Westview has 6 homes in total with 4 residents living at each home. The staffing patterns typically consist of two workers from 7:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. and one awake overnight. The homes tend to be fairly active with trying to do outings and activities such as ball games, bowling, going for drives, etc.

When the CDC and Department of Health set out instructions for individuals to not go anywhere if they don’t have to, residents who were working were pulled back from work and remained in their home. Activities that the workers typically brought people to were pulled back as well. Consequently, there ended up being a sense of fear from the residents. Many of them watch the news and that seemed to be all they were seeing and hearing. There was some increased frustration with some residents as they were unable to do the things they typically do, particularly as these delays went on for so long.

When a home needed to quarantine, it tended to feel like a crazy two weeks. Each time a staff member needed to quarantine or residents ended up positive, there were a core group of staff members who tended to pull together to ensure coverage was provided. While they saw some staff members leave when the $600 unemployment went into effect and people felt they could remain at home and be safe while getting paid. There were attempts made to ensure that sanitizing and safety protocols were in place to minimize risk, but when staff chose to participate in non-work activities that were outside of their work schedule which presented risks, this created a greater burden. Supervisors reminded them to keep the individuals they support in mind when they choose to do certain activities. Individual texts would get sent out to provide those reminders as well. If traveling, quarantining for 3 days (unpaid) and negative COVID test were required.

There was some concern of decompensation that was noticed in residents. Some remained fearful to the point where there was concern noted that some may be developing agoraphobia. Many residents did in fact choose to get vaccinated with only one declining. They are hopeful to get back to normal for the majority, but there remain a handful of individuals who will require work and time to get back to where they were at prior to COVID. There are some concerns that pressures will occur from social workers to work on goals where some individuals will simply need time to slowly acclimate back into society again. Some residents really struggled with the mask wearing by staff members. They were unable to recognize the staff members and this frightened them. Many staff members learned that they would need to greet the resident with their mask pulled down so the resident could identify them prior to beginning their work day. 

There are some things that were identified during this that go against the work that has tried to be done. One of those is having a person centered organization. They’ve worked hard to keep people’s choices in mind, but in the last year found them minimizing these choices and at times telling someone no, they couldn’t do something. The other concern is that staff have lost confidence in making decisions as this time has created some uncertainty for them in their day to day work and the quick changes that have occurred. The impact on staff can be notable for some. Since there are not as many outings and activities happening, they have found increased down time with some staff members. They anticipate losing some staff members as the work changes because expectations will be higher and the work will inadvertently become busier as they resume activities.
