Home Visit RequestDear Families,
We are looking ahead to the Christmas holiday home visit. We expect that COVID-19 transmission levels will continue to be high. We need your help when returning your family member to their respective homes. We do not have the nursing staff available to do rapid testing upon return. We are asking that families complete a COVID-19 home test on their family member prior to returning and complete the form that we provide (click here ). We do not need the actual test you used, just the results on the form. (Should the results be positive, please contact the Administrator or Director before bringing your resident back.)
Within several days of your resident's return, nursing will be doing PCR testing. This is a very nursing-intensive process, so it helps to spread out the testing. Our understanding is that home tests are readily available at your local drug store. We appreciate and need your cooperation with this process. Unless something changes, we will expect the same for Christmas. PLEASE NOTE: IF YOUR FAMILY MEMBER HAS HAD COVID-19 WITHIN THE LAST 60 DAYS, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO TEST.
Mary Pat O'Brien, Executive Vice President
by Cynthia Maroon
It’s hard to believe that it’s been almost 40 years since that day when Vicki and Patty Gloor, two of my best friends, and I drove Jon for his placement at Misericordia South. He was only 4 ½ years old, and it was one of the most difficult days of my life. Little did I know that it was also the beginning of what’s become Jon’s full, rich life! I must admit that for the first six years I felt guilty and sad, and I would cry on the way home after taking him back following our frequent home visits. But as the years rolled by, I slowly began to realize that Jon was not only happy at Misericordia South, but he was thriving there! He was surrounded by staff who called him “Chocolate Eyes,” and who could offer him so much special attention, loving care, and stimulation. With all of that, coupled with his weekly home visits where he was constantly entertained by his brother, Michael, and his sister, Laura, and all their friends, Jon was living what I can only call “the good life”! Eventually Misericordia started bussing him out to school in Oak Park and I could also visit him frequently when I became his elementary school, middle school, and finally his high school “honorary room mother”.
by Jim Varey
My brother, Steven, swims in the Men’s 50m Freestyle at the Special Olympics. Let me tell you about the last time he competed. Stephen had a great start, but hit a wall about three-quarters of the way through the race. I stood on the deck, but once he completed the initial 25m, I couldn’t see him on the return pass. When I did see him, it seemed he thought the race was completed. He was clearly gassed and aware that everyone was finishing ahead of him. But he dug deep in a futile effort to make up as much time as he could, even though it was evident that he couldn’t win or even place.
At this point, I stopped recording and hustled over to the top of his lane. The gym had previously been bustling with ovations and cheers, but now was eerily quiet. Before Steven put his head down to give it his all, he looked right at me as if to say, “I’m finishing this damn race!” For a moment, nothing else mattered and there was no one else in that gym besides my little brother and me. It was if we were kids back in Carol Stream at the Aldrin Swimming Center, trying to get to the last wall.
After a 2-year absence, the Misericordia Siblings and Misericordia Resident Artists were thrilled to be back in the Modern Wing of the of Art Institute to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Artist in All. Over 1,000 friends and family attended and partook in the silent auction of more than 200 pieces of artwork that were produced by Misericordia resident artists and their Art Instructors. Thank you to everyone who supported the event!
We will be reaching out this week to all the auction winners to arrange for pick up of their purchase. Congratulations to Kara Allen, winner of the American Airlines Raffle!
We celebrated our resident artists on the Red Carpet this week! Congratulations to all our artists! More than 200 pieces of artwork were on display at Misericordia for our residents and staff to enjoy! Now onto the main event at the Art Institute!
Click here to watch the Artist in All Red Carpet Event video.
Dear Families and Friends,
Today I am writing to you with a very special invitation – to support Misericordia’s residents with the gift of your time. We invite you to volunteer at one of Misericordia’s upcoming Holiday gatherings, which are much-loved celebrations for thousands of guests. From old friends to first-time visitors alike, they come to our campus this festive time of year to reconnect and learn more about our mission that serves our children and adults.
This year, as we return to in-person events, we are especially – and desperately – in need of your help. Our greatest current needs are for the weekday events and Sunday Holiday Brunches on:
by Elizabeth Green
On a regular basis, everyone sees how wonderful, talented and amazing our staff is. We hear from Sister Rosemary that we share our family members with our Misericordia family and never was this so obvious to our family than during the end of life.
Recently, my sister, Kathy, was in her last days. My parents and I experienced our McAuley staff at their finest. From the start of the end of life process, the staff let us know that they would be there for us, to support us through every step of the process.
We were able to be in constant contact with Kathy’s Director, Q, nurses and CNAs. They were all open to us calling in to check on Kathy when we couldn’t be there. They made sure she had all of her comforts and favorites: pillows, food and, most importantly, hugs and love.
Dear Families,
We are looking ahead to the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday home visits. We expect that COVID-19 transmission levels will continue to be high. We need your help when returning your family member to their respective homes.
We do not have the nursing staff available to do rapid testing upon return. We are asking that families complete a COVID-19 home test on their family member prior to returning and complete the form that we provide (below). We do not need the actual test you used just the results on the form.
November 14, 2022
Dear Fellow Employees and Families,
As you know, there have been some important organization and leadership changes at Misericordia in the past year: The advent of the Misericordia Foundation and Sister Rosemary and Lois’s move to become its leaders and some shifts at Misericordia Home. Through all these changes, we still maintain our focus on the residents and their families and our staff. Our mission is clear.
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