With vaccine distribution underway, Chicago seniors look to a brighter 2021
After a successful first vaccine clinic at Belmont Village Lincoln Park with 100% participation from residents, Belmont Village Senior Living is pleased to share that the first Geneva Road resident to be vaccinated on January 18, 2021 will be 105-year-old, World War II Veteran, David Hilgenberg— a courageous, COVID-19 survivor who has lived through both the pandemics of 1918 and 2019. The vaccine rollout at Belmont Village Geneva Road (Carol Stream) will be followed by the Oak Park community on January 21.
“As we begin to roll out the highly anticipated, priority vaccinations of our Chicagoland communities, we have seen an overwhelming excitement and eagerness to receive it from all residents and staff. There is a great sense of hopefulness amongst our residents that life as they previously knew it is within reach—a life which includes lots of visits and hugs from family members and friends,” says Patricia Will, Founder and CEO of Belmont Village. “While our seniors have certainly shown their resilience and strength throughout the pandemic, we look forward to continuing to protect them with the gift of immunity, ensuring rich and fulfilling lives at Belmont Village.”
Leading up to the vaccination clinics, Belmont Village has made certain that residents, their families, and staff are informed and understand the vaccine by holding various educational webinars with top medical experts. On January 13th, Belmont Village Lincoln Park hosted a successful first round of vaccinations. The very first resident of that community, Paula Duffaut, was the first to roll up her sleeve and receive the vaccine. To date, Belmont Village has vaccinated over 1,000 residents and staff, including residents from the five Chicagoland communities and other locations across the country.
Belmont Village Senior Living communities are designed to balance hospitality, community, and care with leading medical attention and resources – a boon to many seniors throughout the pandemic. In 1994 Patricia was in search of a senior living community for her mother-in-law which provided strong clinical support in a warm and engaging environment. Three years later, she broke ground on the first Belmont Village Senior Living community in Houston. The idea was to ensure that other families had the option that she was unable to find during her own search: a place where seniors enjoy first rate hospitality and care in order to thrive.
Offering an all-under-one-roof composite of independent living, assisted living and memory care, Patricia’s vision has flourished into 31 Belmont Village Senior Living communities in major markets across the U.S. and in Mexico City.
“We will continue to follow all safety protocols as our seniors await the second and final round of vaccinations to be fully immunized from COVID-19. We know the vaccine will be a gamechanger for all residents, staff and their families and we could not be more excited,” adds Will.