Pleasant View Lodge allowing essential visitors only

Posted on March 27, 2020 by 40 Mile Commentator

By Justin Seward

Commentator/Courier

In wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Bow Island’s Pleasant View Lodge seniors home is only allowing ‘restricted’ visitors during these uncertain times.

“Our residents at Pleasant View Lodge are at extreme risk and effective immediately to the pandemic, we are restricting visitors to essential visitors only. That would be like doctors, nurses, EMTs,”said Karen Waldbauer, administrator at the Lodge.

With the residents not being able to have a physical visit with family, Waldbauer says they are encouraged to phone each other and there is a grocery drop off in the entry way.

“Our door is locked and they ring door bell and we deliver the groceries to people who are wanting (them),” she said.

Staff is doing the extra activities.

“Staff (is) doing it instead of outdoor people coming in,” said Waldbauer.

“For instance, bingo, church etc. Our staff is willing to go above and beyond to keep our residents safe and to keep them as much as we can, busy.”

The Lodge had a meeting with its residence and their feeling is they don’t want to go anywhere and appreciate staff not letting people in.

“Family members agreed they don’t want to put their parents at risk and of course seniors are some of the most vulnerable,” she said.

Meals and snacks are still going on in the Lodge too.

There have been no cases among staff, Waldbauer confirmed.

Waldbauer said with staff “we’re all very positive and staff has assured me that they are trying to stay out of contact with many people as they can so that they are able to continue to work here.”