By CHERYL ROMANO/YachatsNews.com
For the 44 residents and 35 staff of the Sea Aire Assisted Living facility in Yachats life is not going on as normal, but as well as can be expected during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Our residents are doing very well,” Sea Aire administrator Robin Allen said Thursday. “There is a bit of boredom, but there hasn’t been a single complaint. They understand the severity of the situation and the importance of keeping everyone safe.”
The coronavirus outbreak has hit some assisted living and nursing homes especially hard. The 11 deaths and 316 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Oregon have been concentrated among the elderly and those with underlying conditions. But there has been just one case involving a Lincoln County resident — who caught the virus while out of the county and is being treated elsewhere in Oregon.
Residents are getting three meals a day delivered to their apartments, unlike the group dining that was practiced before.
While they’re not restricted to their apartments, residents must follow the “social distancing” guidelines of remaining three to six feet apart, Allen said.
Residents may not leave the building for any appointments considered non-essential. If a resident does have to leave for an urgent appointment, they’ll come back to a two-week quarantine in their apartment, Allen said, but “we haven’t had to do that yet.”
Except for staff and residents, no one is allowed in the building unless there is an emergency, as ordered by Gov. Kate Brown.
Sea Aire staff are screened at the door every day for fevers and wellness checks. To reduce potential exposure, three of the 35 staff members have been told not to come in for the time being — one each in maintenance, housekeeping and activities.
“Since the governor’s stay-home order, we’re encouraging family and friends to not even stand outside residents’ windows,” Allen said. Prior to the stay-home order, Allen said friends or family members were dropping off items at the facility’s entrance, but that has lessened in the last few days.
“People in the community have called and asked what they can do, and we really appreciate the support,” Allen said. “We appreciate everyone — family members, our wonderful staff, the residents and the community — who are doing their part to keep us all safe. We’ll get through this.”
