OHCA Oregon Caregiver Spring Summer 2020

The Oregon Caregiver SPRING/SUMMER 2020 www.ohca.com 10 FEATURE “The majority of the staff stepped up. I have a dedicated group that said, ‘We want to work in that unit where we know there’s COVID; this is what we do. We’re healthcare professionals, we’re nurses, we’re CNAs.’ These veterans are their family. I know everybody who’s a caregiver cares for who they have in front of them.” – Kelly Odegaard, Vice President, Westcare Management » HEALTHCARE HEROES, CONT. The home has seen more than a dozen confirmed cases of COVID-19 since March 11. Seven residents lost their lives to the virus, many of whom are honored veterans with underlying medical conditions. The home has a tradition of honoring each veteran resident who passes with the “Walk of Honor” to recognize their service to the country. The home is continuing the tradition during the pandemic, and taking precautionary measures to protect staff and to prevent the spread of the virus. Instead of lining the hallways, caregivers and staff have been invited to line the sidewalks at a social distance outside. The resident who has passed away is escorted tenderly, draped with a burial flag and a hand- made quilt from Quilts of Valor. Staff members fold the burial flag 13 times to reflect honor guard standards and present it to a family member or repre- sentative. Kelly Odegaard, the vice president of Westcare Management, says most of the residents and staff who tested positive for COVID-19 have recovered. One of the more notable recoveries came from 104-year-old William Lapschies, one of the world’s oldest coronavirus survivors who made headlines around the world when he recovered just in time to celebrate his birthday. The outpouring support from the local and statewide community has lifted spirits of the residents and staff at the veterans’ home. Odegaard says commu- nity members routinely bring food and local restaurants donate meals. “Any support you get is going to be good, even the gesture like the Oregon Air National Guard flyovers that are happen- ing is all a good morale booster. The facility in Lebanon is very beloved by the community,” said Odegaard. When it comes to activities, Odegaard says the veterans’ homes, like many other communities, use technology to connect residents with families. Caregivers at The Dalles facility use a form of pet therapy, where a dog makes his rounds, visiting residents outside their windows. To help increase staff morale, both veterans’ homes also provide housing for staff. “The majority of the staff stepped up. I have a dedicated group that said, ‘we want to work in that unit where we know there’s COVID; this is what we do. We’re healthcare professionals, we’re nurses, we’re CNAs.’ These veterans are their family. I know everybody who’s a caregiver cares for who they have in front of them,” said Odegaard. He credits the recoveries to the ramping up of precautions and staying on top of all the changing guidelines from the local and federal levels. While the Lebanon facility was able to contain the spread quickly, the challenge was getting ahead of it. William Lapschies made worldwide headlines when he beat COVID-19 while celebrating his 104th birthday at the Veterans' Home in Lebanon.