Health

8 HE ALTH • Fall 2020 • By Riley Garand e coronavirus pandemic has made it harder for senior centers to serve clients who face loneliness, isolation and lack of physical contact S enior citizens continue to be a population largely affected by the coronavirus pandemic, as senior care facilities, nursing homes, senior centers, and pro- grams adapt and fight to protect the well-being of elders. As of Aug. 11, Massachusetts has had 1,898 individuals between the ages of 70 and 79, and 5,496 individuals over the age of 80 who have died from the coronavirus to date, according to the Department of Public Health. In order to protect the vulnerable senior population through socially dis- tant approaches and activities, many different strategies have been enacted as the coronavirus continues to force change within the lives of the elderly. Finding senior engagement within COVID Amy Waters, director of the Worcester Senior Center, said although in-person operations are not occurring, virtual alternatives have been success- ful at the city-funded facility designed to keep at-home seniors active. "The city equipped staff with the technology to work effectively from home," Waters said. "We are able to access our database, so from day one of the pandemic, staff began making well- ness check phone calls to senior center participants and later expanded our calls to the city's older residents." The Worcester Senior Center has now made 15,000 contacts, while help has been provided for the centers vari- ous services. Vetted volunteers help the center adhere to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control guidelines to manage food and supply delivery, assistance with critical benefits, health insurance, as well as housing. Waters said one concern with virtual operations was making sure all seniors were able to access the internet. "We made the shift to remote pro- gramming remarkably well," Waters said. "Realizing that many seniors would not be able to access the internet, the city government channel videogra- phers were enlisted to help create vid- eos, which air on Channel 192, now fondly known as the Worcester Senior Center-Stay Connect Channel." Waters said after utilizing many part- nerships, different programs are now offered to senior members seven days a week. Some offerings include fitness, education, and entertainment pro- grams. Various staff members moderate telephone calls and classes with groups. Senior education during a pandemic The Worcester Institute of Senior Education, which is a community-based institute sponsored by Assumption University, has shifted to online learn- ing. Monica Gow, director of WISE, said the shift has helped seniors and staff stay connected through courses and clubs. "It still provides intellectual stimula- tion, offers a sense of community, and socialization," Gow said. "It really gives people structure and routine, and the classes and clubs that we are doing online gives something for people to look forward to especially in these chal- lenging times." Zoom calls with virtual experiences have been put into place, to replace in- class instruction, and operations. "We offer what we call CWI's, or con- versations with instructors," Gow said. "That really gave people an opportunity to come familiar with Zoom. It gave instruc- tors the opportunity to practice a differ- ent delivery system than in a classroom. Those were huge changes for everyone." Gow said although WISE has been unable to do events and trips, the insti- tute brought everything online, includ- ing classes, clubs, and featured speak- ers. Seniors can talk to friends private- ly, next to socializing with instructors. "It's different than an 18 year old hopping on for a class. There is a learn- ing curve," Gow said. "There is a lot of coaxing and encouraging people, and we are providing as much of that as needed to get people to go online. The ones who have been very hesitant, who have tried it, have loved it." WISE holds, what Gow calls, Zoom coffee breaks acting as an instructional resource for members wanting to learn more about how to use Zoom. Issues at nursing homes Nursing homes, where seniors live and receive health care, have been hit with the tragic realities the coronavirus puts upon the older generation. Matt Salmon, CEO of SALMON Health and Retirement of Westborough, which operates eight long-term care facilities in Central Massachusetts, said the system has to get creative to keep serving its patients. Much like the City of Worcester, SALMON developed a television chan- nel at its Willows of Worcester facility to broadcast information to residents about proper hand washing, changes in its public policy and a live question- and-answer session with Salmon. "Since we have several sites, we get to leverage what becomes a best practice at one site versus another," Salmon said. "It was a powerful use of technol- ogy to help keep our residents engaged and informed, and ultimately, safe." When the pandemic began, SALMON's Beaumont Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center in Worcester was vacated of its residents and turned by UMass Memorial Health Care into a dedicated COVID-19 treat- ment center, which saw 253 patients. Beaumont has since been converted back into a nursing home, although the experience created a hectic time for everyone, Salmon said. "Prior to COVID-19, nursing homes had limited exposure to infectious dis- eases with any significant scale. That meant we all had a lot of learning and catching up to do," Salmon said. Tara Gregorio, president of Massachusetts Senior Care Association, said government action is necessary for three steps: allowing nursing homes to offer a premium hero wage for staff, ensuring adequate personal protection equipment, and increased testing. Next to nursing homes continuing efforts to procure PPE, with many experiencing multiple challenges doing so, Gregorio said retention of staff remains an evident issue. In many PHOTOS/EDD COTE Worcester area resident Evelyn McTigue greets Meals on Wheels delivery man Paul Frigon just out- side her home in this 2019 photo. PHOTO/MATT WRIGHT Senior struggles

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