Friday, May 1, 2020

At a time when Long Term Care Homes in Ontario are virtually shutting down everything except direct personal care, the residents at Georgian Bay Seniors Lodge in Penetanguishene are cautiously enjoying life. GBSL closed their doors to visitors early with the very first warning of a Pandemic and has been strictly following directives given to Long Term Care Facilities and keeping residents informed all along the way. They quickly closed the doors to any contract workers and have been maintaining the workload within. All doors are locked and staff are screened upon entry and again during each shift. The site of all staff wearing face protection
and gloves is no longer a fear as it has actually brought some comfort to the residents as they watch and listen to what is happening to seniors all around them.

GBSL has the benefit of dedicated staff, appreciative residents and space. When other (newer) homes may have limited options for social distancing and self-issolation, the residents at GBSL
are enjoying their freedom and are able to carry on their lives by still seeing their house" friends and co-residents. The main dining room has been closed and meals are served in the Auditorium where social distancing can be maintained while still allowing for conversation and friendly smiles.

With 5 floors of space, auditoriums, recreational space, libraries and a seperate memory care unit, there are a lot of places a resident can wonder outside of their own private room and be
alone. Once the warmer weather comes, there are large enclosed courtyards to wonder. At a time when homes have needed to shut down activities to adhere to restrictions on the size of gatherings, GBSL has chosen to ramp up" activities to aleviate the stress, fear and boredom, wherever safely possilbe.

The auditorium features a projector on a theatre sized wall where up to 20 residents can come each Tuesday night to watch a comedy and easily adhere to social distancing restrictions.
With the idea that we have to create our own fun and not rely on outside entertainment, it was decided to put together an art gallery in the closed down dining room. With all the chairs and tables gone, there is plenty of space for residents and staff to showcase their talents. Some are knitting, some are crocheting or painting and others are submitting items they did in their younger years. It is amazing the talent that emerges when you are forced to do it yourself.

This Monday afternoon, residents will wander through the gallery and admire each other's talents. There will be no seats and no loitering but plenty of space to wonder through the art exhibit and feel the sunshining through the many windows while imagining you are on a field trip. As everyone wishes for a return to normal" others have been able to adapt to a new normal and roll with it.

Posted at 12:18 PM