These are strange times as COVID-19 has made social distancing and self-isolation the norm.
Self-isolation can be a lonely and confusing time especially for seniors who are already at higher risk of contracting the virus. Under direction from Public Health officials Hillside Pines Special Care Home closed its doors to visitors on March 15 and residents and staff have had to find new ways to communicate with the outside world.
Marisa Eisner, Administrator at Hillside Pines, says everyone is learning new ways to do things in the midst of the pandemic which can be a challenge but it’s business as usual for residents in the home.
Evelyn, a resident of Hillside Pines, chats with her family using video chat. The facility has been on lock down since March 15 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo: Submitted
“The challenge is to make sure they still feel connected to family members and staff have been doing that by setting up video chat calls for them through Facetime and Skype.
Social media is not unknown to seniors, many already have Facebook pages and E-mail and staff is encouraging them to stay connected to family and friends.
The mood among residents is good she says, understandably they are missing their families but they understand that this is a necessary measure to flatten the curve of COVID-19.
“We really rely on our families and visitors to prevent loneliness, to prevent helplessness,to prevent boredom. We are all doing the very best we can under the circumstances and so far so good, ” she said.
Check out the Hillside Pines Facebook page to see pictures of what residents have been up to.
