Page 34 - Healthcare News Nov_Dec, 2020

Opioids
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been able to return to the level of normalcy we had before.”
But that’s not the only way the pandemic has affected substance- abuse treatment (see related story on page 11). Stress, loneliness, and lack of physical interaction — some of the many byproducts of COV- ID-19 — are among the very reasons why people in recovery from opioid addiction are vulnerable to relapse, Quaglia said.
“When you stop using narcotics, you have to replace that with some- thing else to fill the void,” he ex- plained. “Recovery meetings can be a big help because you meet people and expand your social network.”
Support meetings on virtual plat- forms allow for some interaction, but they are not set up for the more personal interactions, or what Qua- glia described as the “meeting after the meeting” where a few people get together just to talk over coffee. Aviles-Hernandez also emphasized the importance of these meetings.
“It would be easy to dismiss go- ing out for coffee as a minor thing, but for those struggling with addic- tions, these informal social gather- ings make up the foundation that supports recovery.”
And COVID-19 discourages those important human connections, Aviles-Hernandez noted. “Not be- ing able to embrace people and keeping everyone at a distance works against the support system
Cedarbrook
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once located on Main Street in Ware.
Trends in senior living have changed over the years. Twenty years ago, such communities tend- ed to attract people in their mid- to late 70s. As longevity has increased, the average move-in age these days has risen closer to the 80s and even 90s.
In the past, inquiries from fami- lies focused on services and ameni- ties offered, as well as activities and the level of care. Since COVID-19, Russell said, the questions have changed. “Now, we’re asked, ‘do you have a generator?’ ‘how do you respond to emergencies?’ and ‘what supplies do you have on hand?’”
As a new building that has only
that helps those struggling with substance-use disorders, as well as other issues related to mental health.”
Because Gándara works with underserved communities, Aviles- Hernandez said her clients were struggling before the pandemic. “When you add COVID on top of that, it creates a perfect storm for severe problems.”
Another issue COVID-19 has ag- gravated is homelessness. Quaglia said many people in recovery who had unstable housing before, stay-
become an essential part of navigat- ing the support system.
“Clients might have a disposable mask that’s falling apart after five or six days of wearing it,” he said. “We give them new ones because, if they don’t have a mask, they will be denied other services they may need.”
Meeting the Need
COVID-19 concerns affect care- takers as well, Aviles-Hernandez said. Many of Gándara’s programs must meet specific staffing levels
coronavirus hit.
“It all sounded so nice, and we
were getting ready to gradually roll it out,” she recalled. “Then sud- denly we were told, ‘you’re shutting down, and you have to make it work for tomorrow.’”
To improve access to telehealth services, Gándara staff have been creative in securing funds for people who need a smartphone or tablet. Sometimes they just need more minutes on their phone plan to connect.
“Treatment many not look how we want it to, but we are dealing with what we have and making the best of it,” she said, while applying that same standard to her own pa- tient meetings. Prior to COVID-19, a therapy session would be an hour long and take place in her office. Now, this meeting takes place over the phone.
“I may not be able to keep that person’s attention on the phone for an hour, so if we only talk for 15 minutes, I’ve still engaged them,” she said. “We have trained our staff to make these types of adjustments so we can still give people what they need.”
While the disruption can be jarring for vulnerable people who need these services, Aviles-Hernan- dez encourages them to call and ask questions on how to navigate the support systems that remain
so necessary — especially in a time when opioid addiction seems to be ticking up again.
“The resources are out there,” she said. “They just look different.” v
ity, Russell believes the key is to make adjustments as things change. “I don’t really feel like there is a ‘new normal’ because every day brings new and different challenges we have to face.”
And, like everyone, she looks forward to a time when COVID-19 restrictions are a thing of the past. “We can’t wait until we can fully open the community and share with families everything we have to offer here.”
Prior to Cedarbrook’s open-
ing, Russell had another big event on her calendar this year — she was married on Aug. 28, a date she intentionally chose before the Sep- tember opening.
“The wedding was much easier to plan than opening the build- ing,” she said with a laugh — but is happy to have accomplished both during a year no one will forget. v
“
We have to keep our staffing levels up in order to keep our doors open for people who need our programs. Finding the right balance has been tricky.”
ing at a friend’s house or sleeping on someone’s couch, have lost even that security.
“Since COVID, people aren’t as comfortable having anyone stay in their home, so our clients who were marginally housed before have now become homeless,” he noted, add- ing that this trend is most notice- able in more heavily populated areas like Springfield and Holyoke.
For those without a stable home, even resources like an adequate supply of face masks aren’t a given. Quaglia often gives his clients fresh masks because wearing one has
recently opened, Russell is able to market the community as having plenty of space for socially dis- tanced meals in two large dining rooms. “Everyone can eat together because we can space them far enough apart.”
Cedarbrook also works with a primary-care physician whom resi- dents can access through telehealth for routine inquiries, rather than going out to a doctor’s office. Mean- while, an exercise physiologist runs the fitness programs for residents. At one time, exercise programs and other activities filled the calendar, but the number of activities has been reduced to allow for disin- fecting equipment and rooms in between sessions. Russell described it as emphasizing quality and safety over quantity.
“If you’re smart about it,” she said, “you can still offer activities and keep everyone safe.”
as part of their state license. When staff members test positive for coro- navirus or miss work due to family concerns, it can impact those look- ing for treatment.
“We have to keep our staffing levels up in order to keep our doors open for people who need our pro- grams,” she said. “Finding the right balance has been tricky.”
Even amid these challenges, Aviles-Hernandez credits her staff with being resourceful in helping clients. A good example is Gánda- ra’s telehealth services, which were still in the planning stages before
Shifting Tides
By following that same approach, Russell continues to assure families that senior-living communities such as Cedarbrook are the right choice for their loved ones during this crisis.
“We want families to feel secure in knowing that there will always be support here for their loved ones,” Russell said, adding that, while no one can guarantee CO- VID-19 won’t find a way to infect people, Cedarbrook has measures and equipment in place in the event of an outbreak.
“If our residents have to quar- antine, they will still get the care they need and still have their meals,” she said. “We will also help residents stay in touch with their families.”
Keeping safety as the main prior-
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