By Yee Moua, Social Services Manager, ACC Care Center
Despite the stress that COVID-19 put on ACC, the ACC Care Center brought laughter and high spirits to their residents and their family members by holding a series of parades around Mother’s Day. The parades were held on May 8th, 10th and 11th. We had the challenging task of abiding by strict coronavirus guidelines to keep residents safe, while giving each resident’s family members the opportunity to participate.
Since the second week of March, all the nursing homes throughout the state of California, including ACC Care Center, have enforced the shelter-in-place and COVID-19 mitigations. As seen throughout the nation, there were breakouts in skilled nursing facilities and announcements that senior citizens are identified as an at-risk group. The primary purpose for the shelter-in-place is to protect the senior residents from potential exposure to COVID-19. Through this challenging time, so-called nonessential visitors, including family members, are not permitted to come into the facility.
ACC Care Center follows the strict guidelines issued by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) and CDPH (California Department of Public Health). Special circumstances are required for those family who may visit. For example, family may visit upon review from administration when the resident has actively declined in condition (non-related to COVID-19) or is receiving hospice care. As for our residents and their family members who could not visit, precious time passed without actual physical visitations. The ACC Care Center team brainstormed ideas to meet the psychosocial needs of the residents and also follow the COVID-19 guidelines.
For instance, the Beauty Shop was converted to a video conference room where families can arrange for Skype video calls with residents. Special window visits are permitted upon arrangements with management. Consistent assignment was implemented between each neighborhood lane (unit) for infection control purposes, yet establishing continued rapport of caregivers and frontline staff. The Activities department implemented special activities which are individualized to each resident, provided room visits for socializations while residents and staff wore face masks and practiced social distancing.
After nearly seven weeks without seeing their families and loved ones, the ACC Care Center staff organized Family Drive-through Parades. ACC Care Center Administrator Tamara Kario commented that “in the midst of this pandemic, the goal of hosting these parades is to bridge our residents with their families while still maintaining social distancing.” The parades were held on multiple days to accommodate the residents and their family members. Invitations went out two weeks prior to the parades, allowing family members time to RSVP. This allowed each resident to take part on a particular day and time and reunited residents with their loved ones from a distance.
The cars were decorated in colorful balloons, had signs with positive messages, streamers, and window paint. The residents, families and staff showed their enthusiasm in the parade. Some memorable moments were when family members waved cheerfully through the moon roof of a car and the therapy team loaded staff onto a pick-up truck bed to cheer on the crowd. For the residents, family members made heartwarming messages and banners in different languages. Music, water, and drinks were provided to residents. The residents also enjoyed throwing water balloons at the staff cars and the ACC company truck. Participants also used noisemakers and honked their cars, which pumped up the energy of the audience.
The turnout was astounding during all three days and everyone was in high spirits. Many residents and family members smiled, laughed, and cried tears of joy when they saw each other. Even though it was from a distance, it was emotional yet reassuring seeing their loved ones were safe and being able to talk to one another. Through experiencing these drive-through parades, it was assuring for residents and families to physically see their loved ones.
The ACC Care Center staff was very supportive of these parades. Every department collaborated to make these parades special. The staff also enjoyed the festivities of the parades along with the residents and the family members. Even during these challenging times, the ACC Care Center continues to make every effort to not only keep the residents safe but also happy.
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