Lockdowns at long-term care facilities take toll – williamsonherald.com

As assisted living and memory care units enter their sixth month of lockdowns because of the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a push to allow outside caregivers to visit their loved ones.

Overall, advocates and long-term care leaders say that being separated from loved ones is causing a decline in the health and well-being of the residents. In some states, this is leading to legislation to make provisions to help these families.

There are some residents that are really experiencing severe distress and decline, said Lori Smetanka, executive director of the National Consumer Voice for Long-Term Care, a nonprofit advocacy group.

Goodworks Unlimited is a privately owned company that has 26 communities in Middle Tennessee and Kentucky. A representative of the company has reported that caregivers, staff and families have grown exhausted trying to utilize technology and offer creative ways to connect during these unprecedented times.

The problem that facilities face is there is no cookie-cutter answer. Each facility is maneuvering through uncharted waters.

The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living, trade groups for long-term care providers, say federal data shows nursing home COVID-19 cases rose sharply in July after falling through most of June, with increases concentrated in the Sun Belt.

Elizabeth Mastic, executive director of Barton House, a Goodworks Unlimited community located in Nashville, said her staff is trying to keep residents routines as normal as possible. Mastic has been with Barton House for 13 years. The facility was the first memory care unit in the Bellevue community 20 years ago.

There is some grace for our residents, as patients are not as distressed about the virus or numbers because they dont know whats going on, she said. The news (can be) like a scary movie for our residents the extra stress, sense of sadness, frustration. Spouses are lonely, and we see our staff trying to care for their patients and having to provide extra care for the family members.

Mastic said that she believes the hardest part is for the families that cannot see their loved ones.

We use FaceTime, send a lot of photographs and take a lot of photographs, she said. We are using technology a lot more than we used to so families can connect.

Mastic said the staff does everything possible to make residents feel secure and cared for in their environment, such as organizing dances and making brownies.

For seniors who wear glasses, hearing aids and sometimes read lips to help with communication, masks have posed a challenge. Some facilities are utilizing clear masks for patients or wearing T-shirts with names on them.

Interaction is essential

Shawnna Simpson knows how painful it is to have a loved one in long-term care. Her mother, Shelda Webster, was admitted to Morning Pointe last fall as her Alzheimers progressed to the point that she needed memory care.

Early into the pandemic, Webster fell and broke her hip. After three weeks of not seeing anyone but her medical team, she was moved to NHC Cool Springs, as she now needs full-time nursing care.

Mom is a loving people person, Simpson said. Having staff in masks and having no outside interaction took a tool. She looks so sad.

While Simpson said her mom doesnt know her, she does respond to touch and sound.

She knows how we make her feel, Simpson said. Hearing our laughter helps her lighten up. She does respond to human touch.

We are thankful for the care mom is receiving, and the staff has worked with us to interact through FaceTime and window visits. Mom will be 79 next week, and we are planning an ice cream party this weekend with the whole family.

Like Mastic, Simpson has seen the impact separation is having on spouses.

My parents have been married for 60 years, and for my dad, this is the hardest thing hes ever had to experience in his life, Simpson said.

Before the pandemic, Encil Webster, 80, visited and fed his wife every day. Simpson has witnessed the pain her dad is experiencing being away from his wife.

My heart goes out to the caregivers, she said. With families not able to visit, it puts additional stress on the caregivers. Its been a loss for my dad not seeing mom and not interacting with the staff.

With the pandemic lingering, new concerns about how to handle holidays and flu season are arising. There are no easy answers, and the priority at facilities such as NHC and GoodWorks is keeping their residents safe.

To learn more about GoodWorks Unlimited and their properties, visit https://goodworksunlimited.com.

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Lockdowns at long-term care facilities take toll - williamsonherald.com