NEENAH (NBC26) — The COVID-19 vaccine has allowed a Northeast Wisconsin senior care center to ease some restrictions in place during the pandemic.
Residents and staff of long-term care facilities in Wisconsin have been eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine since January.
The vaccination process is finished at Valley VNA Senior Care in Neenah, a facility that provides in-home care, independent and assistant living options.
Theresa Pichelmeyer, president & CEO of Valley VNA, said nearly all residents have received both doses of the Pfizer vaccine and about 70 percent of staff have completed the series.
“It’s a protection for our staff and our residents, of course, hopefully from getting very sick," Pichelmeyer said. "It certainly has stopped or curtailed staff not being able to come in because of quarantine, or our residents being quarantined in their room. You know, the dreaded quarantine. So that has been a huge change and a benefit for all of us.”
John Hovie, a resident at Valley VNA, is now fully vaccinated for COVID-19.
“It feels good. I had no reaction whatsoever," Hovie said.
Loosened visitor restrictions is another positive to the majority of people at the senior care center being vaccinated.
At the height of pandemic, residents could only have virtual visits with friends and family. As coronavirus cases decreased, they were allowed limited, 45 minute visits in designated areas of the facility that included face coverings, social distancing and plexiglass barriers.
Since getting shots into arms, Valley VNA has moved to "essential visits." Residents can pick one or two people that can visit on a regular schedule in their rooms or houses. These visits can last for several hours. Mask wearing and social distancing is still encouraged.
“It has really gone a long way to getting families back together," Pichelmeyer said.
Hovie said his son and daughter-in-law are his two regular visitors. He said he enjoys seeing them in-person and looking at photos of his great grandchildren.
That socialization between family and other residents is something Hovie said he's missed.
“When this pandemic started out and they kind of locked us down, it felt different. It was different not being able to talk to somebody else and being with a group. But it was for our own safety," Hovie said. “I feel good about having the vaccine. Up at my age, getting the COVID-19 wouldn’t be very nice.”
Valley VNA has also picked up some group crafting activities with social distancing and face coverings still in place.
Pichelmeyer said warmer weather will also allow more expanded visits to take place outside, adding steps to an eventual return to normalcy.
“I think as we slowly move on, and if things don’t get bad again, we’ll get there," Pichelmeyer said.
