After vaccine, Redding seniors ready for a restart
REDDING — Meadow Ridge retirement community has vaccinated nearly all of its residents and is looking forward to rolling back some restrictions.
Chris Barstein, campus executive director, said 98 percent of residents, not including staff, would be vaccinated by the end of the day Friday. Many are already fully inoculated, but some will get their second dose next week.
“With the positive trends we’re seeing here in Connecticut and throughout the country, we’re hoping for the opportunity to exhale a bit and get back to some semblance of normalcy and for everyone to start enjoying their lives and connecting with
others,” Barstein said.
A “handful” of residents have refused the vaccine, but the facility was planning to move forward with easing restrictions starting Monday, Barstein said. Meadow Ridge waited three weeks after most residents received their shots to ensure the vaccine’s efficacy, he said.
Meadow Ridge will lift visitation restrictions, resume communal activities and reopen dining rooms at 50 percent capacity starting Monday. Those awaiting a second dose were asked to refrain from any communal activities until they are fully protected. Even with fewer restrictions, residents will dine in cohorts and some activities will still happen via electronic platforms.
The easing of restrictions at the retirement community comes as Gov. Ned Lamont has issued an order beginning March 19 to relax some COVID-19 protocol, including capacity limits on restaurants, places of worship, libraries, offices, and some other businesses. Early in the pandemic, the state Department of Public Health put strict restrictions on nursing homes and assisted living facilities, limiting visits and the amount of activity within the buildings as COVID-19 had devastating effects on people, especially those who are older.
Barstein said mitigation strategies, such as hand washing, mask-wearing and social distancing will persist.
“It’s not what we would call back to normal, but it’s going to go back to what we’ll call a new normal,” he said.
Several residents said they are excited and ready to get back to mingling with others after a long waiting period.
Bill Balch, 86
As president of the residents’ board, Bill Balch is looking forward to resuming in-person committee meetings and get members back to “full steam.” Faceto-face meetings and social dining is “the best place to see your friends,” Balch said.
“It’ll be so helpful, especially for those of us living alone . ... It will be just what the doctor ordered for the mental state,” he said.
Jane McCaffrey, 79
Jane McCaffrey is thrilled the majority of her fellow residents will soon be protected from COVID-19. She said she felt “trapped” by restrictions and is ready to see others again.
McCaffrey looks forward to spending time with her daughter again, who she hasn’t seen in months, and before the restrictions would often visit for lunch.
“I’ve gotten very used to eating alone,” McCaffrey said. “I’m looking forward to eating with others.”
Dick Swank, 89
Dick Swank feels “positive” about restarting his social life and the community’s “strong commitment”
to everyone’s safety.
Swank is most excited to “comingle” again, and with an upcoming birthday in April, he looks forward to maybe even having a birthday party.
James “Jim” Bacon, 89
Jim Bacon thinks his fellow residents and the Meadow Ridge staff did a “splendid job” protecting each other and preparing for a moment that is now just days away.
“It gives us a sense of feeling somewhat more secure,” he said. “I think all of us are looking forward to seeing each other in a more normal environment.”