Local nursing home, assisted living, staying strong during the pandemic

I had a chance this past week to sit down and visit, via telephone, with our two local Elderly Care Facilities, and to see how they’re still coping 5-1/2 months into the Covid-19 Pandemic. I was very pleased with my findings.

First, I spoke with Administrator, Rich Herren of Arbor Grace Wellness Center. He relayed “They are still on Level 1 lockdown, meaning no indoor visitation allowed. So far, they’ve only had 2 Staff members test positive for the virus, but no residents.

The two Staff members quarantined themselves at home.”

When asked about the costs they expect to incur, on an ongoing basis, until the Pandemic concludes, Rich said: “Really nothing has changed for us. We have P.P.E’s (Personal Protective Equipment), and we have our normal costs.”

My next question was ‘How long can the Facility sustain operating at this pace’, and Rich had no comment at this time, but he responded: “Other than no indoor visitations, everything else is basically normal and we also have a “quarantine hall” for any residents that must go out for any physician appointments. When they return, they remain in quarantine for 14 days to be sure of no infection. We have all the protocol in place with the wearing of masks, 6-feet distancing, etc.” I inquired if the facility had ac

I inquired if the facility had acquired any Government funding, due to Covid-19, and he answered: “The Company is based out of Louisiana, and to my knowledge, they’ve received no funding. We’re just trying to keep everything as normal as possible for our residents. Is if they desire, they eat in the Dining Room, have activities, movies, all while observing the CDC and Texas Guidelines for safety and the 6-foot distancing rule.”

After my visit with the Administrator of Arbor Grace, I placed a call to the Manager of The Library of Legacy, Marsha Troche.

Marsha said they’re all doing well, and they’re in “Phase 1 of the reopening process, and probably will be for awhile.”

Phase 1 allows “two immediate family members,” which are mainly sons/daughters or those designated” to visit outdoors twice per week for 30 minutes, 6-foot distancing applies, as masks being worn.”This is going great as of now.”

I asked what were the three main costs she has inured Covid-19 cases or not, and she said “Those would be P.P.Es, many more cleaning supplies, more food costs, and these costs have definitely increased during this Pandemic. I’m sure they’ll continue, but the safety and health of all our Residents is our main concern and priority at all times, and we’ll continue doing whatever is necessary for them.

“I tell my Staff not to even try and come to work sick, even if they only feel slightly under the weather. Better for them to stay at home, so we put none of our little residents at risk.”

“Temperature of all Staff is taken before they are allowed to come in to work daily, masks are worn and any Staff that has a 99.5 fever or higher must immediately return home,”

My next question was “How long can the Facility sustain operating at this cost and pace?”

Marsha replied: “So far we’re doing very well, and if we can stay where we’re at at this present time, we will continue doing well. We will cut corners, if needed, as far as finding sales on these items go, and anytime I’m out, I try to go ahead and pick up things we need and we keep them stored in different areas here, so I can see that our residents are always well taken care of.”

Marsha reported that the Owner of the Library of Legacy has received the first Government loan for P.P.E. equipment and payroll, and that has helped.

I asked: “How has Covid-19 affected the way things get done?” She said: “We all do a lot of cleaning 24/7, throughout the days and nights, and we keep everything completely sanitized. We sanitize after every meal, when the residents come out for exercise to walk the halls, go outdoors for muchneeded sunshine and fresh air on our patio.

“We also sanitize after any Home Health workers or doctors visit any resident in the home.”

My final question was: “How has this Covid-19 lockdown affected the residents?”

Marsha responded: “It’s affected them a lot! Those with ad-vanced, noticeable dementia have declined quite a bit, and we do our best to keep their minds occupied with other things and activities. “We take walks in the hall, go outdoors, and today we have the ‘Mini and Friends South Plains’ which are ponies that visit with the residents out front. Everyone seems to enjoy seeing them and getting a chance to share love with Buttercup and Crackerjack, their two ponies.” “We also try for one-on-one

“We also try for one-on-one activities, staff to resident, if at all possible, such as doing the ladies’ hair, and the fact they’re able to come back to the Dining Room, although wearing their masks, they can see other residents while maintaining social distancing, has helped them tremendously to not feel so alone. Our residents are why we’re here, and we do whatever is needed for their health and care.”

In conclusion, it looks as if both our elderly care facilities are doing well, and our loved ones are in excellent hands.