Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana

Surviving/Thriving Amid COVID-19: Meadowlark Manor Reopens Its Door to Visitors

At this time last year, the world went into lockdown in fear of COVID-19. We didn't know what the virus could do, would do, or where we would be in a year.

For the residents of Meadowlark Manor, it has been a long year. Because of COVID-19, the Manor shut its doors to visitors – the family and friends of the residents – and the residents were only permitted off the premises for medical appointments. The residents were allowed visitors outside on their patio in the warmer months and family members found creative ways of seeing their loved ones without physically being with them. While this sounds strict, the Manor had not a single case of COVID-19, whereas many other assisted living facilities in the state suffered at the hands of the virus.

However, as of Friday, March 12, the visitor restriction has been lifted and Meadowlark Manor's doors are open to visitors once again. And their eight residents couldn't be happier they can now come and go as they please.

The excitement was palpable when visiting the first day of reopened doors; Raymond Kennedy was simply itching for his ride to get there. Kennedy, who has been a resident at Meadowlark Manor for two years, hadn't left the facility at all during the shutdown; being too healthy was his downfall as he had no doctor's appointments to take him beyond the premises. But with those days long gone, he was ecstatic for his ride to arrive and take him to Lima, where before COVID-19 he traveled regularly.

"I'm looking for a good steak, with a bone in it!" Kennedy said when asked what he was most excited about. Prior to lockdown Kennedy enjoyed road trips two to three times weekly, seeing the countryside and getting fresh air. During his lockdown he found no solace in puzzles and games, but enjoyed arguing with the staff, threatening to sneak away and move to Canada, and vocally assisting his neighbors with their puzzles.

"I'm ready to get out of here!" he said with a laugh.

Also affected was Joyce Held, who was pleased to announce she had just gotten her first perm in a year and was delighted to show it off. Held's family and friends, for her 90th birthday, had a drive-by Happy Birthday sing along outside; her family also planned a Zoom call in order to play Bingo together. She said she was excited to be able to see her daughter in a few weeks and get some new people up to the Manor to play pinochle and cribbage. She, also, mentioned that she looks forward to a good steak with a bone in it!

"It broke my heart when we had to lockdown," Velda Bowman, Director of Meadowlark Manor said. "But its exciting to see things starting to get back to normal." Bowman said that she is very proud of her staff as they were very careful during the lockdown, as they could leave the premises to return home.

"The masks were part of it, but we've always sanitized, washed and kept things very clean. We use UV cleaners, we sanitize the furniture, and it has really been a combination of it all," Bowman said.

The Meadowlark residents and staff who wanted to get the vaccine received the Moderna vaccines. All residents and employees were encouraged to get the vaccine; however, the decision was left up to each individual. Mild side effects were experienced by employees and residents who received the vaccine.

Caslen Living Centers, which manages Meadowlark Manor, has a company policy for visitation and will still be requiring staff and visitors to wear masks until further notice. Screening of visitors will still take place, as well as scheduling visitation time. If you have any questions about visitation, please feel free to contact Velda Bowman at 406-287-5539.

 

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