With the onset of the COVID-19 outbreak, life has changed significantly for the residents at Big Hill Lodge.
Michelle Dery’s father Earl Sanders, 95, is a resident. He can no longer visit with his family and the small pleasures he had, like playing cards with fellow residents, are a thing of the past for now.
“Their quality of life has changed so much,” Dery said from her home in Calgary.
Big Hill Lodge is home to 69 residents between the ages of 67 and 101, said lodge manager Sandra Robin. Even though the provincial government still allows visitors in long term care facilities, as of Mar. 25, Big Hill Lodge has issued a complete lock down.
In an effort to show residents that they’re loved and missed and show appreciation for the staff, Dery has organized a parade of cars to drive by the facility on Wednesday, Apr. 1 at 2 p.m. Participants can decorate their cars with signs or just wave at the residents who will be watching from their windows.
“Some of them are having a hard time with lock down,” said Dery.
The long term care facility, at 98 Carolina Drive, has a staff of 23 and Robin says they’ve been doing their best to keep an outbreak at bay.
“They’re a dedicated team of individuals that are very professional and do their job well,” Robin said of her staff. Dery, who hasn’t been able to see her father, said her father has reported that the staff have been diligently cleaning surfaces on the hour.
Robin said while some activities have been suspended, the facility still promotes group activities of no more than five residents. The facility also allows room visits, but social distancing is key.
Participants of the parade are asked to remain in their cars. The parade will begin on Carolina Drive and head west by the lodge, up into the driveway and out the back alley.
