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April 6, 2020Capital Region BOCES students send e-cards to Shaker Place
Until just two weeks ago, aspiring nurses in Linda Keifer’s class at Capital Region BOCES Career and Technical School were caring for the residents of the Shaker Place as part of their clinical work.
Then COVID-19 forced the closure of schools and the cancellation of clinical hours at nursing homes, leaving students and adults to quarantine at home and the residents of nursing facilities isolated.
Now, the students are reaching out to the residents, sending e-cards and messages as they look to bridge the social isolation caused by the pandemic.
“I just wanted to tell you that I miss seeing you and giving you care. Everything will get better overtime and I know it is very boring not being able to do anything but things will get better soon. Stay safe!,” wrote student Samantha Tompkins of Mohonasen to a resident.
“Hello, I hope you are all safe and healthy during this time of quarantine. I miss all of you and can’t wait to come back to see all of your wonderful faces. I hope this will brighten up your day, see you soon ;). “ wrote Trinity McCrae from Cohoes.
The outreach – some of many e-cards and email messages sent by students in the Two-Year Sequence of Health Careers program – is helping to reconnect the students and their former residents.
While their learning is continuing, Kiefer said her students truly miss the work and learning at Shaker Place, as well as the social interaction they had with the residents.
“I really miss going there every week, seeing and talking with all the friends I have made. I know what is going on right now is scary but I am thinking of everyone and I have been sending prayers. I hope to come back soon! Have a wonderful spring!” Keeley Herrick of Mohonasen wrote.
Kiefer said the e-cards and messages will continue and allow the students to not only care for the residents’ emotional well-being, but also provide some relief from the quarantine for the students.
“This is such a scary time,” Herrick said. “I really wish that I could go and make the residents laugh and not feel so stressed. … It’s very upsetting and I hope my residents got my E-Card and know how much I’m thinking about them!”
