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Richmond senior homes are keeping residents from getting bored

Senior living communities in Richmond are looking for ways to keep residents entertained and connected after shutting their doors to non-essential visitors, including musical performers and Tai Chi masters.
Richmond senior homes are keeping residents from getting bored _0
Senior living communities in Richmond are looking for ways to keep residents entertained and connected. Google Maps

Senior living communities in Richmond are looking for ways to keep residents entertained and connected after shutting their doors to non-essential visitors, including musical performers and Tai Chi masters. 

Many senior homes are banning outside visitors and cancelling almost all group gatherings following an outbreak at Lynn Valley Care Centre that has had 10 deaths related to the virus so far. Senior residences and care homes have been placed on high alert since the COVID-19 mortality rate for the elderly is high. 

For seniors who already struggle with loneliness, the greater segregation could make them feel even more isolated and abandoned. 

However, a few local senior homes have taken steps to bring smiles and comfort to their residents, while keeping them safe indoors.

No group activities or visiting are allowed at Courtyard Gardens Retirement Residence, a senior living community in Richmond that offers independent, assisted living and extended care. However, residents' still provided with social and mental stimulation. 

"Our staff are going room to room to offer activity sheets, exercise sheets and puzzle games. We help residents to set up audiobooks. There is an app we use called Fit Mind, so they can do some brain games if they have a computer or iPad," said Amanda Hill, general manager of Courtyard Gardens, adding that they are also delivering meals three times a day. 

In addition, workers are helping seniors chat with their loved ones via Facetime at extended care suits. 

Verve Senior Living, the company that operates Courtyard Gardens, decided on Mar. 17 to restrict all visitors to essential services. All residents were asked to stay indoors on Mar. 20, according to Hill. 

With the emergence of COVID-19, restrictions on social activities are also tightening. 

"Currently, residents are asked to stay away from one another. They can walk in the hallway and sit outside as long as they don't congregate," said Hill on March 23, stressing that group exercise or card games with others aren't allowed. 

The Maple Residences, an independent living residence located in the heart of Steveston, also issued an order to ban any visitors except essential services into the building after careful review with the provincial health authority. 

Meanwhile, recreation programs have been cancelled to ensure everyone's safety, according to a statement posted online on March 25. 

Besides, the dining room will also be closed by the Maple Residences on March 30, replaced by regular room service to all suites. 

It has been a difficult time for staff working in senior homes, said Hill. The biggest challenge is to keep them positive and upbeat because a lot of them have more than one job, they need to be really careful to limit where they are going in public and ensure that they are practicing good social-distancing.

"It's incredibly challenging for the staff to meet the demand. But we know doing these things is going to keep us healthy and safe. Hopefully preventing any outbreak in our building. It has been challenging, but we know it's the right thing to do."