Working in a Senior Living Center during a Pandemic

from Elderwood Facebook Page

During the novel coronavirus, many lives have been affected in a variety of ways. People have lost their jobs, have had to work from home and for some, there is an added pressure to keep spirits high.

Inside senior living centers, there has been a significant change in the way of life. Residents have been restricted to their rooms with common areas closed to the residential community. Group outings have been canceled, meals are being delivered to rooms, and visitors are no longer allowed. 

With residents' safety as the main priority, the added restrictions create an isolating environment for those living there. Inversely, there is pressure for the staff to maintain a positive attitude despite personal circumstances.

I interviewed my Aunt, Josephine Rosa, about their experiences working in a senior living center during a pandemic.

Rosa is the Activities Director at Elderwood Senior Living, a nursing home in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. She has worked at this facility for 13 years. Her primary role is to organize outings and activities for the residential community but since the pandemic, the pressure to keep residents occupied has only increased.

from Elderwood Facebook Page

An Elderwood resident video chatting with a friend online. The call was set up by Josephine Rosa, the Activities Director.

She works 8-hour shifts Monday through Friday and puts on a smile to make residents feel comfortable and motivated during such an isolating time. As Activities Director she has had to get creative and split her time between residents since they all are encouraged to stay in their rooms.

Before the pandemic resident activities included going to the park, going shopping, eating at restaurants, and even overnight trips like a previous one to Atlantic City. Now, Rosa has organized activities like hallway Bingo and helps to facilitate video calls with residents' families. Despite efforts to create socially-distant group activities, many of their interactions are individualized.

The role of an Activities Manager is not only to put together events for the residential community but also to create a sense of community with the people who live there. There can be upwards of 45 people in the facility at a time.

Rosa says that she has since changed her approach with the residents since the pandemic. Every day her goal is to stop by everyone's room to check-in and see how they're doing. She'll even go the extra mile to see if they need anything from the store and get it for them.

from Elderwood Facebook Page

Josephine Rosa wearing a surgical mask and holding a painting during a socially distant activity.

"Now we're doing hair and nails - taking walks one at a time and everyone has to wear a mask. Many of the residents are uncomfortable wearing a mask in their rooms because they have to wear it while I'm in there," Rosa said.

She adds that working with the residents, following the restrictions, has been an added strain to everyone's mood. She's noticed some residents have been lethargic or showing signs of depression while following the social distancing guidelines.

But the work of entertaining and interacting with residents hasn't fallen all on Rosa. She says that all the staff has come together to create a tightknit bond with the residents; from the medical technicians to housekeeping and even administrators of the facility make sure to interact with residents.

"It's like the people who are social distancing at home, they're learning more about the people they live with. And that's the same thing that's happening with the residents. We now have this one-on-one connection," said Rosa.

There are currently a few COVID-19 cases in this facility but the staff has been provided with all the Personal Protective Equipment needed to stay safe when interacting with residents.