Area long‑term care facility administrators report their residents and staff are in good spirits despite the worldwide pandemic that has made things challenging. "It's a big change for [residents] because they can't have their families on site," says Camela Deschene, administrator of the Eastport Memorial Nursing Home.
     On March 15 Governor Janet Mills declared a state of civil emergency, making several recommendations aimed at slowing the spread of COVID‑19, the illness caused by the novel coronavirus. Among them was that long‑term care providers prohibit visitors and access for nonessential personnel. At that time Maine had 12 confirmed cases of COVID‑19, including two at residents of OceanView at Falmouth in Cumberland County, and state officials feared it would spread rapidly in communal living settings.
     For the residences such as the Eastport nursing home, adapting has meant a world of change. Families visit by phone and via Internet video chats. Games such as Yahtzee are played in the hallways -- each person in the doorway of his or her room -- rather than with everyone sitting around an individual table. Staff visit with residents on a one‑to‑one basis, assisting them as they take virtual tours of museums, zoos and other sites.
     "Our activities department has basically changed the whole way we do things," Deschene says. "It's surprising how well they're doing. Keeping them engaged as much as possible really helps." The facility has begun a pen pal program, connecting residents with the community through written letters, and a volunteer conducts spiritual visits by phone in lieu of church.
     One of the biggest changes facing residents of facilities everywhere is how they take their meals. Standard practice has always been for residents to eat together so they can socialize.
     "We had to stop that and go to room service only," says Arlena Fickett, administrator of Washington Place, a senior living center in Calais. Like their counterparts in Eastport, the 28 residents of Washington Place are eating in their rooms and visiting with family via phone or Internet. Some have had window visitors, Fickett says. Residents can walk the corridors as long as they keep in mind social-distancing protocols. "We're doing OK. It's challenging," she says, adding residents miss their families and loved ones. It's even more challenging for residents dealing with dementia who find it difficult to understand what is going on and the reasons for changes in routine.
"Everybody looks healthy. Everybody is healthy as far as we can tell," says Fickett, adding the staff of about 20 is doing their best to support residents. "We're all in this together."
     The 53 staff members at the Maine Veterans' Home in Machias have had to find creative ways to help residents enjoy social time, says Josh Scroggins, director of development and communications for the home, which includes five other locations across Maine. "Birthdays are still being celebrated, but loved ones are now singing 'Happy Birthday' via Facetime, Skype and telephone calls," he says. "Bingo is still being played, but with disposable playing cards, and residents are now socially distanced. As the weather has gotten nicer, residents are enjoying the good weather outdoors -- all at least six feet apart, of course."
     Activities Director Lisa Cirone helped everyone celebrate Easter by dressing up as the Easter bunny. Like those at other facilities, Maine Veterans' Home residents have had window visits, including some from wildlife, Scroggins says.
     Another important part of the long‑term care equation concerns staffing and the supply of personal protective equipment (PPE). All three facilities reported no significant staffing challenges, but PPE has been an issue for Eastport. Deschene says surfing the Internet looking for new sources of PPE has become a "daily activity" among staff.