When winter weather hits North Carolina, many people worry about losing power, icy roads, grocery store runs and how they will prepare meals at home. But residents of Kintura’s life plan communities don’t have to.
The talented and dedicated teams at Glenaire in Cary; River Landing at Sandy Ridge near High Point; Scotia Village in Laurinburg; The Village at Brookwood in Burlington; and Well-Spring in Greensboro have deep experience in how to ensure residents’ lives are barely impacted when inclement weather strikes.
Recently, much of the state was blindsided by two consecutive weekends of intense winter weather. And all Kintura teams kicked into high gear – it takes a lot of planning, hard work and experience to pivot in serving residents under such circumstances.
Let’s take, for example, the efforts the Dining team at Well-Spring made during January’s inclement weather – efforts similar to those of other Kintura dining teams.
For Well-Spring’s Dining Director, Todd Dumke, and his team, a snow or ice forecast immediately activates a plan designed to keep residents safe and well fed. Preparation begins four to five days in advance. The team monitors the weather closely, evaluates team members’ roles and reviews menus to determine how to maintain quality while working safely.
Healthcare and Assisted Living residents in the main building continue receiving meals as usual. Adjustments are primarily made for Independent Living residents residing outside the main building. Menus may be streamlined, but quality remains the same. Comforting favorites such as chicken pot pie, pot roast and spaghetti still make their way to residents’ tables.
“We look at how to simplify without sacrificing quality,” Todd said. “Our top priority is making sure residents receive great meals in the safest way possible.”
When conditions are severe, Independent Living residents outside the main building can call in or submit meal orders using menus distributed ahead of the storm. The Dining team prepares and boxes each meal, organizes them by neighborhood and works alongside Security, Maintenance and Administration team members to deliver meals directly to residents’ doors.
Sometimes cooks and servers stay overnight at Well-Spring to prevent weather-related callouts and ensure service continues smoothly and safely the next day. Guest housing, empty apartments and villas are arranged so team members can remain on site and be ready to serve residents.
“I’m most proud of how willing our team is to adjust their lives to come in and provide hot meals,” Todd shared. “We always have more people willing to stay than we expect.”
For Todd, it is about more than food.
“It’s the core function of our job. We don’t just cook to provide calories. The whole department takes pride in what we do. Being able to care for residents in bad weather and pull it off successfully is very satisfying.”
For Residents of the Future, this level of preparation reflects the peace of mind that comes with living at a life plan community. There is no need to navigate icy roads or worry about how to prepare dinner in a storm. At Well-Spring – and all Kintura communities – service, safety and a hot meal are always within reach. When the forecast changes, the commitment does not.
By Jessica Ford
Kintura Content Specialist