COCHRANE— COVID-19 has inspired families and friends to find new ways to stay connected with seniors.
Jennifer Vance Bethany Cochrane administrator said the facility has begun hosting video-conferencing chats for families and window visits in-person are also available.
“Our residents are just getting so much love right now from the outside— There is a whole lot of love and support from the community, their family and friends,” Vance said. “It’s more so than ever.”
She added that as provincial public health measures are lifted have been able to see each other in outdoor spaces.
Bethany Centre staff have been committed to keeping residents in touch and connected with families during the pandemic Vance said. She added it has been incredible to see the countless innovative and creative ways people in the community have embraced new ways to socialize with seniors.
It is important to foster social connections Vance said because they want residents to feel as normal and loved as they possibly can during COVID-19.
The facility has also had families emailing letters and photos that residents can laminate and keep in their rooms.
A new trend, Vance said has been families pre-recording messages of love and well-wishes for residents that can be played on iPads.
All are grateful for the support from the community, Vance added, explaining that they have had many cards dropped off for residents.
Seniors are staying isolated and safe in the building, she said, but they appreciate the outpouring of support and love they have received from the community.
When they can connect using the window visits, Facetime chats or messaging you can see residents' faces light up with visible happiness.
“There’s great value in that connection,” Vance said.
Bethany Cochrane has had so many neat experiences since the pandemic she said.
An especially favourite visit was from the ROARR foundation that celebrates equine Assisted Learning programs for youth and seniors.
Seniors would visit the ranch in Springbank every month before the pandemic arrived.
Since the seniors cannot go to them ROARR has brought the horses and ponies to them for window visits, Vance said with a laugh.
“They’ve been bringing their miniature horses in and they go around the outside of our building and those little ponies noses are pushed right against the window and the residents are reaching out and touching them,” Vance said. “When you see their faces light up when they see those little horses that they have been visiting all year-round and they come back they are just reaching out to touch them and feel that love.”
Community groups that used to be able to come in and do programs with them have found an innovative way to maintain socialization with seniors through events like drive-by car parades so residents can still see them and feel connected.
Vance said they had the Cochrane Pipe band come into outdoor gazebo spaces and play bagpipes and drums for residents on a Friday afternoon. A travelling pub was set up so residents could listen to music outside while enjoying a glass of beer or wine.
“We have had tremendous support from families and the community just doing everything and anything that is possible,” Vance said.
