What caring for the whole person looks like during COVID-19.

by | May 27, 2020

PHYSICAL
Our nursing care is the same excellent standards with extra precautions for these times. Each building is coordinating exercises for residents within the gathering restrictions. The Care Center and Maple Woods are leading hallway exercises with residents sitting by the door in their room. We lead the exercises from the hallway. The puzzles, art kits, books, and other socialization items donated from the Amazon Wish List are being put to good use keeping residents active.

EMOTIONAL
Music is a great way to take care of emotional heath at all times. With not being able to bring in musical acts, we are keeping music alive in our buildings with staff sharing their musical gifts when they can and by using individual audio equipment. For several weeks, the Warm Friend held 15 minute concerts for 5 people for as long as we could gather in group activities. Gifts from the Amazon Wish List have been very helpful for this such as Boomboxes, CD’s, and DVD’s.

SPIRITUAL
Reverend Leigh Boelkins Van Kempen is leading church services digitally and we are distributing that via CD and uploading to YouTube. With the new ipads multiple residents can watch it at once on YouTube. She is also holding small Bible study groups in each hallway with residents in their rooms with the door open. The Warm Friend is making online and printed services available to residents. They have had special events such as hymn sings with group of five and a special Good Friday service led by a resident who is a retired pastor.

SOCIAL
We are connecting residents and family via phone, video, and sending pictures. We are also assisting residents in writing to their family and encouraging families to send pictures and letters. We brought on additional activities staff so we are better able to have 1-1 social opportunities available for residents. We have held what limited group programming we can with small groups while practicing social distancing with residents. Maple Woods has been hosting hallway hymn sings every Sunday.