It\u2019s been a long year for residents and staff at the Drew Nursing Home.<\/p>\n
The nursing home has been mercifully spared from any COVID-19 outbreaks, not even a single case, but residents have suffered long periods of isolation throughout these past 12 months.<\/p>\n
Visitors are only allowed in during the yellow phase of COVID-19 restrictions, which have been few and far between this year.<\/p>\n
Executive Director Linda Shannon is relieved that all residents remained well physically, but doesn\u2019t deny that there has been a toll on mental wellness due to isolation.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe haven\u2019t had our families and visitors in\u2026 it\u2019s been very lonely for the residents,\u201d says Shannon. \u201cWhen we\u2019re in the red [or orange] phase, we don\u2019t have any visitors at all. So it\u2019s only when we\u2019re in the yellow phase that we have socially distanced visits, as well as a designated support person program where their families can come in and visit. So it\u2019s been it\u2019s been a long, tough year.\u201d<\/p>\n
The home has fallen into a routine over the course of the year.<\/p>\n
Last March, when Shannon and staff were constantly learning new information about the COVID-19 virus, changes in procedure had to be made nearly every day.<\/p>\n
Thankfully, the home now has a consistent \u201cnew normal.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAt one point staff were changing the uniforms when they came in,\u201d Shannon recalls. \u201cWe were all learning things. So now, a year later, a lot of the things are\u2026 I hate to use the word \u2018norm,\u2019 but people are used to doing certain things.\u201d<\/p>\n
Shannon and nursing home staff organized activities, digital visits, and distanced community engagement for residents even during red phases.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s the small things, she says, that residents really appreciate.<\/p>\n
The home received iPads from the government so residents could FaceTime their relatives, which Shannon says was helpful.<\/p>\n
Staff have also been creative, and try to make holidays special. They handed out Valentines and prop roses for Valentine\u2019s Day, and are planning an Easter routine in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n
Most residents and staff have received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and are anticipating their second shots in a matter of weeks.<\/p>\n
Shannon is considering the future of the Drew Nursing Home\u2019s future week by week, and is keeping an eye on the COVID-19 variant cases popping up around the province.<\/p>\n
She hopes that in due time, with enough of the population vaccinating, the Drew can resume its open-door policy.<\/p>\n
Hear this story as reported:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n