Mahoning Valley nursing homes on front line of COVID-19 battle

YOUNGSTOWN — The front door to The Inn at Christine Valley in Youngstown is currently locked.

A sign forbids entry to anyone who has recently traveled to Japan, South Korea, China, Iran and Italy or has been in Columbus or Stark County.

Every person that enters the long-care nursing facility must complete a screening that includes taking the person's temperature. This goes for visitors, staff and vendors that provide services or make deliveries.

"I can see that screening tool in my sleep," said Melanie Torres, executive director at The Inn.

Since the coronavirus — and COVID-19, the illness it causes — is particularly dangerous to older adults and people with underlying health conditions, nursing home officials are especially cautious. And John Saulitis, director of Direction Home of Eastern Ohio's long-term care ombudsman program, cites The Inn at Christine Valley as a facility that has displayed proactive preparation for the virus.

The Life Care Center in Kirkland, Wash. became the original epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak in the United States. Of the 30 deaths in that state, 23 were linked to that nursing home, according to Public Health Seattle and King County. The Stranger reported that the virus has spread to 10 long term care facilities in the Seattle area.

Elderly people with health conditions "is a somewhat descriptive term for people who live in nursing homes," said Saulitis. According to a study in the Journal of the American Medicine Association, the COVID-19 mortality rate for people aged 70 to 79 years is 8 percent, and rises to nearly 15 percent for people ages 80 and older.

“The mortality rate is shocking,” Mark Parkinson, president and chief executive of the American Health Care Association, told the New York Times. He said the death rate might well exceed the 15 percent that had been reported in China for people aged 80 and older.

With the fifth Ohio coronavirus case confirmed today, Ohio nursing homes are looking to avoid the devastation in the Seattle area. That started with relocating polling places from nursing homes in preparation for the Ohio Primary on March 17.

Since last week, the ombudsman program has visited each of the 73 nursing homes and assisted living facilities in its region: Ashtabula, Columbiana, Mahoning and Trumbull counties.

"We're there to see what kind of information is being presented to residents and talking to residents and family members about what the nursing home is doing to ensure health and safety," Saulitis said.

For facilities that practice standard infection control, not much has to change.

"We're encouraging things that should be going on all the time," said Saulitis.

Saulitis fears that nursing home staff, who are typically not highly paid, might be unable to stay home when sick, due to financial concerns. He also noted that if schools close, working parents could struggle to find childcare.

"You need to be talking about plan B and plan C. Start talking to friends, family, grandparents and neighbors. What informal resources are there if all of a sudden my school closes?" Saulitis asked.

This concern materialized today when Gov. Mike DeWine announced that Ohio schools will be closed for three weeks starting Monday.

"Like the general public, things are changing every four to six hours. We're trying to keep up with it and be proactive," said Eric Murray, executive director of senior care services for the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation.

While many outbreak developments can't be predicted, local nursing homes are able to learn from the challenges of nursing homes at the epicenter of the outbreak in Washington State — especially when it comes to communication.

At The Inn at Christine Valley, communication has been made a priority.

"I have called every family member and verbally talked with them myself," said Torres. "They're so happy we're being diligent."

Murray is also taking steps to ensure that personal communication continues between residents and loved ones during the period of drastically limited visitation.

Heritage Manor and Levy Gardens are using services like Apple's FaceTime and Skype to keep residents connected with their families.

"We want residents and families to know we'll do what we can to facilitate communication," said Murray.

Administrators are tasked with balancing precaution with concern for the emotional well-being of residents.

Because, at the end of the day, Saulitis said, "This is a person's home,"

This story was originally published March 13, 2020 at 4:10 AM with the headline "Mahoning Valley nursing homes on front line of COVID-19 battle."