THE VIRGINIA HOME Annual Report 2020 A MESSAGE TO OUR FRIENDS “I am proud that I first walked through the front door of The Virginia Home nearly 40 years ago to interview I leave knowing for a summer internship. I knew very little about The Home, but quickly learned that this place was unlike any nursing home I had ever seen. The first person I met was a resident The Home is in very named Roy Donovan — he is still a resident today. The residents were young, active and good hands and obviously not approaching the end of their lives. They were “living their lives to the fullest.” that the mission is Fast forward to May of 1982. I returned to The Home as a full time member of the staff. still viable and being The position of assistant administrator was created and offered to me. My plans leading up to that time were to return to my northern roots and continue my education. But, by achieved.” that time I had developed a real affection for The Home and decided to accept the position and delay my return north. Today, I contemplate my retirement at the end of 2021 after – Bob Crouse nearly four decades. Isn’t it funny how plans change? Today’s Virginia Home looks very different from The Virginia Home I was introduced to so many years ago. And the residents who live here have changed a great deal too. In the early 1980’s there was little support available for someone with a disability who wanted to remain living in their own home. Without family and friends who could help with care and mobility it was a difficult challenge. Consequently, we had many residents who lived at The Home solely because they lacked the support to live independently. Some needed only minimal help to perform activities of daily living. Many could propel a manual wheelchair and a few could walk. The mission of The Virginia Home was to provide that assistance which would enable our residents to live a meaningful life. Beginning in the mid 1980’s things began to change for people who were physically challenged. Funding became available for home health care, wheelchairs became more technologically advanced, and with the 1990 passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the world for many became much more accessible. People who once would have viewed The Home as the likely answer to living with a disability now had options. Consequently, those who applied for and ultimately accepted admission to The Home had much greater needs and limitations than any previous residents. That trend has continued to today. And so, our approach to care has evolved from a relatively custodial model to one that seeks to address the needs of each individual and offer solutions that allow residents to live life to the fullest within and outside our Virginia Home community. Through the addition of new and improved facilities, important clinical services and access to the best care givers possible, today’s residents have the opportunity Top: Lynn and Bob Crouse celebrate The Virginia Home’s 100th Anniversary at the home of Mr. and Mrs. T. Fleetwood Garner in 1994. Left: Bob Crouse and William Coleman with Tricia Bonnes on the occasion of her retirement as Director of Restorative Services. THE VIRGINIA HOME to overcome many of the obstacles that would otherwise OUR MISSION prevent a fulfilling life. For my friend Roy and others like him, the world is much larger than it was 40 years ago. Throughout its history, The Virginia Home has had the good fortune to be served by a wonderfully talented and creative staff and a generous and caring Board. But, there is one The Virginia Home more group I haven’t yet mentioned. None of the things that make The Home what it is would be possible without the generous support of our donors and volunteers. Whether provides compassionate it was to build a multi-purpose facility, expand our facilities, support our annual Stories of Courage & Grace event or to provide annual support, the lives of our residents without and professional residential your support would be very different. I’ve marveled over the years just what a generous community we have and how lucky we are to be a part of it. care to adult Virginians We will never forget the year 2020. The idea that something like the COVID-19 Pandemic would ever occur and have with irreversible physical such a profound effect on not just The Virginia Home, but the entire world still seems fictional. Of course it wasn’t. But, for all the havoc the pandemic caused, the response disabilities, ensuring that to it brought out the best in so many. All of our employees bravely worked in the trenches during two very significant outbreaks. With little complaint everyone came together their lifelong comfort to help our residents stay well, stay connected and stay positive. Our Board, often remotely, continued to provide the moral and financial support necessary to persevere. and security will never be And you, our supporters, doubled down on your efforts to see that we had all that we needed. In addition to your monetary support, so many provided donations of masks, compromised, regardless gowns, gloves and other PPE and helped connect us to networks of others who could help. of ability to pay. My appreciation for our Board members, staff, volunteers and donors has only become greater during this trying year. And my admiration for the resiliency of our residents is through the roof! As I wind down a very rewarding career, I am grateful to all of you. I am proud that I leave knowing The Virginia Home is in very good hands and that the mission is still viable and being achieved. On the cover: Robert A. Crouse, Trey Bollinger was more than ready to “ring out the old President & CEO and ring in the new” on New Year’s Eve 2020. ANNUAL REPORT 2020 1 THE PANDEMIC YEAR IN REVIEW The New Year Begins Wow, were we misled. The year began with so much promise. Residents were busy with all kinds of activities and adventures, including indoor rock-climbing and preparing for the second year of EPIC (Empowering People in Communities). A trip to Disney in February went off without a hitch, and staff was finalizing the seating chart for our 10th Annual Stories of Courage & Grace. And then in March things began to unravel. The COVID-19 virus reached Virginia and brought everything to a halt. In order to plan for residents’ safety, The Home was closed to families, friends and volunteers and residents were restricted to their rooms. Above: Jonathan Strother and Pluto were caught hamming it up at Disney in February. Right column, top to bottom: Otto Critz tries rock-climbing with our Adventure Seekers group in February. | Kaleigh Cravens sends a “socially distanced” message to family and friends. | The Virginia Home posted signs of encouragement throughout the building. | Frank Smith settled in with a book during the quarantine. 2 THE VIRGINIA HOME Spring/Summer As the world was learning how to combat the virus, our staff was gleaning the best advice from national and state guidelines. Acquiring the proper equipment — masks, gloves, gowns, sanitizer — became a priority. Amid tight supply we innovated, sometimes making our own PPE. In early April, twelve residents and three staff members tested positive. Great leadership and teamwork prevailed as The Home adopted protocols to curb the spread of infection. Having regained control we were able to implement “through the glass visits” to help reunite residents and their families in a small way. Above: Music Therapist Lily Bowers became our very own “Traveling Troubadour” as she visited residents room by room. Left column, top to bottom: Katelyn Ryder visited with family in a “through the glass” visit. | The Virginia National Guard set up to complete their first of two facility-wide COVID-19 testings. | Mike Betts receives instruction for proper N95 mask fitting from Nurse Manager Suzanne Cure. | Jackie Baylor and Sara Jarrett display their mask-making skills. ANNUAL REPORT 2020 3 THE PANDEMIC YEAR IN REVIEW Autumn While strict regulatory controls remained in place, staff members looked for creative ways to engage the residents. Modified versions of Fall Festival and Halloween allowed residents to enjoy traditional events. But the hard work of keeping residents safe continued, and the unprecedented stress was wearing on staff members, residents and family members. Teamwork, compassion and persistence prevailed in the face of huge challenges. Above: Employee Appreciation Day with members of our crucial Nutrition Services team. Left to right: Diamond Garland, Lynn Crouse, Shontelle Taylor, Stacy Jones (Community Integration), Rebecca Whitaker and Karen Dixon. Dorshelle Mayo (kneeling). Right column, top to bottom: Janet Dinkle was grateful to finally visit with beautician Claudine Smith. | Sonny Miller enjoys a moment of outdoor respite. | Randy Holland visited with family through the glass. | Recreation Therapy staff made sure residents could enjoy a few thrills and chills on Halloween. 4 THE VIRGINIA HOME The Year Comes to a Close Holidays at The Home are special. This year the pandemic made it impossible to celebrate in normal ways. Because residents were restricted to floors and rooms, staff members did all they could to take the celebrations to the residents. Volunteers and private support made sure each resident received gifts and goodies. The garden was transformed into a winter wonderland. "Through the glass" visits continued — a patio heater made these more bearable as temperatures dropped. And as the year ended, the arrival of vaccines was once again providing hope for the future.