The Brookhouse Home was featured this week in Gannett Company, Inc.’s regional newspapers which include the Salem Gazette, the Medford Transcript and many others. The article, written by correspondent Lara Salahi addressed how seniors are feeling isolated during the holidays as we enter a difficult time with the Covid-19 pandemic and its risk to seniors. There is no question that Thanksgiving at the Brookhouse Home will be difficult for our residents. Brookhouse Home administrator Judy Kane spoke about how Thanksgiving this year will be difficult but said, that “we remain grateful that we are all healthy and covid-free.”
Although residents at the Brookhouse Home will not be allowed to leave for the holidays, the staff is planning socially distanced dinners and activities.
“It’s been extremely difficult,” administrator Judy Kane told the Salem Gazette recently. “Our residents have not left our grounds, except for critical appointments, for almost nine months.”
Judy Kane explained that many of their residents were accustomed to regular visits.
Brookhouse Home resident Norma Sawyer, 78, whose has been a resident at the Brookhouse Home for four years, told the newspaper that she is among those who will forgo gathering with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren this year.
“Sometimes I get a little sad,” Sawyer said. “It’s difficult.”
A limited number of visitors will be permitted on the days before and after the designated holiday, said Kane. And, Sawyer said, her children will be among them.
“A lot of staff will be coming in, which doesn’t typically happen, but we’re their family these days,” said Kane. “We are committed to making the holidays special for them.”
