COVID-19 has forced us all into a new way of life. With orders from Gov. Roy Cooper, rules and regulations and trying to ensure social distancing and public safety, it has been a challenge trying to get things back to “normal” in the wake of this pandemic.
Sarah Ingram, director of Bryson Senior Living, recently shared how COVID-19 has impacted life at Bryson Senior Living.
It’s not been easy, she said, as the residential facility has had to adapt to “ever-changing directives” from the government and health officials, requiring a lot of communication among residents, families and the staff.
“This pandemic has affected each resident and employee in both different and similar ways. What we consider as ‘normal’ has ceased, but the one thing that helped us navigate these changes was flexibility,” she said.
As many are aware, visits to all congregate facilities was halted March 12 due to the pandemic.
“One of the biggest challenges has been the length of time where face-to-face visitations were not allowed. It was particularly challenging for residents with cognitive impairments, as their sense of time can be easily disrupted. We have done our very best to alleviate some of the isolation that residents and families faced,” she said.
Even with their efforts, she acknowledged it’s been a difficult year for residents and their family members under these restrictions.
As the number of statewide cases of coronavirus have gone down, restrictions have been slowly lifting. The same is true for congregate centers, where visits could resume, but are restricted to outside with social distancing and sanitation guidelines in place. It’s a nice change, but Ingram notes she’s hopeful for when family members can once again hug the residents.
“We look forward to the day when our residents can embrace their loved ones safely!” Ingram said.
It’s not been all bad. Like students and social groups of all levels, many of the residents at Bryson Senior Living have been able to stay connected remotely.
Ingram credited her satff for helping residents navigate apps and smartphones, tablets and iPads.
Ingram said residents were also allowed to see their families through window visits, however, this was confusing for some residents, especially those suffering from dementia, as they did not understand fully why things were operating like this.
“We have utilized Facetime, video chats, phone calls and window visits. Facetime calls and window visits were confusing for some residents at first, especially those with dementia, because they did not understand why their families were at the window or on a screen and unable to enter the facility. As far as challenges, we have not encountered many, as our staff are almost always helping to initiate the Facetime or video chats, and are available to the residents and their families for support.”
Joy of meeting again
Face to face interaction started in September, with protocols like a symtoms screening. The visits are limited to 30 minutes, and all participants must maintain a 6-foot distance at all times and wear a mask.
Ingram said the outdoor visiting area also gets sanitized thoroughly in between each visit. Even with the regulations, it’s a welcome change.
“All members of our community have been thrilled to be able to visit with their families safely outdoors,” Ingram said. “Our family members are part of our community here at Bryson Senior Living and we are proud to have them back.”
There have been no cases of COVID-19 reported at the facility.
“Thanks to the strict guidance we have received from regulatory agencies and our home office, we have been able to keep our facility COVID free! Our dedicated caregivers have proactively protected our community every step of the way,” Ingram said.
Resident Edris Kennedy is among the residents who said she’s glad to be able to see her family members again in person.
“I am grateful that I was residing at Bryson Senior Living during these times. My family and I are very thankful for all of the policies and procedures put in place to keep us safe,” Kennedy said. “I’m excited that we can now see our loved ones in the flesh and seem to be one step closer to normalcy.”