One of the first grants distributed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic helped hospice patients stay connected with their families following the Stay-at-Home order issued by Governer Evers at the end of March.
Now isolated from their loved ones and confined to only their rooms, this grant from the Hands for Hospice Fund (a component fund of the Community Foundation of Dunn County) provided Adoray Home Health and Hospice with $12,500 to purchase Ipads for their patients so they could stay connected with their families during isolation. With the majority of these Ipads having been distributed to patients at facilities that have continued operating under restrictions, they have served an important role in the lives and well-being of these patients.
One such patient, Burton, AKA “Burt”, has been using his Ipad to stay connected with his family – his son in particular, as the facility he is staying in is still not allowing anyone in, nor are they allowing window visits. As a result, Burt has only been able to see his wife because she works at the facility. The isolation has been very hard on him, as he previously had several volunteers from Adoray (including a vet-2-vet volunteer) that would visit him regularly. The Ipad he was issued has also allowed for Burt and his wife to participate in spiritual counseling together with a chaplain, as his wife has also been struggling with this unique situation.
Another patient, Jeffrey, AKA “Jeff”, has also primarily been using his Ipad to stay connected with family, as most life far away and are not able to visit. With his diagnosis having him mostly bed-bound, his issued Ipad has been a great resource for him to keep his mind active and occupied, rather than just watching television.
Mostly bed-bound due to his condition, Jeff uses his Ipad to keep in touch with family and to keep his mind sharp and active as he continues to live in a facility operating under restrictions.
Burt, a hospice patient, uses his Ipad to stay connected with family and attend virtual spiritual counseling with his wife.
Amber Bettinger, Director of Development & Marketing at Adoray Home Health and Hospice, said that the Ipads have been crucial for patients experiencing lockdown restrictions. “The Ipads have been a huge help with those facilities that are not letting anyone in, so our RNs are able to do their visits via Zoom with the Ipads, as well as our other services, like spiritual care,” she wrote.
The Community Foundation of Dunn County has partnered with The United Way of Dunn County to continue raising funds to help those who have been struck the hardest by the pandemic. We encourage donors to continue their support by donating to the now established Dunn County COVID-19 Response Fund so that we may continue to help people like Burt and Jeff. To donate to this fund, visit http://cfdunncounty.org/give/donate/, or click the button below.