Safely Breaking Social Distancing

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NORTH CAPE MAY – As a way to show staff appreciation and support residents, Victoria Commons, a senior living facility in North Cape May, held a parade April 22. There were no people lining the streets or convertibles with hand-waving celebrities. This was a parade in the age of COVID-19.
Participants circled the building twice in their vehicles, blowing horns and waving. Some cars were decorated with flags, signs, streamers and balloons. More than 30 cars, trucks, RVs and even a Model A Ford appeared.
Parade-goers watched from behind their closed patio doors, with some staff waving from a safe distance from the cars and each other, observing social distancing.  The emotion was clear, as residents waved and blew kisses and adorned large smiles. There were also staff members waving with tears in their eyes.
“The residents have been looking forward to this,” said Food Service Director Elizabeth Lawson, shivering in the windy, unusually-cold spring weather. “They haven’t been able to have visitors since March 15. For us, it’s a show of love and support.”
Residents of Victoria Commons live in their own apartments and have some autonomy, making daily trips to the supermarket, bank, shops and other activities.
“The drive-by parade is the new thing people are doing since the coronavirus pandemic,” explained Melissa Saltzman, interim executive director, Victoria Commons. “Some of our nursing staff suggested we do it. We have daily meetings for residents via an internet video conference, but this is the only way they can see them in person, so our activities department set it up.”
“We really wanted to recognize the nursing, activities, housekeeping and laundry, dietary, maintenance, and front office departments for their hard work and dedication to the residents,” she added. “They have been nothing short of amazing, and I am so proud of them.”
Saltzman said doing the parade safely was a priority, so participants were asked to make signs and decorate their cars while remaining inside. Residents were inside their residences, while staff were permitted outside if they maintained social distancing.
Victoria Commons has seen only one mild case of COVID-19, while the nearby nursing home, Victoria Manor, has reported over 50 infections between residents and staff. New Jersey has a high number of nursing home infections, with at least one in nearly each of the state’s facilities. 
“The staff here is wonderful. They really care about the residents,” said Pam Halter, daughter of resident Mary Still, who was part of the parade along with her sister, Sandie Seitz, and her niece, Mackenzie Hankins. “Today was important to let them know how we feel.”
Hankins said she has seen her grandmother almost every day for the last six years until March’s forced separation.
“I postponed my May wedding because my grandmother was supposed to be the flower girl. I’m not doing it without her,” Hankins said.
After the parade was over, Lawson pulled her sweater together against the cold and said she had to get back inside.
“I have to get a warm meal ready for the residents.”
To contact Carl Price, email cprice@cmcherald.com.