Communities Safely Reopen: From Handmade Masks to the COVID-19 Vaccine
In the very early days of the COVID-19 crisis, Providence Life Services, like countless other organizations, was forced to very quickly learn to navigate a brand-new world of healthcare. In response to a global shortage of personal protective equipment, Providence put out a request on Facebook for donations of handmade cloth masks to protect our residents and staff. Donations swiftly began pouring in from constituents, and within a week we had enough to give a single mask to each staff member and resident.
Now a year later, our methods of fighting the virus have evolved from simple cloth masks to the availability of multiple vaccines. Through a partnership with Walgreens and CVS, Providence was able to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to staff and residents conveniently right on our own campuses. By the end of March, 96% of all of our community residents had received the vaccine, along with over 60% of our staff members.
These first vaccine participants served as amazing role models for our community – positively influencing vaccination decisions of coworkers, residents, friends, and family. As the vaccine rollout gained momentum, our communities began to see results of lower positivity tests in the surrounding cities and towns. Residents and staff feel both relief and hope as the vaccine has reduced the risk of infections and enabled relaxed regulations regarding visitation for residents. The result is an accelerating return to more normal operating procedures in our Providence communities.
For residents like Elaine Magnesen and her husband Vern, the success of the vaccine rollout means a return to visits from family. Elaine and Vern had not been able to see their four children and 14 grandchildren in doors since March of last year. So when they received the first shot of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at the clinic held at Park Place of Elmhurst, it meant the promise of being able to hug their kids again soon. “My children are going to be thrilled,” Elaine said. “Vern will be sending a text message to all of them that Grandma and Grandpa got their first shot.”
This lifting of restrictions on visitors arrived just in time for Royal Atrium Inn resident Ella Ter Haar, who turned 101 in March. Ella got her much-deserved birthday wish:
to celebrate in-person with her daughter Elaine and son Sherwin. Their long-awaited visit came for the first time in a year. A hug is the best birthday gift one can receive in these post-pandemic days.
Pauline Meeuwsen, a resident at Royal Atrium Inn, and her sister Goldie Lubben, a resident at the adjacent Royal Park Place, were delighted to be able to be with each other for the first time since last March. 87-year-old Goldie had lived at Royal Park Place for almost two years, and 93-year-old Pauline moved into Royal Atrium Inn just prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. They never imagined that living so close to one another could still mean being apart for so long. Now they look forward to more sister visits.
The vaccine rollout has been emotionally bittersweet for many as well. Suzanne Robinson, Admissions Director, personally felt the devastating effects of the pandemic when her own grandmother died of COVID-19. So it meant the world to her when she received her first dose of the vaccine. “It’s phenomenal. I can cry right now. Happy tears,” said Suzanne. “This is such a monumental moment. To be able to protect ourselves and our residents, and hopefully the world—it’s fantastic.”
For many residents, it was the normal routine that they missed the most. Many community services have safely resumed, such as the reopening of dining rooms, beauty shops, and fitness centers. The things we once took for granted now feel so very special. In Northwest Indiana, residents were thrilled to return to one of their weekly shopping trips. Park Place of St. John took their first bus ride back to the popular grocery store, Strack & Van Til. The residents enjoyed riding the Park Place bus, which had not been active for almost a year. To their surprise, Stracks put out a sign welcoming them back. It was a special return to a pleasant routine.
Keeping our communities safe continues to be our top priority. Where activities and care services have resumed, they are conducted socially distanced and with rigorous cleaning and disinfecting between sessions. We are all still wearing our masks. But, if you look closely, behind the mask you can see the smile in the eyes of each hopeful staff member and resident.