Seniors

The senior life in a post-Covid world

By Julia Swerdin

With the still-serious threat of the coronavirus, many local senior centers have tightened restrictions on visitation and communication with those outside of the facility. Lynbrook Restorative Therapy and Nursing, at 243 Atlantic Ave., works with patients recently hospital ized with Covid-19 to assist in improving strength and fine motor skills. Patients may be admitted directly from home or the hospital, once released from the intensive care unit, and started on a ven tilator dependent course of treatment.

Lynbrook Restorative offers all aspects of respi ratory and neurological care for post-Covid patients with on-site pulmonologist, respiratory and neuro logical therapists. Some of the available treatments include, but are not limited to, physical therapy, endurance training and high flow oxygen therapy. The center has instituted a policy of no visitors at any time until further notice durign the pandemic. However, family involvement within the rehabilita tion process is encouraged via virtual platforms such as Zoom and Google Duo. Staff is available to arrange remote communication between residents and loved ones. The recreation department can be contacted at (516) 634-1400 to arrange this.

“We understand that this will be difficult,” stated the LRTN website. “However, the [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as the New York City and New York State Health Departments advised restricting visitors is the best way to prevent the spread of this virus and protect our elderly population. We truly apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. The safety and well-being of our residents is always our number one priority.”

The Department of Health recently released a memo regarding communication with family members of those who reside in a nursing home: all nursing homes “shall notify family members or next of kin for all residents if any resident tests positive for Covid-19, or if any resident suffers a Covid-19 related death, within 24 hours of such positive test result or death.”

Lynbrook Restorative Administrator Yiddy Eisen said in a letter to residents’ families that the goal is to communicate effectively within the boundaries of the requirements, while maintaining the residents’ right to privacy. Residents’ family members are al lowed to choose which information they receive as long as it satisfies the DOH regulations.

Seniors in East Rockaway meet at the Charles H. Formont Senior Center, at 6 James St., on Mondays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The center has an extensive variety of innovative programs for senior members of the community. The annual membership fee is $25. For more information, call (516) 887-6322.