Pandemic’s end brings hope, appreciation
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BYMARK LAWRENCE Care Home Manager, Oakmont Assisted Living
During this long pandemic, no one has been affected more than seniors in assisted living facilities. As the manager of Oakmont Assisted Living in Scottsdale, I have seen the burden COVID-19 placed on our staff, our residents and their families, but despite the strain of 2020, we have a lot to look forward to in 2021. This spring was a very emotional time for us. The rollout of COVID-19 vaccines has given us reason to be hopeful about a more traditional 2021. As our residents and their families get vaccinated, we are once again able to enjoy regular visits and plan events again. Our community is so used to families being involved daily. Our staff got to know them personally, and they get to know us, so having their visits taken away last year was devastating for all. It is an amazing feeling to tell our residents’ families that they are welcome back into our facility. It feels like a rebirth to many of our residents and staff as a steady flow of friends and family begins to come back to our assisted living facility. The ability of our residents to see their families again is a huge boon on our residents’ physical and mental health. The more frequent visits by family members mean that our residents are eating better and have less anxiety because there is something to look forward to. Vaccines have also allowed us to bring
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back critical therapy professionals and treatments that we were unable to continue due to the high risk of COVID-19 exposure to our residents. We are now able to bring back professionals such as physical and occupational therapists who play a critical role in ensuring our residents can live comfortably. It makes a big difference for our residents to continue with rehab programs again, like they were doing before the pandemic. Our residents who need these services are already feeling happier and healthier. We are also excited to begin planning events again after a year of social distancing and the limits of outdoor activities. We can now have barbecues, live music events, and trips outside of the facility. There has been a lot of pent-up demand to go out and do activities outside of the home. We are looking forward to being able to take trips to the botanical garden and participating in normal outdoor activities again. These plans are still in the preliminary phases while we wait for the state to ease restrictions on assisted living facilities. Last year was difficult for everyone involved with assisted living facilities. Residents, staff and their families endured COVID-19 restrictions that nobody liked but that were necessary. I have hope that 2021 will lead to better and brighter things.
Section 8 Housing 7220 N. 27th Ave • Phoenix rwackerfuss@mercyhousing.org
Lemon Grove offers a quaint, cozy and beautifully maintained community, friendly neighbors, resident social activities and an exceptional staff to assist you or a loved one looking for that special place to call home. 83 One Bdrm Apts. Including four ADA accessible units. Spacious units – approx. 600 sq. ft. Excellent closet/storage space Secured building access • Small Pets permitted
To Apply CALL TODAY (602) 995-1961 TTY (800) 877-8973
JUNE 2021
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