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Castor Paintearth Lodge residents being well looked after despite lockdown at facility

There have been some procedure changes for staff members as well
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By Kevin J. Sabo

For the Advance

The staff of Castor’s Paintearth Lodge are doing what they can to protect the residents and fight an “invisible enemy.”

Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures, which is why Castor’s Paintearth Lodge is into their second week of a full lock-down.

Initially, when the scope of the pandemic was becoming known Paintearth Lodge management closed the building to visitors to prevent the potential spread of the illness to residents of the facility.

A full lock-down of the facility, not allowing residents to leave, came a few days later.

“It’s been 10 days since we stopped residents from leaving,” said Paintearth Lodge Manager Trudy Kilner.

“This is for their safety. We don’t know what we’re fighting, it’s an invisible enemy.”

Aside from residents being unable to leave or accept visitors, there has been some procedure changes for staff members as well.

All access to the facility for staff has been consolidated through the back door, and immediately upon entering temperatures are taken and a questionnaire is filled out, to which every answer must be no.

If a staff member answers yes to any of the questions, they are not allowed entry to the facility. Even the facility grocery orders are left outside, with the staff bringing them in when they are delivered.

“There is really no outside contact, or very little,” said Kilner.

In addition to the restrictions on entry to the facility, cleaning procedures have been changed as well, with all doorknobs, handrails, and tables being disinfected with bleach at least every eight hours.

Finally, the dining area has been reorganized so that only two residents are at a table, with ample room between tables.

“The residents are okay. They really are,” said Kilner.

“So many say that they feel safe. And Brenda Kneller is doing an outstanding job with the activities, keeping them busy.”

Activities going on for the residents of the lodge include board bingo, Bible studies, church, watching movies, and speaking to their families via Facetime on a facility-owned tablet.

The hope is that when the weather gets better those activities can be supplemented by getting outside and getting some fresh air.

“They are strong people,” said Kilner.

“And the staff is excellent. I don’t know what other word to use. They are giving everything they can, plus. They amaze me.”