The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services estimates 811,500 seniors live in residential care facilities and 1.3 million seniors live in nursing homes (statistics from 2015). To protect those who are most at risk of complications from COVID-19, health officials implemented strict rules for facilities with older residents.Those rules have created challenges for family and friends to stay connected to the residents.Carol Iten and Cameron Gruenberg are directors of sales and marketing at Melody Living in Colorado Springs. Gruenberg said in the beginning, the changes were tough for families, but once they saw that all the regulations were actually protecting their loved ones, they were more understanding. ìThe morale of everyone is much better now,î Gruenberg said. ìWeíve had to figure out ways to keep our residents socially distanced but yet happy and still able to interact with each other. We just had an Octoberfest celebration, and the residents were out on the patio together; we followed the rules and protocols but it was a great opportunity to get them together.îThey provided patio and window visits for family and friends during the summer. Iten said with window visits, the resident is inside and the visitor is on the other side, both have access to a phone. During outdoor patio visits, residents and visitors wear masks and sit 6 feet apart.Presently, visitations take place Thursday through Saturday, with more hours and Sunday visits to start soon. Iten said they had to limit visitation times because it takes time to disinfect after every visit, an aide needs to be available to monitor the visit and visitorsí temperatures need to be taken, and they have to complete questionnaires. She said they make exceptions for out-of-town family members. For example, one resident hadnít seen anyone for six weeks; when her family came to town on an impromptu visit, they made sure they were able to visit.Gruenberg said they started construction on an indoor visitation room, which will have its own upgraded ventilation system and a private entrance for indoor visits this winter. It should be done by the end of October and be in use by early November.He said the residents are doing their best to keep each othersí spirits up. They talk with each other about who came to visit and are doing their best to stay connected.Steve Feldman is the owner of New Day Cottages ó residential assisted living homes in Colorado Springs. He said the families are handling all the changes pretty well. ìDifferent people have different perspectives,î Feldman said. ìIíve had people tell me itís more important for mom or dad to have contact with their family at this stage of life. Itís tough trying to navigate that and keep everyone happy and healthy. Fortunately, the families have been willing to follow the guidelines even if they donít agree with them.îHe said it is hard for the residents because they are scared, but they want to be with family. Feldman said, ìWe keep an eye on their care and keep them engaged during the day.î If the weather is nice, they have activities in the courtyard and the residents can open the windows in the dining room while social distancing inside. He said the staff is doing a good job of stepping up their interactions and engagements with the residents. ìThey are trying to make it fun for the residents and have even come to work all wearing silly hats,î he said.Visitation times are three days a week ó outdoor visits only. He said they screen visitors and take their temperatures; everyone wears a mask and abides by social distance measures during the visit. ìWe have someone monitoring the visit to make sure another resident doesnít wander into the area and safe distancing is followed. Touch is so important to the elderly but we canít hug right now,î Feldman said. The residents also have access to an iPad, which allows for virtual visits with their family or friends.One of the challenges seniors face, especially with all the COVID regulations, is loneliness, he said. They address that by encouraging residents to participate in group interactions and activities while socially distancing and wearing masks.Dru Wasson is a longtime friend of Jo, who lives at Melody Living, an assisted living facility in Colorado Springs. She said, ìJo has amazed me with her ability to adapt to the circumstances. For someone who is legally blind, can’t talk or walk and has the use of only one hand, she just keeps on going.†Maybe her strong Christian faith as the widow of a former minister has helped her through this. The facility has done a good job of taking care of their residents and keeping them from being too isolated and alone and have kept us updated on what is happening inside.îAccording to an AARP article on the Iowa AARP website, ìStaying in touch with loved ones in nursing homes and long-term care facilities,î they suggested the following: Make sure the facility has the most up-to-date emergency contact information. Verbally communicate with loved ones by phone or video call; play a game of trivia, work on a crossword puzzle together, sing songs or read poetry. For those who are more technologically advanced, consider a video call via various platforms such as FaceTime, Skype, Zoom, etc. Appoint one member of the family to be the liaison with the facility. Utilize your family council as a way to communicate with the facility and advocate for residents. Invite facility staff to present information about virus protection/response and infection control at a virtual family council meeting. Send cheerful cards and notes, not only to your loved ones, but also to other residents and staff. Facilities might be short staffed and dealing with new operating procedures; this is a hard time for them as well.†
