April, 2021...a full year away from the moments when life was one way; and then it wasn’t. A year from the moments when we met friends for dinner; celebrated holidays; attended weddings and hugged one another hello; and then we didn’t. A year from when families would come and go through our doors and through our lives visiting those moms and dads and grandparents they had entrusted to our care; and then they didn’t.

 

This is certainly not the first Message that has shared the same sentiment and I’m afraid it may not be the last. Each time I write these words, I think that soon we will all have ‘swam across that river’ and reached the other side. But we’re all still swimming. How very much we want this to be over and life to resume to that place, that finish line that we know is waiting somewhere out there.

 

In March, we were provided guidelines to Reopening and relaxing restrictions for visitation. We were excited; to think that we would finally be able to welcome our families back to their loved ones. The vaccines have been administered; the testing is taking place; and the screening continues. We were well on our way... until one of our staff members tested positive. This staff member was not one of the ‘unvaccinated’. This is our reality. Vaccines are absolutely the key to unlock the doors that have been closed; but we must remember that just as you might catch the flu despite getting the flu shot; the vaccines are not 100%. You’ve all seen the news reports of the variants that continue to plague the nation that are more contagious. We are also not allowed to make the vaccine ‘mandatory’; nor, are we allowed to inquire as to the vaccination status of our visitors. I’m sure you may appreciate the quandary we find ourselves after a year of extreme caution.

 

This one positive case is considered an ‘Outbreak’ and forced us to lockdown for a 14-day period and continue rounds of testing among our residents and staff. This also comes with the County Positivity Rate rising to 11%. (It had decreased to 6.5% last month). We are proud of the fact that we have had no resident cases and subsequently, no deaths.

 

Families are frustrated; we are frustrated. Some have questioned our responses and our interpretation of the regulatory guidelines. I can only say, again, that I’m held responsible whatever outcome occurs; good or bad. If these guidelines are not followed, I’ll be the person answering. And yes, I take this responsibility very personally.

 

So, in conclusion...we all must continue to pray for patience as we continue to navigate to the other side of this river. We’re all tired, but we can’t allow our eagerness to get there overshadow the strokes we must make to do it safely.

 

Please be safe; Please get the vaccine as soon as it’s available to you; and please, stay positive and patient. We will get through this...

 

Take care,

Chief Executive Officer

www.PickeringManor.org 

This is 60-minute session is a discussion led by a Dementia Friends Champion where you will learn what dementia is, five key messages about dementia and identify communication tips to use in the community. Download the flyer for registration link and more information here.

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