Pandemic-related shutdowns have, for some, cut off the outside world. For those with special needs living in supported housing, the removal of social routines has forced their micro-community – the household – to draw closer together.
Kelly Ellis, a personal support worker for E3 Community Services, works in a group home where five supported individuals live full time. She has been assigned exclusively to a home on Centre Street in Stayner for the pandemic.
“They have been basically in their houses since March,” said Ellis. “Some of them not understanding why they can’t see their friends, why they can’t go to the programs they always did.”
In the home where Ellis works, there are five supported individuals ranging in age from 52 to 75 years old. All of them have a combination of a physical and mental disability. Part of her role is supporting them through daily tasks from banking to cleaning to hygiene.
“It’s been difficult,” said Ellis, an E3 support worker for 13 years. “When we first started all of this, there was sort of an excitement, thinking of interesting things all the time.”
Staff at each of the houses organized things like Hawaiian days, or Cinco de Mayo celebrations and video called each of the houses so they could all show off their decorations and participate in the celebrations together.
“As time progresses, it becomes more difficult, and harder for people to say, ‘ok, I have to stay inside,’” said Ellis.
Though things are now reopening, and the residents at the house can see their favourite shops welcoming visitors again, the rules for the group home will be slow to relax.
“Our guys and gals are not going to participate given where they live and the vulnerabilities they have,” said Ellis, noting E3 has started a driveway visiting program with physical distancing in place. Visitors must also wear masks and have a negative result from a COVID-19 test.
“Some of our clients at times don’t understand why they can’t just go up and give a loved one a huge and a kiss because that’s just what they do,” she said.
Many of the day programs that were part of the routines of those living in the group home have been cancelled.
Some residents had jobs they have not been allowed to return to. Jobs that brought joy and fulfillment for them.
“Even though employment is coming back, it doesn’t mean those jobs are coming back…given the situation and what they need to keep safe,” said Ellis. “Life has changed…it would be the same as everybody else who lost employment in the community, except they don’t necessarily have the understanding as to why they can’t go back to work.”
The responsibility to explain, distract, and engage the residents of each of the 13 supported residences run by E3 in Collingwood, Stayner, and Wasaga Beach, has rested with the support workers who staff the houses 24/7.
“E3 has an amazing team of people and we’ve strived hard to keep residents, first of all, happy and safe, and also keep them as entertained as possible, so they are joyful and happy,” said Ellis.
In addition to the theme days and special celebrations, technology has played a significant role in supporting residents as their worlds have gone through drastic changes.
For Hawaiian day in June all 13 houses participated by decorating and creating a menu for the occasion.
At Ellis’ house, one whole wall in the kitchen had a giant palm tree created by a staff member hung on it. Residents video called the other houses and were able to see what they had done to celebrate.
“They were able to talk to their friends…it was a really terrific day,” said Ellis. “A big thing for us has been technology, and thankfully we’ve got it.”
She noted it’s been a bit of a learning curve as a 61-year-old woman without natural tech savvy.
One of the men she supports loved going to church on Sunday, so she helped him watch the livestream each Sunday morning from home. The same man also attends day away program and is now playing bingo via video call.
“Each house finds different ways based on what needs they have,” said Ellis. “Not each of us has all the answers to everything, we’re there for each other … we have all come together as a good team to help each other through all of this.”
In herself, she has noticed growth in her own skills as a PSW. She feels more in tune with her supported individuals. And it has reinforced her believe in the importance of humour.
“To keep people laughing and positive, we really need to strive to do that, I think,” she said. “We’ve learned a lot about ourselves and how to better the lives of the people that we work with … We spend time thinking about what our guys and gals would enjoy.”
E3 also offers support to individuals who are living independently with cognitive disabilities.
Katie Macham works in supported independent living for E3, and her job pre-pandemic involved a lot of in-person visits.
Since the pandemic, those visits have been changed to phone calls or video chats.
“E3 is ahead in terms of accessing technology, it’s been really great to see them hop on board with how we support people virtually,” said Macham.
The switch still came with a learning curve as she figured out how to help someone cook a recipe while on a video call switching camera views so she could check the oven temperature and also chat with the person she was supporting.
“I’m still maintaining that relationship,” said Macham.
She’s grateful for video call technology, and said it is important to be able to see “body language” and “uncommunicated communications” when supporting someone.
She said many of the people she supports are younger and familiar with communication technology and social media. They are independent and still going out into the community, so part of Macham’s job has been educating them on the risks of COVID-19 and awareness around prevention guidelines.
“The biggest thing I’ve taken away from this is the people we support are a lot more independent than we’ve given them credit for,” said Macham. “Sometimes agencies and staff can over support and not allow growth … They’ve stepped up and shown us they’re much more capable of handling their day to day.”
As Stage 3 reopening progresses, E3 is expanding its visitor allowances at the supported living residences and is considering safe activities in the community.
Many of the people who live in the homes are vulnerable population, and especially susceptible to the serious effects of COVID-19.
In the meantime, Ellis noted the community has done “an amazing job” at showing its support for the individuals living in group homes in the area.
“I think people have become more aware of what E3 is all about, and the kinds of challenges some of our individuals face as well as the abilities they do have and they can share and better our communities with,” said Ellis. “I would just like people to continue with their open mind with the people we serve. It hasn’t always been the case … we all have skills and ideas and things we can contribute to our area and society regardless of our challenges in life.”
You can learn more about E3 Community Services, including donations and volunteer opportunities, on their website.
