Still so much to Celebrate

The last 18 months have been filled with adjustments and readjustments, and doing our best to make lemonade with the endless number of lemons being handed to us. We were full of optimism this spring when vaccines protecting against COVID-19 were made available to those who wanted to get vaccinated, and nearly all of Handmaker’s residents did and were. COVID-19 seemed on the retreat. Visitors were back in the building visiting loved ones, residents were eating together, our activity calendar was once again full with group activities, people were starting to travel again, and masks were even starting to come off around town. It seemed that the end of restrictions and fears was in sight. We felt that it was safe to make some plans.

There was some talk of a Delta variant in other countries that was a little worrying, but we decided to remain hopeful that life was returning to normal. Adventure Bus participants returned to the Handmaker campus, along with entertainers and fitness instructors, and we started to have in person Shabbat morning services on Saturday mornings, and Catholic Mass twice a month. We were planning for and looking forward to celebrating the Jewish High Holidays together in person this year, with guests, in Handmaker’s Great Room.

But unfortunately, things did not go exactly as planned. The increase in the Pima County COVID positivity rate, filling hospital beds, and some COVID scares at Handmaker were reminders that we were not quite back to normal. Residents were so happy to celebrate the Jewish New Year with festive meals together in our Great Room, spaced apart, but High Holiday Services were once again virtual this year. So while this is not quite what we had hoped for this year, there is some reason for continued optimism in the face of this latest wave of COVID-19.

Since we know more about we are dealing with, we have some tools to defend ourselves from it, including the fact that nearly all of our residents are fully vaccinated. We also now have more experience in making the adjustments that are necessary to keep our residents safe and sound. Everyone at Handmaker has had their resiliency tested, and most of our residents and staff have become more adaptable and flexible since our first go-around with this virus.

Residents are now familiar with Zoom and FaceTime. Even those with dementia are rarely startled and confused to see the faces of their loves ones on a computer screen, as they were repeatedly with the first wave of COVID. So while video calls are not nearly as satisfying as in-person visits, we are all familiar enough with how it works. And if we do have to have another lockdown, we know that it is just a temporary. That this too shall pass, and loved ones will be visiting in person again.

Interestingly, now that they are accustomed to it, some residents actually prefer Zoom options of classes and Services to participating in person. The group of residents who participate in weekly Torah study had the option of returning to in-person study, but decided that they could hear each other better on Zoom than when they used to meet in the same room! And when we started to offer in-person Shabbat services again, there were some residents who preferred to just ”Zoom” in, or choose from the vast array of other Shabbat Services to participate in from the comfort of their apartments.

While almost all of our residents prefer eating in the dining room and participating in group activities, we unfortunately have had some periods of time over the last 18 months when residents were required to stay in their rooms. Because of our past experience with these lockdown periods, we now have systems in place making it easier for everyone to manage during these times. And if we do have to do it again, we know it will be short term, and hopefully it will be less stressful for all. And then, when restrictions are lifted, everyone will once again appreciate everything about normalcy more. The food tastes better in the dining room, activities are more fun when we do them together, and everyone appreciates their freedom to move around and be with friends and family so much more.

Another reason to be hopeful is that there are more reasons and incentives for people to get vaccinated. There will likely soon be a mandate requiring all staff in nursing homes to be vaccinated. Handmaker has begun weekly vaccine clinics for staff, residents and family of staff and residents, to make it easier and encourage more people to get vaccinated. The Pfizer vaccine now has full FDA approval. As more people get vaccinated, hopefully restrictions will ease, and we can get back to normal. Until then, our resiliency may continue to be tested, but that will not stop us from celebrating as much as we can, including soon enjoying meals together in our Handmaker Sukkah in celebration of Sukkot.

G’mar chatimah tovah. (May you be inscribed in the Book of Life for good.) We are hopeful for a happy and healthy Jewish new year of 5782. And please, let’s not think about Lambda yet.