‘Wonderfully Surreal’: How A Maltese Care Home Is Coping In Lockdown
Shortly after the first cases of COVID-19 were found in Malta, care homes around the island took precautions of closing their doors to visitors, with staff working overtime and even living in their place of work. One care home in Attard, Casa Antonia, says that despite the uncertain circumstances, they are adjusting with the new reality.
To decrease the risk of infection, certain procedures have been introduced, most saliently in that 70 members of staff now live-in house for a period of three weeks at a time, while office staff work remotely. Because no visitors are allowed in, the home installed telecommunication for its residents to keep in contact with their loved ones.
But despite increased expenses, staff working longer hours, and living away from their loved ones, Casa Antonia’s Manager Sarah Cassar says the home has truly taking the situation in their stride.
“Life at Casa Antonia has been wonderfully surreal,” she said. “The home makes sure that spirits are kept high for residents and staff alike, curating lots of activities, a regular cinema night, live music, art sessions and making use of their large outback garden. In fact, residents and staff are working together to make the experience as best as possible.”
“I am so thankful for our staff who have overwhelmingly supported our decision to implement a live in strategy. Not only have they left their families and homes but they have had to adjust to living in a community with fellow employees from different cultures, to new COVID related procedures and longer working hours.”
“It has been difficult for everyone and everyone has made an effort to better the situation. I am so grateful to the chef listening to the nurse explain how to properly cook Filipino style rice, the gardener helping Mrs. Vella make paper flowers in craft, the care assistant turned hairdresser, the maintenance man DJing in the lounge…..”
“I am also so thankful also for our residents. They have adjusted so wonderfully and I am so proud of them. They have become more involved in the running of the Home as us employees have more time to talk to them.”
“Resident Monsignor Fenech delivers mass everyday now that we can no longer receive outside celebrants. In the evening we discuss together what we should watch or do. I am grateful to have such wonderful residents telling me stories about the war, about difficult times and, above all, about hope. I am glad for the sudden uproar in agreement when a resident suggests we skip the news to go straight to ‘My Fair Lady’ because “the news has been the same for days, they’re only changing the numbers.”
Lastly, Cassar is grateful that despite the health crisis, health authorities have kept the situation under control and that thanks to precautions taken by the home, they have not faced tragedy.
“I am thankful for our public health authorities who have managed the crisis so well. We have done so much better than most other EU countries in general, but if you look at the situation in homes for the elderly in other countries compared to ours, it has been a nothing short of miraculous.”
“I am so thankful to live in a society which cared enough, which obeyed the rules and stopped the spread.”
Although currently at home, Sarah says she can’t wait to return to Casa Antonia.
“I am so utterly excited to be ‘stuck’ home with you again soon!”
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