Medical Director Leads Sedgebrook Senior Living Community in Confronting COVID-19

"The way that we have been confronting COVID has been effective, largely because of him," said Keegan Sawyer. The executive director of Sedgebrook was referring to Dr. Elliott Kroger, who has been the Medical Director at the senior living community in Lincolnshire since it first opened its doors 15 years ago. "His expertise, consistent and reassuring presence, and leadership have been a tremendous asset to our entire community."

Sedgebrook, with its on-campus Radford Green Health and Rehab Care Center, provides a complete continuum of care, including independent living, assisted living memory support, short-term rehabilitation, and skilled care.

As the Medical Director, Kroger oversees the on-site medical practice, the existence of which is a unique and valuable resource for the retirement community. While skilled care centers typically have medical clinicians that make visits to the residents, Sedgebrook's medical practice has two full-time physicians and a nurse practitioner exclusively for the residents.

Furthermore, Sedgebrook has access to additional on-site resources, including clinical psychologists, audiologists, podiatrists, and security provided around the clock by trained EMTs and paramedics. "All of these components provide 27/7, 365-care for all of our residents," said Kroger.

While important during the best of times, the presence of Dr. Kroger has been especially vital during the pandemic.

"When we first encountered COVID-19, there was not a lot of good information about the virus and how it was transmitted; even about the nature of the disease," Kroger said. He and a team of Sedgebrook's directors set up a task force to assess and address the continuously evolving situation. "We established a close working relationship with the Lake County Health Department and Illinois Department of Public Health, and carefully monitored Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. Like everyone else, we were starting from ground zero in terms of what was known about the virus. We did a great deal of reading, and we continually watched the guidelines that came out and were often reversed or changed. It was a little bit unsettling. There was not as much guidance as we would have liked, but we moved through the learning curve from ground zero about the virus and its behavior. We sat together, collected data, and figured out how to organize things," said Kroger.

One of Radford Green's major initiatives, launched by Keegan and the nursing team and overseen by Kroger, was cohorting the floors at Radford Green to isolate patients based on their potential to spread the virus. Separate areas were developed for those sick with COVID, those who were asymptomatic but under investigation for COVID, and healthy residents. "We also assigned fixed nursing to each area, which was critical. It's important for patients to see the same familiar nurse every day because that professional has a rapport as well as unique knowledge about the patient," he said. Additionally, not having staff cross into different areas helped decrease the potential to spread COVID. "This all served us well," Kroger said.

Last week, Radford Green residents and staff became among the first groups to start receiving the COVID-19 vaccine; a turning point about which Kroger is thrilled.

"The strength of how we survived and, dare I say, succeeded was truly a collaborative effort and different players including nursing, administration as well as the medical group, all brought their own strengths to the table. I'm proud of the work I've done, but this was and is too big an undertaking to be handled without a committed and hardworking team and I'm grateful for all their efforts, then and now," said Kroger.

Sawyer stressed that Kroger's presence, especially during this challenging time, has been incredibly helpful and reassuring and has had a tremendous impact on how Sedgebrook has navigated the pandemic. He added that Kroger has been asked to lead the COVID-19 Task Force for Life Care Services (LCS). LCS is among the leading organizations working in the senior living industry. "His leadership continues to guide not only us locally, but other senior living providers nationally," Sawyer said.

Sedgebrook

Sedgebrook is a Life Plan Community offering a diverse lifestyle, maintenance-free living, and outstanding amenities. Five-star rated Radford Green Health Care, and Rehabilitation is located on the 72-acre Sedgebrook campus in Lincolnshire, Illinois. Sedgebrook is a Senior Care Development, LLC affiliated community and managed by Life Care Services LLC. For additional information, visit www.WelcomeToSedgebrook.com or call 847-901-3319.