Wednesday marked the first time since March 14 Nancy Konzuk had seen her husband Blaine face to face as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Even then, it was several feet away and through a large plexiglass shield.
“I wanted to see the whole person, but there’s no hugs,” Nancy said, speaking to SooToday Wednesday as she visited Blaine outside the Extendicare Maple View nursing home on Northern Avenue.
The shield is one of a myriad of precautions put in place at Maple View (and other homes across Ontario) as the facility marked the first day of visits from family members for residents during the pandemic.
The visits are being held outside under tents, no indoor visitation allowed.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced earlier this month the provincial government would allow a cautious restart, beginning June 18, of family visits to long term care homes, group homes and retirement homes not going through a COVID-19 outbreak.
“I didn’t know what to expect. I was really hoping for a hug. That would be a good day. Eventually we’ll be able to get inside...but at least they’re doing this. It gets him outside,” Nancy said.
“I was hoping I’d be able to walk around with him, but that’ll come.”
“I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I needed to come,” Nancy said.
Blaine has been an Extendicare Maple View nursing home resident since January, not long before the province wide COVID-19 shutdown in March.
“We had two months of both of us getting used to the whole system and then there was the shutdown and I couldn’t see him,” Nancy said.
Nancy drove from her home in Bruce Mines three times a week.
Nancy said she’ll now be meeting with Blaine every Wednesday, adding she’s looking forward to being able to share a cup of coffee and donut with him as restrictions hopefully lift.
Nancy was sharing her visit with Blaine via FaceTime with their two daughters who reside outside the Sault and Algoma area.
Blaine is afflicted with Alzheimer's disease, “but he recognized me,” Nancy said.
“When he saw me, he had a big smile. There was a big smile and that’s all I wanted.”
Half-hour visits from one family member at a time are being allowed at Maple View from Monday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to noon, then again between 2 and 5 p.m.
The rest home aims to have up to 32 visits a day.
Visitors are directed into the Extendicare Maple View parking lot by a security guard, then fill out a questionnaire, have their temperatures taken and directed to one of eight outdoor visiting stations, located under two tents.
Two chairs (one for a resident, one for a family member) are separated by plexiglass.
Visitors must wear masks.
Staff are on scene dressed in PPE and six feet apart, each visiting station disinfected before and after each visit.
“It’s still a little bit daunting for families that they have to wear masks, but it’s a positive step in the right direction,” said Wanda McQueen, Extendicare Maple View program manager.
“Families are still concerned because there’s plexiglass and they have to wear a mask, so it’s still a little bit upsetting for them that they can’t hug and give their loved one a kiss but we’re following the guidelines and trying to keep everyone safe.”
“It’s been nice seeing residents smiling while they’re waiting for their loved ones before they go outside, and when they come back in they’re smiling. It’s great,” said Amanda Kellar, care director.
“There’ve been a lot of thank yous from the residents and the families...it’s been awesome to see and rewarding for all of us,” said Melissa Leblanc, assistant director of care.
There had been 16 visits at Maple View by late Wednesday afternoon.
Barbara Harten, Extendicare Maple View administrator, said a large team effort was behind the work which led to acquiring of tents and providing security.
In May, COVID-19 was confirmed in three Maple View residents though they had no symptoms and remained in isolation.
An Extendicare Maple View staff member was reported to be isolating at home after testing positive for COVID-19 earlier this month.
