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The Human Spirit

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By Rose Fabrick, Certified Concierge Care Advisor

The strength of the human spirit has been amazing to witness through this COVID-19 pandemic. Although it has been a disruption on our work and personal lives, I have witnessed repeatedly how my fellow humans have rallied together to help each other, and to express kindness and love to one another.

I am so proud of my co-workers at Concierge Care Advisors for working together to find new ways to continue the important work to serve seniors and their families with care and transition. We do look forward to getting back to normal. In the meantime, while abiding by the Washington State Stay Home Stay Safe order, we are assisting families with transition for their elder loved ones.

A sudden need for transition – discharge from the hospital due to a change in health condition – is emotionally challenging for the senior and family. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic has made it necessary to incorporate safety measures to the transition process in order to protect the residents and staff in the assisted living community or adult family home. Family members entrust the care and support for their elder one to the Provider and staff without contact – temporarily – until the COVID-19 pandemic is cleared. Communities and adult family homes have become creative with finding ways for families to communicate with their loved ones. One example is setting up FaceTime or Zoom connections with their senior resident and family. One Adult Family Home provider purchased iPads for each resident living in each of their 8 homes. The Caregivers in these homes were quickly trained on the iPads so they can support their residents’ communication with family. Families have also had to be flexible and creative. One son brought his children to see their grandfather through his bedroom window at the adult family home. It brought great joy for his Dad and his children.

The larger assisted living communities have setup “safe zone” areas where family can visit from a comfortable spot outside of the building, see their loved one through a glass door/window, and use a cell phone to communicate. They have created different social activities for the senior residents. Hallway bingo is an example. Each resident sits by the door of their apartment, abiding by the 6-feet apart social distancing, while staff members move through the hallway while calling out the letter-number. Staff members take residents on individualized walks to the courtyard or adjacent park, masks worn and maintaining social distance. Three meals per day are delivered to each resident in their apartment. All hands-on-deck for staff members in the communities to make this possible.

Human contact is undeniable and necessary for our well-being. The need does not go away during a pandemic. Family, friends, neighbors, work partners and co-workers are connecting in new ways. Zoom app is ideal for business meetings and personal contact. It is being used for book clubs, bible study, celebrating Passover and Easter with family, reaching out to keep family, friends and business partners connected. To see and speak with other people will always be the best form of communication.

The lack of Personal Protective Equipment is also challenging. Our state Governors are doing all they can to find these safety tools necessary for healthcare workers, especially in hospitals. For the staff at assisted living communities and adult family homes, many resources are stepping up to help sew masks. My neighbor reached to our circle of neighbors asking if any of us can sew masks for his staff at an assisted living community. I did not have a sewing machine. I reached out to two of my co-workers to see if I could borrow one. I borrowed from one co-worker, and my other co-worker joined me in sewing masks. We found fabric – extra cotton sheets provided by family or fabric remnants from a quilting store – and elastic ordered from Amazon Prime. Another co-worker reached out to her circle of people who sew, in and out of Washington state, and collected 500 masks. Generosity of time and effort.

Seniors are the most vulnerable to the changes in daily living during COVID-19. It is difficulty if not impossible for them to get to the grocery store for food items or necessities. The seniors have lost their social outlet when the senior centers had to close their doors. For some seniors, they depended on meals at the senior centers. The Northshore Senior Center in Bothell created a Pop-Up Pantry for seniors to obtain non-perishable food items or to order ready made meals that can be delivered to them. These food items are provided through donations from the community and monetary donations to keep the Pop-Up Pantry open for seniors. Dispatch Health is running a food drive for the seniors they serve; kindness to seniors who are neighbors and members of our community.

Until we can get back to “normal” –  and this experience may give us a new and better normal – this is a time for us to remember our human strength, resilience, and need to connect, love, and care.

Stay home, stay safe and healthy. We will be together again soon!

Written by
Concierge Care Advisors

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Concierge Care Advisors

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No Cost for Families

Our services are entirely free for families. We are compensated by the senior living community or retirement community we refer to, allowing us to help all families with this important journey at no cost to them.

Boots on the Ground

We thoroughly vet every community and professional we work with, ensuring you receive the quality service you deserve. We set benchmarks that matter and only partner with professionals and communities that meet our high standards.

Personalized Choice

With personal relationships with over 2,200 senior living communities throughout the State of Washington alone, including assisted living communities, retirement communities, and independent living communities, we provide more than 2,000 senior living options.

White-Glove Service

You and your loved ones are our focus. From the moment we meet until the day your loved one moves in, we’re by your side every step of the way to ensure your family has the support it deserves. It doesn’t stop there either – stay connected for physician-informed guidance and knowledge to ensure your loved one is receiving the quality care they need.

Expertise Backed by Our Physicians Advisory Board

At Concierge Care Advisors, our team of Certified Advisors is enhanced by the insights and expertise of our Physicians Advisory Board. This panel of medical professionals plays a crucial role in shaping our senior care and transition services, ensuring they meet the high standards of quality and care that our brand is known for. With their guidance, we deliver a more comprehensive range of services, benefiting both families and healthcare professionals.

Our Physicians Advisory Board members actively share their knowledge with our community. They regularly contribute to #TheSeniorSpotlight Podcast, where they discuss critical topics in senior care, and publish thought leadership articles on our blog and in industry publications. Learn more about our Physician Advisory Board here

These resources are designed to help seniors and their families make informed decisions about care options, equipping them with knowledge and providing peace of mind regarding senior health and living options. 

Listen to our Physician Advisory Board on #TheSeniorSpotlight Podcast

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