Aberdeen Heights
JULY 2020
The need for COVID-19 precautions continues across America. A socially distanced garden party was part of the Mother’s Day festivities at The Glen at Aberdeen Heights.
Families find creative, thoughtful ways to share love on Mother’s Day Mother’s Day is always a special occasion at Aberdeen Heights. This year was no different, despite the additional challenges created by the coronavirus pandemic. The need for social distancing didn’t allow for the hugs and kisses that normally greet us on this special day, but our residents and their families still found inventive ways to show their affection for one another. Before Mother’s Day, our staff went from room to room to gather photos of residents. Some dressed up in their Sunday best, while others chose to don a vibrant hat for the occasion. A few even held a sign with a message for their loved ones. The photos were then sent to family members who were unable to visit due to the coronavirus. We also asked families to take a photograph of MOTHERS - continued on page 2
A physician answers 5 questions about asymptomatic COVID-19 By Dr. William Petri for Next Avenue
How common is it for people to contract and fight off viruses without knowing it? Dr. William Petri: In general, having an infection without any symptoms is common. Perhaps the most infamous example was Typhoid Mary, who spread typhoid fever to other people without COVID - continued on page 3
Aberdeen Heights | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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MOTHERS - continued from page 1
their own to send to us. Staff crafted vases laminated with the photos of residents’ family members and filled them with beautiful faux roses. In addition to the exchange of gifts and photos, we used the nice spring weather to hold a garden party out on the patio and outdoor garden areas. Hannah, one of our activity aides, led a sing-a-long in the garden. Homemade chocolate shakes were served. We also made good use of FaceTime and other video messaging applications to connect residents with family. Still, some travelled to Aberdeen Heights to show their love through the separation of a window.
Barbara Jordan holds up a sign that shares her feelings about Mother’s Day.
Joyce Duke sends a Mother’s Day message to her family.
Left: Joan Murphy shares a Mother’s Day message with her family.
Families gathered outside and called their mothers on the phone. Through the windows of Aberdeen Heights, mothers were seen waving and smiling. “Some families really went all out,” said David Evans, life enrichment director. “They brought oversized Mother’s Day cards and cute hats — anything to give their loved ones a little boost.” ◆
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ABERDEEN HEIGHTS A PMMA COMMUNITY
314-909-6010 ◆ Fax: 913-599-3810 505 Couch Ave. Kirkwood, MO 63122-5536 AberdeenSeniorLiving.com
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | July 2020
Community Matters
is published monthly for residents and friends of Aberdeen Heights by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America, Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
To submit or suggest articles: llandy@PMMA.org Rick Cumberland, executive director Lily Landy, health care administrator David Evans, life enrichment director
OUR MISSION: To provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.
COVID - continued from page 1
having any symptoms herself in the early 1900s. My colleagues and I have found that many infections are fought off by the body without the person even knowing it. For example, when we carefully followed children for infection by the parasite Cryptosporidia, one of the major causes of diarrhea, almost half of those with infections showed no symptoms at all. In the case of the flu, estimates are that anywhere from 5% to 25% of infections occur with no symptoms. For the most part, symptoms are actually a side effect of fighting off an infection. It takes a little time for the immune system to rally that defense, so some cases are more aptly considered presymptomatic rather than asymptomatic. How can someone spread the coronavirus if they aren’t coughing and sneezing? Dr. William Petri: Everyone is on guard against the droplets that spray out from a coronavirus patient’s cough or sneeze. They’re a big reason public health officials have suggested everyone should wear masks. But the virus also spreads through
normal exhalations that can carry tiny droplets containing the virus. A regular breath may spread the virus several feet or more. Spread could also come from fomites — surfaces, such as a doorknob or a grocery cart handle, that are contaminated with the coronavirus by an infected person’s touch. What’s known about how contagious an asymptomatic person might be? Dr. William Petri: No matter what, if you’ve been exposed to someone with COVID-19, you should selfquarantine for the entire 14-day incubation period. Even if you feel fine, you’re still at risk of spreading the coronavirus to others. Most recently, it has been shown that high levels of the virus are present in respiratory secretions during the “presymptomatic” period that can last days to more than a week prior to the fever and cough characteristic of COVID-19. This ability of the virus to be transmitted by people without symptoms is a major reason for the pandemic. After an asymptomatic infection, would someone still have antibodies against sars-cov-2 in their blood?
Dr. William Petri: Most people are developing antibodies after recovery from COVID-19, likely even those without symptoms. It is a reasonable assumption, from what scientists know about other coronaviruses, that those antibodies will offer some measure of protection from reinfection. But nothing is known for sure yet. Recent serosurveys in New York City that check people’s blood for antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 [the strain of coronavirus that causes COVID-19] indicate that as many as one in five residents may have been previously infected with COVID-19. Their immune systems had fought off the coronavirus, whether they’d known they were infected or not — and many apparently didn’t. How widespread is asymptomatic covid-19 infection? Dr. William Petri: No one knows for sure, and for the moment, lots of the evidence is anecdotal. For a small example, consider the nursing home in Washington state where many residents became infected. Twenty-three tested positive. Ten of them were already sick. Ten more eventually developed symptoms. But three people who tested positive never came down with the illness. ◆
COVID-19 updates continue
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, you can count on regular communication from your PMMA community and PMMA leadership. PMMA’s President and CEO Bruce Shogren’s latest letter to residents and families are posted to your community website, AberdeenSeniorLiving.com/covid-19. Get the latest information about visitation and restrictions on deliveries and learn more about PMMA’s infection control efforts to contain COVID-19 across the PMMA system. ◆
Aberdeen Heights | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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ABERDEEN HEIGHTS A PMMA COMMUNITY
505 Couch Ave. Kirkwood, MO 63122 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Our Mission: to provide quality senior services guided by Christian values Like us on Facebook to stay updated on news and events.
Warmer weather smiles on our residents With the weather turning from the bitterness of winter to the new warmth of spring, residents of Aberdeen Heights have been able to enjoy fresh air and sunshine. We’ve been hosting socially distanced happy hours in the garden, complete with the occasional glass of wine. Everyone is thankful for the ability to get out of our rooms and into the open for a while—and with this mild weather, the plants are lush and in full bloom for our enjoyment. ◆
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Betty Schmitt enjoys a socially distanced happy hour.
COMMUNITY MATTERS | July 2020
Resident Ellen Umlauf, right, and family enjoy a window visit.