reach for the moon

building,” Wiebenga said. Everyone helping would wear gowns, gloves and masks, and were screened for symptoms.

They have also creatively used a building’s layout to help families avoid contact with each other. One family would use the front door, while another family would use the back door.

“And then once that resident is in,” Wiebenga said, “then we also went through a quarantine process.”

The resident would eat meals in their rooms, be provided with crafts from the activity director, and be allowed to sometimes take short walks around the campus, provided they wore a mask.

These strategies will be repeated when Eagle Ridge opens.

Previously, CCHS residents participated in onsite activities like bingo, stretching and exercises, singing and music and a host of events. As a faithbased organization, three worship services are offered each week, as well as frequent visits from a chaplain who is available for spiritual counseling and conversation.

“We try and meet the resident’s safety needs and spiritual needs as well,” McGeehan said.

Now, activities are cancelled, doors are closed and visits are postponed. As the days slog on, staff and residents are working hard to keep each other’s spirits up.

Necessity is the mother of invention, as the saying goes, and the interpersonal needs of at-risk people during pandemic quarantines have mothered incredible creativity. Family members frequently make appearances at their loved one’s window to chat, and hand written letters and drawings are sent to cheer them up. Families go to heartwarming lengths to make sure their loved ones don’t feel alone.

Throughout Senior Housing Companies locations, ingenuity is thriving, with activities like “hydration carts.” With dessert carts decorated like ice cream trucks, staff members play music on cell phones and deliver ice cream and water bottles to every room.

Other events like “hallway bingo” and TV-broadcast exercise programs are big hits at the homes. Wiebenga wants to make sure the residents don’t spend all their time watching the news and worrying.

“We want to make sure that our residents feel safe,” she said.

Safety appears to be an increasingly diffi cult achievement in today’s world. “We are always nervous about our residents,” McGeehan said. On May 22, one of the CCHS staff tested positive for COVID-19. Immediately they were quarantined, along with three other staff members who had direct contact with them. Thankfully, there was no direct contact with the residents.

Facility-wide testing had already been anticipated, and everyone at CCHS has tested negative for the virus. By following strict protocols and precautions, the whole team was able to protect the residents.

As far as Wiebenga has seen, the staff have kept upmost care to be aware of not just health concerns, but also companionship concerns.

“They feel the residents are like grandparents or parents, aunts, uncles — and they treat them like that,” she said. “They’re family.”

The restrictions on visitors have been wearing on the residents. “They’re pretty tough,” McGeehan said. “But they’re feeling the effects of loneliness.”

SEE VIRUS, PAGE 3

Bulk herbs & spices ✽ Bath & Body ✽ CDB oil Herbal remedies & teas ✽ Local artisans

21060 Olinda Trail, Scandia, MN • 651-470-5644

Searching for the Best Mortgage? Let Us Lend a Hand.

• Competitive Rates • On-Time Closing • Free Preapproval • Personalized Service • Apply Online

Heidi Gemuenden, AAMS ® Financial Advisor 41 Judd Street Marine On St. Croix, MN

651-433-1776

Auto • Home • Business • Life • Health • Medicare

Insurance For All Your Needs

Greg Isaacson

Scandia NMLS# 441571

Adam Wojtowicz

Chisago Lakes NMLS# 441473

Doug Voss

Forest Lake NMLS# 440607

Brooke Lacy Orpin

Chisago Lakes NMLS# 441539