Helping senior veterans during the coronavirus crisis

Helping senior veterans during the coronavirus crisis

The virus to 78 as the country grapples with the coronavirus pandemic-- veterans affairs medical facilities and those who serve our senior citizens are doing what they can to fight for and protect those who need it most.

Waay 31 news anchors marie waxel and pat simon take a closer look at what's now in place for our senior veterans here in north alabama and across the state.

The department of veterans affairs is the nation's largest integrated health care system.

Roughly half of our veterans are over 65-- and many have underlying health conditions that could make them more vulnerable.

Which is why top officials in the birmingham v-a health care system are taking all the necessary precautions when it comes to protecting the general public and those at a higher risk.

Like other hospitals across the state-- the birmingham va hospital and the 9 community outpatient clinics including the one here in huntsville have changed their daily operations.

They've suspended all elective surgeries and procedures.

All patients and staff will be screened at upon entering the facility.

It's a uniform screening process which includes temperature checks and a quick q & a.

Shuttles to and from the facility are limiting pasengers to 50 percent.

And the system has stopped volunteers from coming in, especially since most of the volunteers are senior citizens and at a higher risk themselves.

I talked with the birmingham system director and her chief of staff via facetime.

They ensured me patients are still being seen at their scheduled appointments.

But it's vital that you don't show up to their facilities if you are experiencing any form of flu- like symptoms. "the good news is it's not a death sentence, the vast majority of people are just going to be as sick as they would if they had a bad cold or some type of mild or moderate flu that they treat at home, only 20% of people get sick enough to require to come to the hospital so i think that's important to remember."

If you do have concerns, the v-a system is also offering tele-communication options, so you can call the facility directly or use their video app to get guidance for any concerns you may have regarding your health.

It's hard to imagine not being able to personally visit someone who is being cared for at long term hospitals - including the state four va homes?

But that's our new reality these days as only medical personnel are allowed inside.

But there are a few rare exceptions for patient visitations.

Still - its beginning to take a toll on some family members.

.

Like clockwork "i go every day and feed him" for the last four years - mary rice has spent her lunchtime visiting her husband of 68 years - kenneth mary rice - spouse of patient "listening to gospel music and things like that."

-here at the tut fann state veterans home.

But now that public access has been restricted to this facility - and other longterm care homes across the state to protect against the coronavirus - mary's visits have been cut off.

Only medical personnel are allowed.

And that's understandable.

Administrators like scott hurst say they know the power of that personal connection - and they are doing everything they can to keep communication going between people like mary and kenneth - through skype or phone conversations.

Scott hurst - regional vp hmr of alabama " it's a very stressful time when you have someone you care so much about and you're unable to go see about them."

.its worse for mary because kenneth has alzheimers - and he cant even talk.

The best she can expect is a phone call from medical staff on his condition.

Mary rice.

"my days are long.

I can't see him but they are so nice.

They give me an update on him.

But it's still not like seeing him."

Not at all.

- but i found out that there is such a thing as compassion visits.

They are unique for patients like kenneth.

But a visitor has to undergo screenings for protection.

Thats good enough for mary.

"i will look into it.

Pat: and i hope that your able to reconnect with him.

Mary: i do too and i appreciate telling me that i have not hear of it."

For others - the advice is just to hang in there and follow the facility's new protocol for patient visits to longterm care homes "together we're gonna get through this.

And make sure that everybody is safe on the backside of it."

David hurst says he will reach out to mary to see how they can arrange special and safe visits with kenneth.

.

For the latest information on patient visitor restrictions, current polices in place at your local v-a facility, you can find these stories online right now at waay t-v dot com and on our waay 31 news