Rest Assured

Area Assisted Living Residents Shelter Safely With Friends

- Kathleen Ward

As Easter and Mother’s Day passed and family celebrations around tables and grills were replaced by window and video visits, both residents and staff members of local assisted living centers rolled with it, sometimes literally. On Easter, several parades peopled with family, and friends of residents moved in a slow charging celebration watched from windows and balconies.

“Over 60 cars, including police and fire escort, circled around the perimeter of our community so that residents in all areas could enjoy,” said Caroline Barry of The Blake at Bossier City. “We also had a special performance from ‘The Chillbillie Twins’ (Pam Pilkinton Anderson and Pat Pilkinton Norris), who recently went viral and appeared on Fox & Friends with their song the ‘Coronavirus Blues.’”

“A church came from outside our campus to spread their message of encouragement,” said Lydia Earhart of The Glen. “We also had a visit from the Ellerbe CVS Easter Bunny to donate socks and candy. Different hospice businesses wrote messages to staff with sidewalk chalk or sang to staff and residents.” It was an Easter to remember for its strangeness, novelty, and kindness.

Life changed dramatically as Covid-19 moved across the county, but local residential communities quickly adapted to the new normal. Each re-framed social interactions to ensure every activity adhered to shifting restrictions and changing guidelines to help keep their residents healthy and content.