ASK AMY KOCH
A monthly column from the Executive Director of the Charles Ford Retirement Communities of New Harmony
Living Through a Pandemic
We asked Amy Koch, executive director of the Charles Ford Retirement Community, to describe what it’s been like for seniors to live through a pandemic.
“Imagine you are a senior and you reside at the Charles Ford Retirement Community. You might expect to be living a life of leisure, because providing you with that kind of existence is our goal.
“In that scenario, you would no longer have the wide range of responsibilities associated with taking care of your home – from leaf removal to roof repairs, from mopping the floors to carrying out the trash – all those tasks are now performed for you. No menu planning or grocery shopping is necessary; the Charles Ford dietary staff cooks-to-order your delicious, healthy meals.
“Your days are enriched by conversation with other residents with whom you share common interests. Activities are scheduled and you are encouraged to participate, yet, to what extent is your choice. Transportation is provided; therefore, you no longer have the need or expense of owning a car, and the town you’ve chosen to live in encourages the use of golf carts on its streets. Sounds like a pretty good life, doesn’t it, and according to the people who live here, it is!
“You see, we believe that senior years are precious, and we take that belief very seriously. We understand the value of those years. That’s why it was so heartbreaking to see the Covid-19 virus force such a major disruption, dramatically impacting their daily lifestyle. For many, the quarantine and isolation became major issues and caused health concerns.
“From the beginning, in addition to following all infection control guidance, the Charles Ford staff made multiple adjustments to accommodate the change in the way our nursing staff provided care, doing everything possible to make changes in daily routine more palatable. Since, the quarantine required residents to spend many hours in their individual apartments, the staff and residents’ families cooperated to do everything possible to overcome the challenges and keep people connected.
“Providing iPads to each resident proved to be a most significant and successful communication tool and everyone quickly learned to communicate with family and friends who could no longer visit in house. As weather permitted and the quarantine began to lift, safe-distanced porch visits were introduced, but it was twelve long months before vaccines were available and all of our residents and staff had been vaccinated. Once immunity was achieved, the quarantine lifted and a normal visiting pattern was resumed, understanding with this newly achieved freedom came some risk of exposure to illness.
“Enduring quarantine at this stage of their lives has been extremely taxing for our seniors,” Amy concluded. At any age, life is precious and to live life to its fullest is ideal.
Going forward, we will continue to follow all applicable guidance. We want to keep our residents as safe as possible.”
