Residents and staff at long-term care facilities feel hopeful the worst of the pandemic is behind them, as life in those facilities returns to some semblance of pre-pandemic normal.
This comes after a year of loss and isolation, as facilities grappled with COVID-19 outbreaks that sickened and killed dozens of residents in the Twin Cities.
Westminster Village in Bloomington saw two outbreaks. About 75 residents contracted the novel coronavirus, according to state data. Fifteen of them died.
Chastyn Oliver is resident services assistant at Westminster. Her job usually revolves around improving residents’ quality of life by organizing social events and activities—from bingo to group exercises. But when COVID hit, Oliver said the focus shifted to keeping residents connected to the outside world.
“It went from being about activities to making sure that every resident was able to keep in contact with family—whether it was via Skype, iPads, or we were even using our own cell phones just to make sure that residents could keep in touch with their family members,” Oliver said.
Family members weren’t able to visit loved ones in long-term care facilities for much of the last year. COVID protocols also meant support staff was slimmed down to reduce traffic in and out of nursing homes.
Jeni Leach, a registered nurse at Westminster, said that meant going without the help of hospice nurses, pharmacists, and dietary workers.
“Nobody could come into the floor—just the CNAs and the nurses would stay on that for the whole day, not be able to leave. It was really just us and the residents,” she said.
Leach said it also meant having to stand in for family members as a hand to hold when residents were ill or afraid.
“Whenever I have the chance, I'll sit with somebody and hold their hand. But I mean, with COVID, everyone was sick. So really, it was hard to be able to spend that one-on-one times,” Leach said. “You're really just trying to make sure (medications) were passed, people were taken care of, helping the CNAs pass trays—it was very hard.”
Oliver said virtual visits were a life line during the pandemic. But there were hiccups.
“Sometimes even just being able to understand each other was a lot more difficult. If we were having a bad connection that day, sometimes calls didn't go through or the call wasn't just going very well,” Oliver said. “We did see people who were hard of hearing have a lot of difficulty. So, of course, we got creative and did what we could using devices to amplify their hearing. But sometimes that doesn't even always work.”
"You can just feel the difference in the building. The residents are just more chipper—more like themselves before the pandemic."Chastyn Oliver
Window visits were a huge boost for residents, Oliver said, because they were able to see their family members—not on a screen—and talk to them on the phone from inside the facility.
Oliver said Westminster staff also made it a priority to ensure every resident was seen each day, outside of routine caregiving duties.
“Even if it was just spending a few minutes with them so that way, in some capacity, they could have interaction,” Oliver said. “Of course, we had to take precautions during that time. But we did our best to see every single individual.”
Those precautions are finally easing. Leach said nearly all residents and staff have been fully vaccinated against COVID. After vaccinations, she said, Westminster hasn’t had any new coronavirus cases turn up in weekly testing.
In-person visits also have resumed. Residents are once again able to participate in activities and interact with one another.
Oliver said residents are excited to interact with others after being confined to their rooms during COVID lockdowns with little to do besides watch television and read the paper.
And, being reunited with loved ones has made a world of difference, she said.
“(Family reunions are) emotional, but in a very beautiful way,” Oliver said. “You can just feel the difference in the building. The residents are just more chipper—more like themselves before the pandemic.”
Leach said that’s helped staff feel at peace, as well.
The pandemic is not over. New coronavirus variants continue to spread. Vaccination rates have slowed. But Leach said within Westminster, they’ve seen a light at the end of the tunnel.
“I feel like we're on the other side of this,” said Leach. “Everyone's happy. We're just going to live in the moment. If there is a chance that we have to shut down the unit again or keep the families out, we'll just enjoy it while we can.”
