Care Centers, assisted living facilities endure a year without visitors

The one-year anniversary of declaration of a pandemic is a good time for us to take stock of where we are.  This week we examine how COVID -19 has affected medical care. This story is part of a series looking back and forward after a year of COVID.

by Marianne Gasaway

One year ago, we started what we just knew would last only a couple of weeks, maybe a month. A year later, we’re still following COVID-19 safety protocols to one degree or another.

And we will likely continue to do just that.

“I think tele-medicine is here to stay.  And several of the practices we put in place, from how we schedule appointments to screenings, will continue for safety and convenience of the patient,” said Dr. John Brady, owner/founder of WayPoint Medical in Clear Lake.   

Precautionary measures, such as social distancing and wearing masks, have become generally accepted and have resulted in improving COVID-19 numbers in North Iowa.  So much so, that most nursing homes and assisted living facilities in the area are now allowing visitors.

“Opening Oakwood is what we have waited for since we locked our doors a year ago on March 12,” said Sheri Weaver-Isvik, care center administrator.  “Last week we put into place a number of new opportunities that follow CDC and IDPH guidelines,  

as well as direction from our owner, ABCM Corporation.  These guidelines give our residents and their families opportunities to actually be physically together again, and everyone at Oakwood— both residents and our team, are extremely excited about this progress!”

Terri Casselman, administrator at Apple Valley Assisted Living in Clear Lake, echoed those sentiments.

“It’s been incredibly challenging,” said Casselman.  “On March 1, after a year of no visitors— just window visits, we allowed families back in.   We now have scheduled, 

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indoor visits and residents who need to go out to appointments no longer have to be quarantined when they return.”

In the early days of COVID-19 lockdowns, residents stepping outside of Apple Valley had to quarantine 14 days; three months ago the time period was reduced to 10 days, then seven.  

At Oakwood Care Center, families are now able to visit in three designated areas.  Their visits can be longer, as staff time and the visitation schedule allows.  Children and pets are welcome as long as they remain with parents, and children must wear masks.  Visitors must still be screened, use hand sanitizer and wear masks.

“We must keep in mind that we are not out of the woods yet with COVID, but for our residents who have received both vaccinations and know the importance of hand sanitizing and wearing masks, this progress is so exciting and very well deserved,” said Weaver-Isvik.

As difficult as the time was keeping Apple Valley closed to visitors, Casselman said she will never forget how supportive the community and her staff was to residents.

“There were so many great signs made that encouraged and made us smile.  And we would do our best inside the building to keep spirits lifted.  I would play guitar and staff would walk up and down the halls with me singing,” she said.  “And technology was a great thing.  A lot of people had iPads and were able to keep up to date with their loved ones by FaceTiming.  Staff also helped keep many connected.”

Connecting with each other has also improved in recent weeks, as Apple Valley residents transitioned from being required to eat meals in their rooms to socially distanced tables in common areas.

“Probably the thing that will stay with me until well after this chapter in history is over is the amazing way our staff responded.  They all gave up any part-time jobs they had because they didn’t want to get exposed (to COVID-19) and bring it in here.  To think that they literally self-sacrificed for the good of those who live here just leaves me with no words,” said Casselman. 

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