Superior graduate sees first-hand the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on elderly

Depression and isolation can often go hand-in-hand. That is an unfortunate correlation Sammi Rae Francis is seeing more and more in her nursing home residents each day the COVID-19 pandemic continues.

“A lot of them are sad and have no ambition to even get dressed in the morning. They don’t have anything to look forward to. It breaks my heart,” Francis said. A 2017 Superior graduate, Francis works as a certified nurses assistant at Auberge Assisted Living in Missoula.

Close to 100 residents live at Auberge, where they enjoy things like book club, bingo games, and baking cookies to deliver to homeless shelters and the county jail.

Outings to favorite restaurants, the local Wal-Mart, or even just a spin around Missoula were always easy options for entertainment and recreation.

All of that has been suspended now as state and local efforts clamp down to prevent the spread of the novel Coronavirus, especially to those at highest risk.

“Since the outbreak, a lot has changed,” Francis said. “The assisted living facility is on complete lockdown. This means absolutely no visitors can come in the building. The dining area is closed so residents must eat in their rooms, which means losing even more social interaction. Their food is delivered in Styrofoam boxes. Social distancing is applied and they try to keep residents six feet apart.

“Another thing that is difficult is trying to explain to our dementia patients why they need to stay in their room or why they can’t go outside or sit in the dining room. They don’t understand and they get frustrated,” she said.

Before the pandemic, Francis started work at 6 a.m. and her shift normally ended by 2 p.m.. During these unique and trying times many of her regular eight-hour days turn into 12-16 hour days.

Francis wears many hats, whether she is working on the floor as an overall caregiver, serving meals, assisting with showering and dressing for the day, and also administers medicine as a medication technician. On any given day she attends to the care plans of 25-50 residents.

Now with extra precautions in place to protect their residents, before work begins staff members take their temperature to make sure there is no symptoms of fever.

“It is super important that good, proper hand hygiene is practiced. We are encouraged to wash our scrubs after every shift and go straight home,” Francis said.

Even under the added stress and longer hours Francis worries most about her residents.

“I think the most difficult part of all of this is the fact that the residents have little to no social interaction,” she said. “Some residents have family who come and sit outside the resident’s window and visit, but no physical contact, not even a hug... it’s sad.”

To brighten spirits Francis said she works hard to remain upbeat.

“I try going in each day with a positive attitude and a smile on my face. I’m always being goofy, dancing around and laughing constantly.”

Although life under the current protective measures is difficult Francis reminded, “I would like to say how absolutely important it is to listen to the president and the governors when they say to stay home and not be out and about.

“Because the ones that it is affecting may not be you, but you can carry it and get my precious residents sick and they will die.”

When it’s all over she added, “I would hope that the caring community attitude of friends and neighbors doesn’t go away when the pandemic ends.”

Francis is currently attending the Missoula College for nursing. Her goal is to become a labor and delivery nurse.

“I want to be in on the miracles of life!” Francis said.

But for now, she will continue to have the honor of working for and serving those in this special season of life.

“I guess when a resident smiles at me while I’m helping them with simple daily tasks, like getting their shoes on or cleaning their glasses,” Francis said. “It’s literally the little things in life that make the world go around.”