Moving into a Personal Care Residence During the COVID Pandemic
The Loughran family of Bucks County describes how the COVID-19 pandemic increased the emotional challenge of moving their father into a personal care residence, and how the staff at Pine Run Lakeview helped to ease the transition
A difficult decision for many families under even the best of times, moving an aging parent into a personal care setting during a global pandemic presents particular challenges. The Loughran family of Bucks County learned that firsthand in March 2020, as they moved patriarch John “Jack” Loughran into Pine Run Lakeview in Doylestown. Personal care settings are similar to assisted living, providing support where needed in bathing, dressing, meals, medication management, and other areas.
Jack, 92, and a widower for several years after the 2007 death of his beloved wife Bette, was fiercely independent and active well into his late 80s. After a battle with cancer, increasing memory challenges, and then a stroke at age 89 that impacted his ability to communicate, Jack’s six children knew they could no longer provide the support and level of care that Jack needed at home. Son Michael, who lives in Doylestown, and his siblings knew they needed to find other arrangements.
“We wanted to keep dad nearby, so my siblings and I started looking locally for care,” Michael Loughran said. “We were immediately impressed with Lakeview’s connection to Pine Run and the Doylestown Health continuum of care, especially considering dad’s history of cancer and dementia.”
Pine Run Offers Continuum of Care
Michael knows very well the care and connection the Pine Run staff shows to every resident. Many years ago, he served as a nursing aide in Pine Run Health Center’s dementia care neighborhood, The Garden. After visiting Pine Run Lakeview, the rest of the Loughran family also was convinced. They were pleased with the warm family environment, outdoor spaces, and the backyard garden patio. They could just picture having meals in the dining room and visiting with Jack on the deck. In addition, Lakeview’s secure neighborhood for memory care, The Arbor, provided the security and understanding Jack would need.
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