November 2, 2020
Greetings!

Last fall, things at Culpepper Garden were very routine. Staff and volunteers were immersed in large group activities and holiday celebrations while family members were frequent visitors to the building. This fall is so vastly different as we continue to navigate our way together through the global pandemic. Despite these turbulent times, we have so much for which to be thankful. We are thankful for the beautiful gardens and grounds that are resplendent in their fall colors; the care and compassion of our residents, families, staff and supporters; and our newly renovated building.

Most important, we are thankful that our residents are COVID free even as cases of COVID19 continue to rise throughout the nation. This fall, I encourage you to take a moment to count your blessings and ask how you can be a blessing to someone in need right now. You don’t have to look much further than our doors to find older adults with many needs that Culpepper alone can't fulfill. Read on to find out what we’ve been up to and how your support can make a difference this fall and into the holiday season.    
Dental Clinic Provides Needed Oral Care for Older Adults
Culpepper Garden residents are now able to receive free on-site dental services, thanks to our collaboration with the Fenwick Foundation Dental Program and Enriching Lives Program. The program had previously been available to Assisted Living residents. Starting in October, the program expanded to include low-income older adults who are residents of Culpepper Garden’s Independent Living apartments.

The Fenwick Foundation has waived their usual modest co-payment during the COVID crisis to ensure that dental services are accessible for residents in need. Medicare doesn't cover most dental care and many of our residents live on very thin margins and cannot afford to pay for dental care. Yet, research has shown that oral health is an essential part of overall health and well-being.
 
Currently, dental services are being provided on-site one day per month. Services offered include exams, X-Rays, dental cleanings, debridements, dental scaling & root planning, simple extractions, restorations (cavity “drilling and filling), simple extractions, and fluoride varnish. The dentist can see up to six people per visit. Our goal is to secure future funding to increase the visit to two times per month to accommodate the significant number of residents who have signed up to receive dental care. 
Dementia Care Training
Thanks to the generosity of a caring donor, Culpepper Garden’s Assisted Living staff participated in a six-part virtual training series on Alzheimer's & Dementia Care. The series was presented by Teepa Snow, one of the world's leading educators on dementia and the care that accompanies it. Teepa is an occupational therapist with forty years of clinical practice experience and founder of Positive Approach® to Care (PAC). Session focused on a variety of topics includes positive communication strategies, helping with hygiene and personal care, coping with challenging situations and behaviors and more.
This training is extremely valuable in serving residents with cognitive impairments and providing staff the opportunity to increase their knowledge and proficiency. We are so grateful to our friends and donors who support our work to meet the needs of our most frail, elderly residents and improve the lives of residents with memory impairment.  
A Community Thrives... and so does our Garden
Thank you to everyone who supported Culpepper Garden in USA Today’s A Community Thrives challenge. We are excited to announce that 26 donors contributed $4,470 to support our garden restoration fundraiser. We are also in the running to be considered for additional grant funds from the Gannett Foundation. This month, we will begin planting daffodil bulbs to form our Daffodil Lane walking trail this spring. We’ll also be adding benches, picnic tables and pergolas. We can’t wait to share the transformation made possible because of donor support. Thank you and look for your invitation to tour the gardens in bloom this spring. 
Countdown to Giving Tuesday
#GivingTuesday is a global day of giving that harnesses the collective power of individuals, communities and organizations to encourage philanthropy and to celebrate generosity worldwide. Following Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday, this year’s #GivingTuesday will take place on Tuesday, December 1st and will kick off the giving season by inspiring people to collaborate and give back. Culpepper Garden is excited to take part in this day of giving and we'll soon be sharing more information on how you can contribute. 
Culpepper Garden Unveils New Look
After Renovation
Culpepper Garden recently held a ribbon cutting celebration following the completion of an extensive renovation and modernization of its CG1 building. In light of COVID19, the ribbon cutting was held virtually and included remarks from our board chair and renovation partners along with a tour of the renovated building and gardens. In case you missed it, here is the link to watch: https://youtu.be/BoUGryOwsa8

We wish you all could see the amazing transformation that has taken place at Culpepper Garden. Although visitation is still limited, Marta Hill Gray, our new Executive Director looks forward to hosting one-on-one and small group tours of the building and gardens. We’ll be reaching out to our supporters in next few weeks but if you are interested in signing up for a tour now, please email our Development office at [email protected]. 
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