Care home residents are isolated by COVID-19 rules. Modesto center has an idea to help
Faced with ever tighter restrictions on visitors, Casa de Modesto Retirement Center is making a novel request to bridge the gap between isolated residents and their family members.
The nonprofit facility, providing skilled nursing and assisted living, is asking for donation of tablets or iPads. Residents isolated during the COVID-19 crisis could use the devices to communicate with family members on Skype or FaceTime, Development Director Teresa Jenna said.
State and federal guidance to keep the coronavirus out of nursing homes and other care facilities has resulted in almost a closed-door policy, creating hardships for residents, Jenna said. She referred to a terminally ill patient who could only have visits from one family member at a time.
Jenna said she started reaching out to possible business and community donors Tuesday. She said residents provided with tablets or iPads could connect to Internet service at Casa de Modesto and then enjoy conversations with their loved ones.
Monetary donations to Casa de Modesto could also be used to purchase televisions or other items for rooms. Jenna said that, as a nonprofit facility, it does not have emergency funds for buying the technology for residents’ use.
Casa de Modesto serves about 60 people in skilled nursing, 40 to 50 in assisted living and 11 in memory care.
Those interested in assisting the facility and its residents may call Liane Reyes or Teresa Jenna at (209) 529-4950 or send an email to tjenna@casademodesto.org. The address: Casa de Modesto, 1745 Eldena Way, Modesto 95350.
