For those of you old enough to remember the song, “This is Dedicated to the One I Love,” the lyrics seem to describe the current social-distancing situation.
While I’m far away from you, my baby
I know it’s hard for you, my baby
Because it’s hard for me, my baby
And the darkest hour is just before dawn
The population Bethesda serves – older adults and those with underlying medical conditions – seem to be at greater risk for developing more serious complications from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
As a result, Bethesda implemented a restriction on all visitors March 11, following recommendations from the Minnesota Department of Health and CDC. However, emergency situations/visits are considered on an individual basis.
“Bethesda enacted the visitor restrictions to help prevent the exposure to and spread of this virus, and to reduce the risk to our residents, tenants and clients, as well as the caregiving teams who support them,” said Michelle Haefner, president and chief executive officer at Bethesda. “While we acknowledge these changes are difficult for residents and tenants, our priority is to keep them safe and healthy.”
Each night before you go to bed, my baby
Whisper a little prayer for me my baby
And tell all the stars above
This is dedicated to the one I love
While Bethesda is quieter without its many daily visitors, Bethesda team members are working to ensure residents and tenants are still connecting with each other and with their loved ones outside, and that daily living continues as normal to its previous routine as possible.
“The residents and tenants are pretty much spending their time just as they had before, just in a new way,” said Tiffany Picard, recreation director at Bethesda. “They continue to exercise and participate in physical activities, do crafts and trivia, and enjoy devotions, music, and sing-alongs, but it’s set up differently than in the past. They’re still socializing, but at a distance. Often, they are at the doorway of their room and enjoy these activities along the hallway.”
For sing-alongs, each resident is given a packet with the songs, and each resident sits outside his or her doorway and sings with the others. When they play kickball, two residents across the hall from each other kick the ball back and forth. When it’s craft time, each resident sits in his or her own doorway and does the craft at the same time as the other residents. The same with playing bingo, Picard said.
Love can never be exactly like we want it to be
I could be satisfied knowing you love me
There’s one thing I want you to do especially for me –
And it’s something that everybody needs
Residents still enjoy their independent leisure time, as well, such as reading, watching TV, or other activity. If a resident wants her nails done, an activity team member will paint her nails, Picard said. If a resident just wants to relax with a cup of coffee, a team member brings a cup of coffee.
“We’re still spreading smiles, but it’s from afar,” Picard said. “They’re still engaging in cognitive and life-enhancement activities, but we’re all keeping as much distance as possible. Residents and tenants are still connecting with each other and with team members because we want to encourage them to socialize, be active and enjoy life, so they don’t feel isolated, while at the same time, following the experts’ guidelines to keep our distance.”
Bethesda values the importance of relationships and remaining connected with loved ones, Haefner added. “Our team members are finding creative ways for residents to continue visits from family and friends, including through a newly launched E-Connect program that uses FaceTime and Skype.”
While I’m far away from you, my baby
Whisper a little prayer for me, my baby
Because it’s hard for me, my baby
And the darkest hour is just before dawn
People who would like to sign-up for an E-Connect call via Skype or FaceTime with their loved one at Bethesda can contact Recreation Director Tiffany Picard at 320-214-5638 or email her at [email protected].
The response to E-Connect has been remarkable. Each day, residents use E-Connect for daily coffee chats, family updates and milestone celebrations that would have otherwise been by phone or mail.
If people would like to help Bethesda further the mission of connecting loved ones via technology, donations for the purchase of additional iPads can be made online to Bethesda Foundation at https://bethesdawillmar.com/foundation/donate-now/ or by mail: Bethesda Foundation, Attn: E-Connect, 901 Willmar Ave. SE, Willmar, MN 56201.
If there’s one thing I want you to do especially for me
Then it’s something that everybody needs…
Each night before you go to bed, my baby
Whisper a little prayer for me, my baby
And tell all the stars above –
This is dedicated to the one I love.
“As Bethesda faces this new challenge, we thank the public for their cooperation, support and for their understanding that we are working hard to keep the ones they love safe and healthy,” Haefner said.
