Residents and staff members lined up to receive their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at three metro Denver senior-living facilities operated by Christian Living Communities, including two in Centennial, in early January.
Chris Miller, executive director at Holly Creek Retirement Community in Centennial, was confident that nursing home types of settings would be among the first in line for the vaccine in Colorado, but he wasn’t so sure that other kinds of senior facilities, such as assisted living, would also be included.
“So we’re thrilled,” said Miller, whose location offers a range of living arrangements for seniors.
The great majority of Holly Creek residents are excited about the vaccine’s arrival, and those who are hesitant seem to come around with more education, said Miller, who along with his staff “tries to dispel myths.”
To those who are uncertain about getting the vaccine, Miller suggests they “learn more about what went into the process of producing the vaccine.”
He also recalls “vaccines we got since we were kids — we didn’t think a second thought about them,” Miller said.
Miller emphasized that residents aren’t just sitting in their rooms despite the pandemic dragging on. The culture at Holly Creek is still vibrant — the in-house, resident-run radio station, Holly Creek Radio, is still going strong, Miller said. Events and dining still liven up the scene when it’s allowed and safe.
“We still have a lot of life happening here,” Miller said.
Christian Living Communities is a Colorado-founded, not-for-profit senior living company that oversees 22 communities in six states, according to a news release. The three Denver metro-area locations of Clermont Park (in Denver), Someren Glen and Holly Creek (both in Centennial) offer services that include independent living, assisted living, memory care and nursing-home care.
Those three locations saw clinics to administer the vaccine to residents and staff members in early January.