How one Kamloops care home tried to connect seniors with loved ones

A Kamloops long-term care home went above and beyond to connect their residents with their loved ones last week.

The staff at Pine Grove Care Centre organized a COVID-safe candlelight event called Love Light Connection Oct. 16.

Twenty family members brought candles and came to see the seniors through the windows from outside the home. 

"Inside the home, we had 250 little tea lights, the residents held them at the window," co-organizer Wendy Romanowski said. "We did a parade from the front of our home around the the back, went to all the windows and the main dining room."

As live music played outside, families and residents waved to each other and held their candles high.

"Some of them put their hands on the windows, it was pretty incredible," Romanowski said. "The residents are still talking about it, asking 'when are we going to do it again?’"

She added they will plan another safe event for the seniors and their families closer to Christmas.

She said the staff are supporting their residents during the pandemic as best they can, ensuring they can have as many safe visits as they like.

"Extra staff was hired through the province to support visiting, for the families to stay connected to their loved ones," she said. "Staff come in late, they come back off their shift just to make that happens. It’s incredible."

Visiting has been a priority for the staff to ensure their residents aren't feeling lonely or abandoned, as it has been one of the biggest challenges of the pandemic in other long-term care homes. 

Romanowski said they offer window and outside visits, Skype, FaceTime and phone calls. 

"We like to do whatever we can to make the residents' lives better each day," she said. 

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