MARLBORO — If there is one thing that has become clear during the COVID-19 crisis over the last few months, it's that here in Vermont we have a lot to be grateful for in terms of community responses across different populations and situations.
I want to specifically thank, and draw people's attention to the wonderful job the Thompson House Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Brattleboro is doing in the face of this extremely difficult and stressful situation.
We have all been painfully aware of the terrible toll this virus has taken on the elderly, and certainly many nursing homes have sadly been in the news lately for what seems like everything going wrong at great cost of life.
My mother, Marie, is a resident of Thompson House, and of course I was very worried when the Coronavirus came to Vermont. I was already extremely impressed with the care she was receiving at this nursing home over her 2{1/2} years there; the compassion, kindness and respect with which she and the other residents are treated every day _- from the cleaning staff on up to the director -was evident long before COVID-19.
Since this epidemic hit Vermont, Thompson House has done everything it could to deal early and effectively with the rapidly changing situation and thus has kept its residents, including my mother, safe.
There have been no cases of COVID-19 in this facility and, when a staff member reported possible exposure through a family member several weeks ago, the director had the state test every resident and employee the next day, with zero positive results.
The staff deserve a lot of credit for working in a very high-stress environment during a once-in-a-lifetime global health crisis. Each member of the team is acutely aware that they work with the most vulnerable to this virus among us and act accordingly every day, including having to quarantine at home and not see grandchildren and other family members in order to be able to go to work and do their jobs. It can and does take a toll on them.
Please, when you think of those heroes among us, think of these dedicated professionals who care for our most vulnerable citizens and who during this now-three-month lock-down are also filling in as the sons and daughters, grandchildren, and siblings to our loved ones while family members cannot visit.
And please visit the Thompson House website or call the director (802-254-4977) to see how you may be able to help.
Masks and gowns, for example, are needed. Musicians for outside concerts this summer may be solicited. Cards to residents from young people, perhaps. I'm sure there are endless ways you could make a small positive difference.