Cecelia Meyer, a resident at Elderwood of Uihlein at Lake Placid, socially distances amid a sea of greenery in the elder care center’s greenhouse. (Photo provided)

The coronavirus outbreak has been difficult for the elderly, especially those at nursing homes, as they are among the most vulnerable populations and have been on lockdown in elder care facilities. But the activities staff at Elderwood of Uihlein at Lake Placid say they are trying to make this time as easy as possible for their residents.

Activity Director Beth Mc Laughlin said this has been a stressful time for staff, too, but they are still trying to do their best. She said they are all worried about COVID-19 but are staying calm.

“We are all in the health field, and we know that calm is good,” she said.

She said residents still talk with family and friends through video calls, through the room windows that face out onto the grass, or through the front main window.

She said the other day some residents and staff members got a concert when two men who used to play in a band together jammed through a window. One of them, a resident, played harmonica from inside, and the other played his guitar out on the grass.

Josie Perks talks on Skype in her room at Elderwood of Uihlein at Lake Placid. (Photo provided)

“He was down in the dumps. He wanted to see his buddy, and he wanted to play his harmonica,” Mc Laughlin said.

She said residents can’t wait until things return to normal. They are playing bingo in smaller groups but look forward to when they can fill a room with bingo players again.

Mc Laughlin said the facility was running low on bingo prizes, so local businesses and community members donated boxes and boxes of scarves, stuffed animals and costume jewelry.

“They mean a lot to the residents,” Mc Laughlin said.

She said some of the new things will likely stick around, even after the coronavirus threat is gone. She said constant cleansing has become normal, with employees disinfecting rails, handles and even walls habitually. She said this habit will likely not go away.

“I feel safer here than I do in the supermarket,” she said.

Video calling, too, is here to stay, she said. It’s a quick way for families who live far away, or even who live close, to connect.

Residents who have dementia or are hard of hearing have trouble understanding people wearing masks, as some rely on lip reading. Though it strains communication, Mc Laughlin said having staff wear masks is best for the residents’ safety and that they are working around the obstacles.

“The nurses are just the best in the world,” Mc Laughlin said. “You see the best people float to the top.”

Mc Laughlin said the administrators are trying to keep state members’ spirits high, bringing them pizzas and words of encouragement.

“They start a meeting and say, ‘Hey, thanks for coming in today,'” Mc Laughlin said. “And you know what? That meant a lot to me. Because that day, I didn’t want to come in. It’s stressful.

“I think that’s important,” she added. “You need a pat on the back.”