Concerns of Covid-19 cases at Columbus Colony Elderly Care
A nursing home facility in Ohio with about 100 deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing residents, the Columbus Colony for Elderly Care (CCEC), has been hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic.
At least 60 residents and 26 staff have tested positive for the coronavirus and a number has passed away, but the exact number of deaths is uncertain. This is from an email from CCEC and their management company United Church Homes.
Before I go into this story, I want to give some context. Residents and staff in nursing homes across the U.S. has been especially hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic. The federal government said at the beginning of June that almost 26,000 nursing home residents nationwide have died. NBC News said the number is likely closer to 40,000. That would them account for almost half of all deaths in the U.S.
The CCEC was established by the Ohio School for the Deaf Alumni Association (OSDAA). The OSDAA has a long history of providing services to elderly deaf individuals that goes back to 1896.
“The Daily Moth” has been in contact with a Deaf man, Willis Cook, who’s mother is a resident. He said his mother contracted the coronavirus. He took the time to go to the facility and shared his thoughts.
WILLIS COOK:
I want to share this. The CCH and CCEC really needs help and support. I’m just one person. My do visit my mother to provide care. I can’t help all of them, there’s so many.
Here is my mother. She has the coronavirus. My mother is 93. She has been sick for a long time.
CCEC really needs help with masks, gowns, face coverings, and protective equipment for the coronavirus. When I visit my mother and talk through the window, I can see a female caretaker wearing the same mask every time. I asked why and she said they were limited and had to wear the same mask for a week and then replace it. I was very concerned because of germs. There needs to be improvements with ASL access. There are some who can sign, but more is needed. There are many deaf residents so they all need access to communication.
THE DAILY MOTH:
I had an interview with another individual who has family ties with a residents at the facility. The person expressed similar concerns about measures in place to stop the spread of Covid-19 and about the lack of ASL communication between staff and residents. They said there were ASL interpreters, but they said there were not enough of them.
I reached out to both the UHC (the management company for CCEC) and the OSDAA for comment.
The UHC sent me a letter. I will show you some quotes, but if you’d like to read the full text, it is available below the transcript.
"Columbus Colony For Elderly Care currently is home to approximately 100 hard of hearing and hearing residents, and employs around 200 full and part-time staff. Among them, there is an interpreter's group to facilitate effective communication between residents, staff and healthcare practitioners. In addition, many staff members are fluent in ASL…"
“"(We have) comprehensive measures in place to manage infection control and reduce the risk of COVID-19 to our residents and staff... Despite these measures, we had several positive cases in early May... In total, 60 residents and 26 staff members at (CCEC) tested positive for COVID-19. Nearly all of them have been asymptomatic.”
"(We) were equipped with personal protective equipment from the State of Ohio and from our own management company resources. At all times, staff and residents were provided with appropriate PPE.
(We) welcome donations of homemade masks as well as monetary donations to support our needs for supplies and to enrich our activity and community life programs for residents."
I was able to chat with a representative from OSDAA who preferred to not be named but be identified as “OSDAA representative.”
They said they are aware that there are issues with not enough staff being fluent in ASL. They said they are trying their best to hire more deaf or ASL-fluent staff, but it’s challenging because there are not enough people applying for those jobs. They said they are still into their first year of their contact with UHC and that they are very hopeful there will be positive changes because their previous care provider did not meet the standards of care they wanted to see. They said they are accepting donations for masks. They encouraged alumni members of the OSD and others in the community to come to their meetings and share their voices and to continue to push for change. So, this is what I can share on what is happening at CCEC.
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I want to close this story with a message from Cook.
COOK: When I visited my mother’s room and the adjacent rooms and ask how other residents are doing, I see that many are lonely. They ask about where their son is. They ask where their children are. I tell them that they might be busy and working. They said, “okay” and just stay patient. I try my best to support them. You can visit and talk through the window. Communication is easy. Those in nursing homes are very lonely. You can go there once a week to make them feel good and become stronger. They are always waiting and waiting. Some wait for years and then pass away. One after the other. Please think about your family. Your parents or your grandparents. It’s so important. They have a short time left, while you have plenty of time. I know you’re busy, but you can take a break, a vacation. You have to make an opportunity with your family.
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FULL TEXT OF LETTER FROM UHC:
June 8, 2020
United Church Homes, the management company for Columbus Colony For Elderly Care, today issued the following statement:
Columbus Colony For Elderly Care currently is home to approximately 100 hard of hearing and hearing residents, and employs around 200 full and part‐time staff. Among them, there is an interpreter’s group to facilitate effective communication between residents, staff and healthcare practitioners. In addition, many staff members are fluent in ASL.
The community has comprehensive measures in place to manage infection control and reduce the risk of COVID‐ 19 to our residents and staff. This includes a restricted visitor policy, mandatory visitor and staff screening whenever someone enters the building, and following all CDC infection control protocols.
Despite these measures, we had several positive cases in early May. After consulting with our Medical Director and state leaders, we decided to test all residents and staff to preemptively control the spread of the virus. In total, 60 residents and 26 staff members at Columbus Colony For Elderly Care tested positive for COVID‐19. Nearly all of them have been asymptomatic. Health officials in Ohio are finding this trend at many nursing homes.
Columbus Colony For Elderly Care took swift action to quarantine positive residents, and they were closely monitored by our medical director and healthcare teams. Staff members who tested positive isolated at home for 10 days, in accordance with CDC guidance.
We are sad to report that some residents who tested positive also passed away. Many of them were in stable condition, with no signs or symptoms of COVID‐19. These events illustrate the serious and unpredictable nature of COVID‐19 which disproportionately affects older adults whose health is already fragile.
Our community is a close‐knit one, and our team is heartbroken and grieving along with the families who have been impacted by the death of loved ones. Due to strict patient privacy laws, we cannot share the number of deaths or specific information about any individual in our community.
Fortunately, most residents who tested positive have recovered and are now out of isolation.
Columbus Colony For Elderly Care was equipped with personal protective equipment (PPE) from the State of Ohio and from our own management company resources. At all times, all staff and residents were provided with appropriate PPE.
Columbus Colony For Elderly Care welcomes donations of homemade masks as well as monetary donations to support our needs for supplies and to enrich our activity and community life programs for residents. Donations can be directed to Seth Ghering, Administrator.
Media Contact: Amy Bonacuse, United Church Homes, 740.341.9557