Retirement community requesting cards from kids to combat loneliness during coronavirus
During the coronavirus outbreak, nursing home communities are working overtime to keep residents both physically and mentally healthy.
At the Kenwood by Senior Star in Cincinnati, staff members are trying to make sure no one feels alone while social distancing and being separated from their families on the outside.
Sisters Janice Amatulli and Danielle Revelson have not seen their dad James Markley face-to-face in a month.
"I miss just getting to be in there with him and chat with him and give him a hug, give him a kiss," said Amatulli. "I know he's not happy, and it's hard."
No one at the retirement community has been diagnosed with COVID-19. The facility has spent weeks cracking down and implementing new measures to protect the high-risk group of 300 residents. No outside visitors, including family and friends, are allowed.
"I think at the Kenwood they do a great job, but it's nothing like you being there," Revelson said.
Markley worked until he was 93 years old and enjoys interacting with his peers.
"Dad is one that would wander out his room and just walk around. He can't do that anymore, and I think it's driving him crazy," Amatulli said.
His 99th birthday party was last week.
The sisters, along with several other family members, including Markley's grandchildren and greatchildren, stood outside the building with big signs and balloons to wish him happy birthday.
"He will often say that he's lonely," Revelson said. "You keep thinking, well, one foot in front of the other. Take it one day at time. And that's how you'll continue to cope."
Associate Executive Director Scott Gibson said he sees daily how residents and families are struggling during this difficult time. Gibson said the facility is getting creative and going the extra mile so that residents do not feel isolated.
"When you social distance, it takes a lot more time and effort," he said.
The facility's upscale dining rooms, theaters and community spaces are not being utilized right now.
Meals now need to be delivered to each resident's room. Exercise and socialization is proving to be an ongoing challenge.
"We're doing a lot of the one-on-one," Gibson said. "We're painting with them. We're singing."
That is a greater challenge in the facility's health care and memory care units, which cares for residents suffering from Alzheimer's or dementia.
One of the ways staff members are keeping residents engaged is through social distancing activities, setting each resident in their doorway for arts and crafts, bingo or exercises.
Residents are also getting the chance to video chat with family members, garden and interact with a therapy dog.
Donations of activity books and supplies are helping aid the group's efforts. Earlier this week, Rivers Crossing Church dropped off 650 bags packed with snacks and activities, like crossword puzzles.
Children from the church made hand-written cards for the residents.
The facility has now launched a "Send a Smile" letter campaign, asking students to write a letter to help cheer residents up and combat anxiety and loneliness. The letters can be as long or short as the student wants and can share a fun story or something learned in school or create a piece of art.
The Kenwood said all letters will be disinfected before residents receive them.
Letters can be sent to:
The Kenwood by Senior Star
C/O Annette DeCamp, Kenwood Programs and Events Director
5435 Kenwood Road
Cincinnati, OH 45227.
