MILFORD, Del - Efforts to vaccinate those working and living in long-term care facilities have made it to a group of Delawareans who once also committed to battling national concerns on the front lines. Wednesday, 130 COVID-19 vaccines were administered to the residents and staff of the Delaware Veterans Home.
Partnering with the state and the CDC, Walgreens pharmacists carried out the inoculations. Seeing the vaccine as a light at the end of the tunnel, Activity Therapist, Tammy Davis, was eager to be the first staff member in line.
"I was ready to go," said Davis. "I wanna get these guys back with their families". She continued sharing her experiences working to lift the spirits of the home's residents through this particularly challenging time. “You’ve got to explain to the residents daily why their family member can’t come in the building. You have to comfort the family because they want to touch and hold their family members, and it’s just been so hard," she said.
According to faculty members, the Delaware Veterans Home saw significant interest in getting vaccinated with over 90% of residents consenting to receiving the shot. Carol Erhart, Administrator of the nursing home, says families longing to be reunited could be the reason. "Our families are very involved here at the Veterans Home and are committed to doing whatever they can", said the Administrator. Erhart explained that seeing the vaccination process as as step to reuniting loved ones has encouraged many to get on board. "They have not been able to be hugged by their children, their wife since March of this year, and that takes a toll - especially on our elderly.”
Georgetown's SUN Behavioral Health Center also took part in a vaccine distribution on Wednesday among the building's employees. Staffers feel that with the treatment center currently at capacity, the arrival of the vaccine provides a sense of security.
The Delaware Veterans Home says it is too soon to tell when in-person visitation can resume, but that in making that decision safety is the priority. Those sentiments are shared by SUN Behavioral as staffers say a return to traditional care and practices will become more likely as more community members get vaccinated.
