Retirement homes have been very vulnerable to COVID-19, especially the senior residents. Some outbreaks at some of these places have been declared in the past and working in this field can be a very challenging task.
Mary Raithby is the Chief Executive Officer at APANS health services and has been in the industry for over 20 years. Now during the pandemic she has been fundamental in keeping seniors that are at risk, safe and says that she is “absolutely thrilled” to serve the residences.
“I believe there is tremendous value in our senior residents and they deserve not to be forgotten, and I think that I am called to be their voice.” said Raithby
Raithby adds that it has not been easy to keep the elderly residents away from their loved ones, and that the switch to technology has been dramatic. “For our residents technology has a whole new meaning, so we have been working since March to facilitate the use of this technology, and have been working hard to ensure that they stay connected with their families.”
A department has also been working with the seniors to ensure that the elderly keep active and healthy. “The department has focused on ensuring that there is one on one, small groups connecting with churches and families, and while that is virtually not the same as in person, it has been instrumental in trying to mediate anxiety and depression in our facilities.”
Another challenge for Raithby has been dealing with a shortage of staff members in the residences. The staffing mix and the funding has not been able to keep up, so as new seniors comes into the residence, they end up with no extra staff members.
Despite the challenges and complications with the virus, Raithby says that she is impressed by how quickly the staff and the residents were able to adapt to new standards.
“Watching how quickly our staff moved from anxiety and fear to we got this and we can do this for our residents has been great and even better to see residents who are in their 80s or early hundreds, adjust so easily to something we don’t seem to be able to do out in the community.”
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