Mother’s Day parades in several communities were the most recent example of the unique and creative solutions Continuing Care managers and staff have undertaken to help maintain connections between residents and families during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Visitor restrictions related to COVID-19 put a damper on normal Mother’s Day activities for many families of long term care residents this year, but staff were able to organize outdoor parades for residents in Kelvington, Raymore, Shaunavon and Outlook. Families were encouraged to decorate their vehicles and participate in a drive-by celebration. Local RCMP, fire departments and EMS participated in parades in some communities as well.
“Not only were there fire trucks, but some awesome T-Rexs came back from extinction to boogie along the parade route,” Kelly Tokarchuk, Director Primary Health Care, commented on the parade in Raymore.
A pair of dancing T-Rexs were one of the features in the Mother’s Day parade for long term care residents in Raymore. Similar parades were held in Outlook and Shaunavon as a unique way to keep families connected while being apart.
“Families were overwhelmed with happiness to participate and be able to see their loved ones this way,” said Recreation Coordinator Whittney Greig, who helped organize the event in Outlook. “Residents were thrilled and showed some tears of joy.”