Parents got good care through COVID-19 scare

To the Editor,

It was about three years ago this month that my brother and sisters had to have the conversation with our parents about living in their home or maybe considering moving to a retirement home. Neither mom nor dad liked the idea and they had preconceived vision of what it would be like. I had looked around the area and came across Chartwell Retirement Residence in Elmira. mom and dad came for a tour and lunch and within a week told us they were ready. It was great news to know that our parents would have a safe place to live with access to assistance and care should they need it.

The transition from their own home to what I would call a bachelor apartment went well. Mom enjoys the reminiscing, gardening and exercising activities; Dad enjoys the workshop where they take apart discarded items for recycling, reuse and garbage. Our parents enjoy Friday night bingo and who wouldn’t like not having to cook, clean or do laundry ever again.

Fast forward to January 2021, I received a call that my dad had fallen in the common area. Upon my arrival the staff said he had no major injuries but was sore and not feeling well. Twenty-four hours later it was announced that a few residents had tested positive for COVID-19 and that all residents and staff would be tested. It was three days later, a Tuesday night at 5 p.m., that I got the call and was told that the results came back, and both my parents were positive for COVID-19. After the shock, I booked a test of my own, which came back negative.

The first two weeks were insane, the numbers increasing every few days in both residents and staff, mom and dad both sick and fighting the virus. Even with the help of replacement staff, I was still needing to assist with care for my parents several hours a day. My mom would sleep or lay in bed for the better part of 20 hours a day for almost 12 days. The body aches, the headaches, loss of appetite, loss of smell, loss of taste all common symptoms of COVID-19. Chartwell staff, doctors, nurses, and PSWs all worked incredible hours to care for those infected, stop the spread, and protect those not infected.

Friday, February 12 the outbreak was declared over. In the end 22 staff and 43 residents caught the invisible virus; sadly seven of those residents are now deceased as a result of the infection.

I would like to thank Chartwell Retirement Residence staff, those who arrived from other locations, those who came from public health and those who came from out-of-town and lived-in hotels. The four weeks were hell, you did your absolute best while putting yourself and your health on the line for my parents and all the residents. You are all heroes.

To the person or persons who brought COVID-19 into Chartwell Retirement Residence, shame on you.

Robert Hutchison