6A | MAY 21, 2020 Seniors from A1 allowed to visit, only re- cently has the facility begun accepting new residents from private residences and hospitals — and even in those cases only under certain circumstances. “What we’re requiring is a 10-day temperature check that needs to be sent to us virtually so we can see what the temperatures are over a whole 10-day process,” said Greco. “There is a screen- ing criteria, so once those things are followed … we can move forward and get an assessment done from our nurse.” Coupled with strict guidelines, those living at home who need assisted or memory care can receive help from the facility. How- ever, Greco laments that the process has become much more impersonal as the center has switched to virtual tours and video as- sessments. “It really takes that feel of that communal part away from touring communities, which we love doing,” she said. “So we have to really rely on the virtual part of it, which is hard. … It’s be- come very at arms-length going forward in the way we’re doing business and allowing [new] residents to enter.” While the heavy restric- tions are keep the com- munity physically safe, psychological health is also an ingredient that must be taken under consideration. “Right now, our greatest concern is our residents and making sure they have enough to thrive with ac- tivities and Zoom conver- sations with families,” said Greco. Keeping residents’ spirits up is task well on the fore- front of the “new normal” | COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL inside senior living facili- ties and in-person interac- tions have understandably been a popular means to that end in the form of window visits. “It really brightens their day, for sure,” said Greco. Window visits allow families to communi- cate with facility residents through the first-floor apartment windows, some using whiteboards to write messages. The visitation technique has become something of a trend nationwide and has also become popular at Magnolia Gardens Senior Living. “We have quite a few that do window visits,” said Tara Blount, executive director at Magnolia Gardens. “But even when they have their window open to chat, we’re still asking that they are wearing masks.” Blount acknowledged these visits as an essential element of the residents’ thriving amid the lock- down. “Every day is different for us right now and we’re just trying to minimize the impact that it has on our residents — trying to keep them engaged and spend time with them as much as we can,” she said. “So- cial isolation for seniors is critical. It can be a leading cause of depression. It’s failure to thrive for them.” Magnolia Gardens, too, shut its doors as the coro- navirus spread became im- minent. “It kind of came in baby steps and before we knew it, it was a full closure,” said Blount. Currently, just essential health care personnel are let in and family members are allowed in only if a resi- dent is actively dying. All employees must take a temperature check at the entrance and also go through a Centers for Disease Control-based screening, meaning they are questioned about trav- el, contacts and if they’ve had any symptoms. Resi- dents, too, have a once-a- day minimum temperature check and screening. Inside the facility, social activities such as commu- nal dining have ended and residents have had to adjust to eating meals alone. “The overall isolation has been the biggest im- pact,” said Blount about Magnolia Gardens’ resi- dents. “Thursday lunch with their kids was one of the biggest events of the week for them; just as much as being able to go to the salon or take their ani- mal to the vet.” On top of that, staff have been hustling about town to run errands for the res- idents. A basic run to the pharmacy, for example, is no longer a part of a resi- dent’s routine. “We’ve asked our resi- dents to please let us han- dle those for them right now, because it’s safer for us to go out into the com- munity than it is for them,” Blount said. Though both facilities report staff that have ad- justed well to the new con- ditions, there is still a pal- pable toll on workers who have added concerns out- side the job. With school out of ses- sion and babysitters and daycare hard to come by, single parents in particular have had it rough. “As well as knowing every day they’re coming to work in a high-risk environment and then potentially bring- ing it home to their family because they have to pay the bills,” Blount added. One employee even re- signed over concern the coronavirus was going to hit senior living, she said. Among residents, Blount said there had been some mixed feelings at first to the new adjustments to daily living and, moreover, the lack of agency afford- ed to residents has meant a kind of isolation within isolation for some. The novel situation has necessitated creative re- sponses. Middlefield Oaks, for in- stance, recently conducted a “Grant-A-Wish Senior Day” in which residents sent wishes for an outside gift to the community. “The outpouring was — I’ve never seen anything like it,” Greco said. “The community in Cottage Grove … they fulfilled ev- ery single one of our resi- dents’ wishes. Puppy visits, cakes, cookies, bottles of gin, olive oil, Greek food, you name it. And the gifts just keep pouring in and it’s fantastic to see.” Though so many daily interactions now involve the impersonal barriers of masks, gloves and gowns, Greco said creative activ- ities such as these have helped tremendously with everyone’s adaptation. “With such a negative situation that we find our- selves in, it’s made us so much closer,” she said. “The stories … are more of gratitude than anything in the negative because we’re trying to give our residents the same way of living, if you will.” While the senior living centers have found ways to manage the public health crisis for now, the future re- mains uncertain as the fa- cilities will be following the guidance of public health authorities in regards to any reopening strategies. “But as far as our full building being able to open, and have public ac- cess again, I’m pretty con- fident that the senior living homes — we’re going to be the very last to be able to open again,” said Blount. Looking to the future, Greco said she is cautiously optimistic about again em- bracing the social aspects of her job. “I think we as a commu- nity and as a society have to be hopeful,” she said. “But it’s also making sure that just because some things have laxed, we are not lax- ing.” GIT ER DONE CLEANING: Maintenance Cleaning Deluxe Cleanings Move in, Move out Cleans Offi ce Cleanings Weekly, Bi-Weekly or Monthly Call or email today for details. 541-735-1231 giterdonecleaning@outlook.com Opal Center would like to thank our friends. This is just an intermission. The curtain will rise again soon. —————:————— OPAL CENTER FOR ARTS & EDUCATION 513 E. Main St. Cottage Grove For more info, call 541-623-0513 MACHINE SHOP SERVICES Huddle/Drummond Automotive Is now off ering a full line of automotive machine shop services. From resurfacing a head, to fl ywheels, rebuilding that worn out engine or even a specialized racing application, Huddle Automotive can help you. With over 40 years of experience, we will get the job done right the fi rst time. Call or drop by and say “Hi”. City from A1 basketball courts and any day-use areas prone to at- tracting crowds are closed. Th e skate park will remain closed due to a lack of abili- ty to maintain physical dis- tancing at that park. Groups or parties in the parks are to be limited to groups of 10 or fewer that arrived together. Th e city is not taking any reservations for park use through at least the end of September. Parks are open, but all us- ers must follow physical dis- tancing requirements. Th e restrooms in the parks will be open, but will not be cleaned twice dai- ly. Visitors to parks should bring their own hand sani- tizer with them to the parks. Th e city reminds commu- nity members to continue to following public health guidelines: • Stay home if you are sick. • If you become symp- tomatic (cough, fever, short- ness of breath) while in public, please return home and self-isolate immediate- ly. Contact your health care provider if you need medical attention. • Stay home if you are at-risk for severe complica- tions: Individuals over the age of 60 or who have un- derlying medical conditions should stay home, even if well, to avoid exposure to COVID-19. • Practice good hand hy- giene: Frequently wash your hands for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer (60-95 percent alcohol content). • Cover coughs/sneezes with elbow or tissue: If you use a tissue, immediately discard tissue in garbage and your wash hands. Located at 80408 Delight Valley School Rd. 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