OHCA The Oregon Caregiver Fall Winter 2020

The Oregon Caregiver FALL/WINTER 2020 www.ohca.com 8 FEATURE » COPING WITH COVID-19, CONT. been a unique opportunity to see how awesome our people are at getting creative. It’s really fun to see all of the different communities collaborating across the entire country.” Protecting the health of vulnerable elders has always been a priority for this sector, especially during the pandemic. For many families, missing visits with loved ones has been challenging. This fall, the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) shared indoor visitation guidance for nursing, assisted living, and residential care facilities that qualify to allow limited indoor visitation for residents. Buildings must not have any suspected or current COVID-19 cases and must be in a county with low or medium rates of COVID-19 exposure. To qualify, providers must log all visitors, limit residents to five at a time to have visitors in the building, and residents will be able to have up to two visitors at a time to meet within an approved area. However, increasing case counts have impacted this policy, forcing communi- ties to put a temporary pause on indoor visitations. In November, Governor Brown issued a statewide freeze that halted indoor visitations, which coin- cided with Thanksgiving. The new normal looks much different in the in-home care setting. Caregivers play by a different set of rules; they step into new environments almost every day working at their clients’ homes. Adeo In-Home Care staff have an electronic COVID-19 screener for employees to use every time they clock-in. “It’s a completely uncontrolled environ- ment,” said Kevin Call, owner of Adeo In-Home Care. “We’re going to have to be the chameleon that changes color and figures out how to continue to provide good quality home care to those who need it.” The inability to effectively control visita- tions from family and friends coupled with limited supplies of personal protec- tive equipment (PPE) could be a deadly combination if not properly handled. Call says his staff is working with families, so they understand the regulations and dangers related to COVID-19. While A resident at Jennings McCall in Forest Grove enjoying a cup of cider and treats delivered by staff. Residents at this Seasons Living building can still enjoy the flowers during the colder months with this indoor flower arrangement activity. Music is an essential part of resident activities at Seasons Living. Residents often do social distant sing-alongs to lift spirits. Staff at a Seasons Living building preparing a pumpkin carving activity for residents ahead of Halloween. Nothing like cookies to get into the holiday spirit! A resident is preparing a batch at a Seasons Living Building. Caregivers at Jennings McCall prepare to deliver Halloween-themed drinks and treats to residents.