Visiting through calls, windows

    Andrews – Danny Anderson would visit his mom, Annie Juanita Anderson, every day – sometimes twice day – at Valley View Care & Rehabilitation. He’d help her cut her sausages for breakfast, walk down the hall with her and sometimes take her out for a hamburger.
    He’s now one of many family members across the country who for the time being can no longer visit their loved ones living in nursing homes or other residential facilities due to the coronavirus. Although he hasn’t been able to enter the nursing home and visit her since it closed to visitors on March 12, he still calls her every day – and even visits in a different way.
    “I can still get down there and pick on the window,” Anderson said.
    They see each other and talk through the glass – sometimes chatting about the weather, sometimes keeping up with what family members are doing. Sometimes he asks her what’s she’s doing and how she’s doing, as she’s not getting to socialize as often with her friends.
    “She’s not lonely,” Anderson said. “She’s very upbeat about everything and blessed.”
    At times, they talk about the coronavirus. He said she knows why things are the way they are – her mind is still strong – and was even understanding after the staff stopped card games, which she continued to hold in the hall with friends after they could no longer meet in the dining room.
    They explained to her why things have had to change, and she’s chosen to be “a good patient.”
    “She’s optimistic,” Anderson said. “Maybe too optimistic about when it will go away.”
    He said she hears bits and pieces on the news, and will say everything will be open soon. He explains it may not be so soon for her because of her age.
    Because Andrews is a small town, Anderson heard about the resident who tested positive for COVID-19 before Chandross could reach him. He was a little anxious, but Chandross – clearly, seriously and reassuringly – explained everything to him.
    “I felt better after talking to Mark,” he said.
    Anderson then called his mother and explained everything to her. He told her she had nothing to fear.
    Having seen how hard the staff works and cares in normal times, he wasn’t surprised to learn everyone else tested negative.
    “It shows what a good job they’re doing,” Anderson said. “I’m not worried about my mom.”
    He said she also knows she’s being well taken care of at Valley View.
    “They are really good to her down there,” Anderson said. “Mark (Chandross, the administrator) is terrific. They’re all that way. They really make you feel special.”
    He knows what he’ll do as soon as he hears restrictions are lifted in the home and he can visit.
    “I’ll probably ask her if she wants to go out,” Anderson said. “And I’ll take her out for the day. Let her enjoy the day until she’s ready to come back.
    “I wouldn’t want her anywhere else. We couldn’t ask for a better place for her to be.”