The Danish Home Feeling Grateful, Cautiously Optimistic
It was the third week of April and the first time residents at The Danish Home of Chicago could all be together - at least six feet apart - after 14 days of isolation in their apartments.
"This was a banner week at The Danish Home," wrote president and CEO Scott Swanson to families of residents, with whom he keeps in frequent touch.
The letter captured Swanson's relief and gratitude that, as of this writing, no residents of the boutique senior community in the historic district of Norwood Park have contracted the coronavirus.
"Everyone was so happy just to be with each other again," said The Danish Home's residence counselor, Debi Lathom. "The sense of camaraderie is so important in our small community." As she spoke, director of resident services Robin Decker was leading the close-knit, but safely distanced, seniors in a game that, for the first time in weeks, did not happen over the community's closed-circuit TV system.
"We actually had a lot of fun during the isolation," added Lathom, noting daily games played through circuit TV and walkie-talkies, current event discussions, FaceTime sessions, one-on-one cards games with staff, mobile bar carts, and room service providing three meals a day.
"The residents loved watching us run around like goofballs as we kept them entertained!" she said. Some residents with sewing skills also enjoyed making protective masks.
Both Swanson and Lathom are quick to acknowledge the importance of following cautionary measures mandated by the City of Chicago, the IDPH and the CDC. These include wearing masks, regularly taking residents' and employees' temperatures, vital signs and pulse oximetry, and restricting visits to only employees and essential medical personnel.
"We've been cautious and consistent in following recommendations, but we've also been very lucky," said Swanson, who shared part of a note from a resident's family member:
"I wanted to let you know how grateful I am to all of you who have done an amazing job keeping all the residents safe."
"We're doing what we've always done - maintaining our routines and keeping our residents engaged," said Swanson. "But we're painfully aware of the situation other senior communities are facing during the pandemic, and we are heartbroken for them."
Until non-essential visitors can once again enter The Danish Home, Swanson encourages cards, letters, video calls and "glass visits," like the one a resident had some weeks ago when her family held signs, waved Norwegian flags, and sang "Happy Birthday" to her outside the community's windows.
"We have learned a lot through this," said Swanson. "When it's all said and done, daily monitoring and stringent health precautions will continue to be necessary."