 2 – 3 p.m.:

• Pop Pops Italian Ice will be at the NIRR front entrance outside in their truck for employees to receive a treat.
• Independent Living residents may join in the fun to cool off too. A large Italian Ice is $4.00 cash.

REMINDERS:

• MASKS: Mandatory when in public in New Mexico except eating or drinking.
• TRAVEL OUTSIDE OF NM: Anybody traveling to New Mexico from out-of-state, including New Mexicans, whether by car or air, you MUST quarantine 14 days. Staff will have this requirement too.

Information subject to change

cakes@neighborhoodriorancho.com

(505) 962-4121

Ext.  4121    (505) 238-2445 (Cell)

COVID-19 UPDATE: 

• Since NiRR HealthCare has tested one hundred percent negative for three weeks in a row, we now only need to test 25% of Health Care residents and 20% of Health Care staff weekly going forward.
• NiRR Health Care was surveyed by the NM Department of Long-Term Aging for Infection Control Practices and Processes. We passed with flying colors.
  • An earlier Infection Control survey by the NM Department of Health on June 20^th was deficiency free also.

PONDEROSA:    DINING ROOM EXTENSION TO CALL:  4156

• No changes after Governor Press conference of 7-23-20.
  • Tickets delivered day prior and delivery or pick-up is available.

BISTRO:            BISTRO EXTENSION TO CALL:  4224

• Beginning Sunday, July 26^th, full menu will be available.
  • No delivery for the Bistro orders; pick-up only.

ADMINISTRATION NEWS:

• Hospitality Desk:
  • Susan has been promoted to Unit Assistant for Assisted Living. She will be training new receptionists before she transitions.  Congratulations!!!
  • In my next communication, I will introduce the new faces at the desk of NiRR.

MARKETING NEWS:

• You might have noticed on the third-floor social area there is an addition of the NiRR model. Many of you may have seen this model at the off-site marketing office while NiRR was being built. Phase II could be a different configuration when the appropriate time comes.  This Phase II is only a rendering and there are no plans at the present time to begin construction.  La Vida Llena is still in the midst of construction for their private Health Care rooms.

LIFE ENRICHMENT NEWS:  Hawaiian Day on July 30^th

• Wear your Island attire
• Snack cart will come to your apartment between 2 – 4 p.m.
• Hawaiian Face Mask Competition; be creative!

REMINDERS:

• MASKS: Mandatory when in public in New Mexico except eating or drinking.
• TRAVEL OUTSIDE OF NM: Anybody traveling to New Mexico from out-of-state, including New Mexicans, whether by car or air, you MUST quarantine 14 days. Staff will have this requirement too.

Information subject to change

cakes@neighborhoodriorancho.com

(505) 962-4121

Ext.  4121    (505) 238-2445 (Cell)

COVID-19 UPDATE: 

• 95% of NiRR residents, staff and contractors are COVID free as of today’s date. We are waiting on the remaining results.
• Any staff or contractor who tests positive must quarantine 14 days and test double negative before returning to work.
  • No residents or staff in all levels of care have exhibited symptoms.
    • All Staff and Supportive Care Residents continue to be monitored with temperature checks and the DOH mandated questions.
  • Independent Living residents are welcome to get your temperature checked at the hospitality desk during operating hours (M-F 8 – 6 p.m. and Sat. & Sun. 9 – 5 p.m.)
  • If Independent Living residents would like to get tested, there are many testing sites in Albuquerque and Rio Rancho. In a prior communication, I gave information on the Balloon Park on Alameda.

DINING INFORMATION:

• Dining staff will deliver meal tickets to all IL apartment niches by noon the day prior.
• Residents will then fill out and put ticket on niche no later than 8 a.m. the next morning.
• Delivery or pick up options are available.
  • If you prefer pick-up from Haverland Hall, write your preferred time on ticket.
• The full dining menu is being offered.
• If you would like some other item other than the daily menu, write it on the bottom or the back of the ticket.
  • DINING ROOM EXTENSION TO CALL: 4156
• Sara is returning so Bistro menu will be expanded.
  • No delivery for the Bistro orders (please place order Extn. 4224 and pick up).

PONDEROSA PATIO:

• Ponderosa Patio is open to enjoy your take-out but limited to two per table.
• Enjoy the shaded patio with Porta Coolers (thank your Plant Ops Team!!)
• Enter Ponderosa Patio through Haverland Hall on the west side of lobby.

MASKS:  Mandatory when in public in New Mexico except eating, drinking or exercising.

TRAVEL OUTSIDE OF NM:  Anybody traveling to New Mexico from out-of-state, including New Mexicans, whether by car or air, you MUST quarantine 14 days. Staff will have this requirement too. We have many gems in New Mexico for day trips or overnight trips.

LIFE ENRICHMENT NEWS:  If you haven’t heard, Linda Topf, Transportation Coordinator, is wanting a change of pace.  She had planned to leave sooner but then this word COVID-19 came into our vocabulary and messed up everyone’s plans, including Linda’s.  I have worked with Linda for many years and she will be greatly missed.  She has so much knowledge and experience especially as it relates to trip planning.  This is exactly the next career path Linda will be transitioning to.  We have the position posted and Linda has graciously agreed to stay until the position is filled which should be by mid-August. Linda developed “New Mexico Places to Go and Things to Do” below.

Linda has enjoyed planning trips for all of you here at the Neighborhood. Traveling with you has been the highlight of her time here. She looks forward to planning bigger trips with Expedia Cruises. She will plan Land, Air and Sea travel for you to the destination of your choice. Linda will also be planning group trips open to everyone. A trip to Idaho is being planned for Fall 2021. Other trips being planned are a 4-day cruise along the Mexican or the California Coast, a Trans-Atlantic cruise and an ocean to ocean cruise through the Panama Canal, in 2021 & 2022. Being part of a multi-national travel agency gives everyone who travels the best destinations for the best price.

When not planning travel, Linda will be spending time up at Pendaries, in her trailer; enjoying her grand-daughter and waiting for the current situation to improve. She looks forward to traveling when it is safe to do so. Contact Linda at 505-999-7846 or ltopf@expediacruises.com. Her website is www.expediacruises.com/lindatopf.

NEW MEXICO PLACES TO GO & THINGS TO DO

ALAMOGORDO

Located in the southeast part of NM, 228 miles and 3.5 hours away, its attractions are numerous and interesting. Take Hwy 25 South, past Socorro to Hwy 380 and head east to Carrizozo, then south on Hwy 54 to Alamogordo. Travel time

Check out https://alamogordonmtrue.com/ for the places to see and things to do besides the NM Museum of Space History.

Combine this trip with a night in Cloudcroft.

CLOUDCROFT

Located South and East of Albuquerque, this winter wonderland is great for a summer visit also. It is a 3.5 to 4-hour drive. Take Hwy 25 South, past Socorro to Hwy 380 and head east to Carrizozo, then south on Hwy 54 to Alamogordo then east on Hwy 82.

The Lodge in Cloudcroft is a great place to stay and to eat. Call ahead for reservations since they are operating at 50% capacity. https://www.thelodgeresort.com/

Other accommodations are listed here: http://www.cloudcroft.com/lodging.htm

There are lots of restaurants and sights to see. http://cloudcroft.com/info.htm

LAS VEGAS

Located in the Northeast corner of the NM, It is a history buffs’ idea of a vacation. Las Vegas, 115 miles and 1.45 hours away, is close to the place where the Mountain Branch and the Cimarron Branch of the Santa Fe Trail came back together. Fort Union was close by, protecting the trail. It was even in the running to be our state capitol! 900 structures in LV are on the Historical Register. LV is truly a step back in time.

For a historical treat stay at the Plaza or the Castaneda Hotels. And for a good meal, eat at Charlie’s Bakery and Café.

Amtrak stops in Las Vegas, next to the Castaneda Hotel, so consider traveling by train. https://www.visitlasvegasnm.com/

SANTA FE

The states Capitol is 55 miles away and takes about an hour to get there. The Plaza is the heart of Santa Fe. Historic buildings circle the Plaza and go out in all directions. Three historic Church’s grace Old Town; the Basilica of St Francis, the Loretto Chapel and the oldest church in the US, San Miguel Chapel.

Restaurants abound with something for everyone. Try Mexican, Spanish, French and American cuisine. You will not go hungry. The Plaza has several hotels for an overnight stay.

Take the Rail Runner for a comfortable and scenic trip to and from Santa Fe.

https://santafe.org/Visiting_Santa_Fe/Things_to_Do/Historic_Sites/index.html

SANTA ROSA

Travel back to the 50’s and travel the famous Route 66 to visit Santa Rosa. Located 134 miles and 2 hours east of Rio Rancho, this town of cars with fins and Artesian Swimming Holes is where the cool kids got their kicks. Wear your Poodle skirt to the local diners for a down home meal; then explore the historic downtown. https://visitsantarosanm.com/

https://www.newmexico.org/places-to-visit/regions/northeast/santa-rosa/?skip=0&sort=qualityScore&cityids=1315

SILVER CITY

Located in the Southwest part of NM, it is an adventurer’s dream destination.

It is more than the Gila National Forest or the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument. Those are great reasons to visit Silver City but you will find many more reasons by visiting: https://www.visitsilvercity.org/

Silver City is a 4-hour drive and 254 miles south. Take I25 then go west on Hwy 152 to Santa Clara, then west on Hwy 180 to Silver City. You might stop in Kingston and Hillsboro, ghost towns on Hwy 152.

Accommodations are available in and around Silver City so you can get the view and adventure you want.

TAOS

Places to visit on the way to Taos:  Rio Grande River Gorge Bridge on Hwy 64: this mid-60’s built bridge is the 10^th highest bridge in the US. A face lift in 2012 brought new sidewalks for visitors, so take a nice walk and enjoy a great view of the Rio Grande River below.

Earthship Biotecture: Turn off Hwy 64 and enter a fantasy place with fantastic and fanciful designed structures that serve as a visitor center, weekend getaway and homes. Guided Tours are available. Make reservations for a tour at least 2 weeks in advance. www.earthshipglobal.com/visit-us

Due to government restrictions, Kit Carson museum and the Taos Pueblo are not open currently. Check their websites before going to Taos, for updates.

Day Trips to Eagle Nest, Angel Fire and the Cimarron Canyon Park will add beauty and adventure to your trip.

TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES

This city located 2.5 hours and 168 miles south of Rio Rancho, on I25, changed its name back in the 60’s, to the name of a popular TV Game Show. I know many of us remember that show.

T or C, for short, is built around hot springs and you can stay in hotels that offer hot springs soaks to their guests. Sounds enjoyable.

The big draw for that area is Elephant Butte, a huge reservoir used for outdoor and water activities. But there are other things to do, like visiting the famous Spaceport. Call ahead to book a tour. You won’t regret it. http://www.torcnm.org/visitors/index.php

https://www.spaceportamerica.com/visit/

Ghost towns dot the area west of Truth or Consequences. Take Hwy 52 off I25 to Cuchillo, Winston then Chloride. Chloride is my favorite, a real Ghost town.

On Hwy 152, south of T or C, are the ghost towns of Hillsboro and Kingston. East of T or C was Engle, a train stop on the old Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe line. Goods travelled between Engle and the other ghost towns. The other ghost towns would send their ore and other goods to Engle for shipment east. You can also see what is left of Engle if you take the Spaceport tour when you cross the train tracks and turn south.

https://www.sierracountynewmexico.info/ghost-towns-and-historic-villages-of-sierra-county/

cakes@neighborhoodriorancho.com

(505) 962-4121

Ext.  4121    (505) 238-2445 (Cell)

COVID-19 UPDATE: 

• 100% of NIRR residents, staff and contractors are COVID free as of today’s date.
• All testing results of June 29, 30 and July 1st were negative for the 100% of Health Care residents and Health Care staff. All cross-over staff results were negative too.
  • The second round of NM Department of Heath mandated testing was conducted on July 8-10 for 100% of Health Care residents and a sampling of Assisted Living and Memory Care residents. All Health Care staff were tested and a sampling of other cross-over staff.
  • IF resident tests positive, the resident and Power of Attorney will be notified immediately. If you are not notified, the result was negative.
  • No residents or staff in all levels of care have exhibited symptoms.
    • All Staff and Supportive Care Residents continue to be monitored with temperature checks and the DOH mandated questions.
  • This is the second week of 100% testing. IF all results from this round are negative, then NIRR goes back to 15% testing of residents and staff.

DINING UPDATES:

• Because NIRR is considered a senior facility or retirement center, we are required to follow more stringent rules than Governor’s restrictions on restaurants.
• Beginning Monday, July 13^th, there will be no in-dining at the Ponderosa or Bistro.
• Also, the patio will NOT be available for waited table service.
• You may order your take-out for pick-up to enjoy wherever you wish except in any indoor common area.
• You still have the choice to dine in your apartment and have your meals delivered.
  • Menu selection tickets will be delivered each day beginning Sunday, July 12^th if you wish to order take out or have your meals delivered.
    • To the extent possible, the full Ponderosa and Bistro menus will be available on the tickets.

PLANT OPS UPDATE:

• M & D is the new exterminator. They attended to our pests on July 8^th and will provide services monthly.  If you see pests you don’t want to keep as a pet, please let me know.

MASKS and EXERCISE:

• Masks are mandatory when in public including while exercising whether it be in the NIRR walking group or on your own; this includes the NIRR Fitness Center.

TRAVEL OUTSIDE OF NM: 

• Please notify the Hospitality Desk if you are traveling.
  • If you are traveling outside New Mexico by any means of transportation:
• YOU MUST QUARANTINE 14 DAYS IN YOUR APARTMENT IF YOU TRAVEL OUTSIDE OF NM. Staff will have this requirement too to quarantine 14 days.

• 14-day quarantine means not leaving your apartment.  You may leave only in the event of an emergency.  No walks outside, no getting your mail, no visiting your neighbors.  Mail and meals will be delivered to you.
• No housekeeping during the 14-day quarantine.

TRANSPORTATION:

• Linda Topf of Life Enrichment is developing a list of gems to visit in New Mexico on a day trip or over-night trip since New Mexican’s can’t travel outside the state unless we quarantine 14 days upon return
• Also, Linda Topf’s last day will be July 31^st. We are sad to see her go but she has an exciting new chapter ahead that will utilize her unique talents.

Sorry, still no visitors in all levels of care.

Information subject to change.