Citizens Memorial Hospital | Vitality | Fall 2020

During the COVID-19 pandemic, some Citizens Memorial staff were temporarily reassigned to serve other departments and facilities in our organization. With the cancellation of all middle and high school athletics, athletic trainers from the CMH Sports Medicine Center volunteered to work in our long-term care facilities. “I was hired as an athletic trainer in early March,” says Brian DeVivo, ATC. “Because of COVID, less than two weeks later I went from treating athletes for sports injuries to working with staff and residents at Community Springs Healthcare Facility in El Dorado Springs.” A FOCUS ON SAFETY For the safety of residents and staff, all six CMH long-term care facilities and Butterfield Residential Care Center were some of the first senior living facilities in the state to restrict visitors and enhance precautionary measures to minimize risk to residents. “The workload for our long-term care facilities increased tremendously,” DeVivo says. “The residents knew that CMH was working so hard to keep them safe, but they weren’t able to see their family and friends in person and sometimes that really got them down. Every day I tried to go to work and perk them up, make them smile and have a good time. There’s actually not a huge difference between high school students and our residents,” he says with a laugh. “Sometimes, they can act the same.” DeVivo says that it was rewarding to be young and have the opportunity to get to know the residents personally and listen to their stories, history and words of wisdom. “One of our most joyful, helpful and energetic residents made sure that I lived each day like it was my last,” he says. RIGHT TIME FOR SENIOR CARE? One of the trickiest things about getting help for yourself or a loved one is figuring out just what kind is needed and how much. Take a survey that will help you figure out the care that’s needed, at the right time, in the right place and that will provide you with the right support. Is it the right time for senior living? Learn more about options and decide the best fit for your care needs by taking a quick survey at https://bitly.com/ CMHRightTime . For more information about CMH long-term care or residential care facilities, call 417-399-1818. For more information about CMH long- term care facilities and care options, call 417-399-1818. Keeping residents safe Sports medicine staff help in long-term care facilities during pandemic “That’s some pretty good advice!” CMH operates six long-term care facilities and one residential care center in Cedar, Dallas, Greene and Polk counties. ➜ CMH athletic trainer Brian DeVivo, ATC, was reassigned to work at Community Springs Healthcare Facility, El Dorado Springs, during the pandemic. He enjoyed working with the residents, including Margaret Smith. SENIOR CARE citizensmemorial.com 15