As you know, we have not been allowing visitors into the facility for weeks. First, it was to protect our residents from influenza, now to protect them from Covid-19. We are happy to report that at this time, there has been no influenza cases or Covid-19 cases among our residents. We are so grateful for your continued patience and understanding in keeping your distance for their sake. We are also taking measures within the facility to keep them safe. For instance, group activities and group dining have been restricted. Although we all get lonesome for the outside world, we are staying busy here on the inside! We have been participating in a lot more one-on-one activities, including a "wine and cheese day," individual bingo, a goat visit, baking comfort foods and snacks to be shared with employees and residents, and they continue working with our Physical Therapy Assistant, Sarah Bendig.
We have taken this downtime to paint the walls in the clinic as well as the hallways in the long-term care side of the facility. They are simple changes, but it sure makes a difference! We have also welcomed Krystyl Kulbeck, PA-C back. She reports they are very happy to have Asher at home. At this time Krystyl and Zane Bendig, NPC will continue to see patients in the clinic as needed and the Emergency Room is open 24/7/366. We do ask that prior to coming into the facility you call to be screened, this is to protect our staff and our residents, as well as anyone you may come into contact with in the community. We will screen EVERY person who enters the building, staff included. We do encourage you to continue to send cards, pictures and letters to the folks in the facility. We cannot currently accept any home-cooked goods, but if you'd like to send a store-bought treat in a sealed package, the residents would appreciate it! You can mail cards and other well-wishes to PO Box 530, Big Sandy, MT 59520.
On a lighter note, we sought the wisdom of our residents today. May you find it helpful during this time! In no particular order:
Q: What is one luxury you wouldn't want to live without?
A: Fluffy Towels
A: Phone (instant access to communication)
A: TV
A: My Dog
A: Puzzles
A: Indoor Plumbing
A: Car
Q: What is something you always find comforting?
A: "I guess probably flowers"
A: "Facetime is really nice; I can call family whenever I want to. The sunshine too"
A: "Being with my husband or friends"
A: "Family Bible"
A: "Puzzles"
A: "Walking"
A: "My Children"
Q: How do you stay sane when you're cooped up in the house?
A: "Play outdoors, have picnics"
A: "Read, watch TV, play outside, and if we had chores to do, we'd do those"
A: "Read, craft, knit, crochet, or sew"
A: "Think of what the world may become"
A: "Putz around the house"
A: "Read"
A: "Oh, I loved it!"
Q: What games would you encourage the kids to play when they're home from school?
A: "Play school"
A: "Color, draw, bake cookies, help out mother. We were musical and we knew how to play cards too!"
A: "Bake cookies"
A: "Uncle Wiggily"
A: "Puzzles"
A: "Play outside in the dirt"
A: "Read a book"
Q: What meal would you make when your pantry was down to bare bones?
A: "Stone Soup"
A: "Spaghetti"
A: "Macaroni/Burger Casserole"
A: "Pancakes and sausage"
A: "Chicken Noodle Soup"
A: "Spaghetti"
A: "Bacon and Eggs"
Q: What would you use if there was no toilet paper?
A: "Soft pages in a catalog. They don't have those anymore. If you use the heavy paper it'd plug the toilet"
A: "When we were kids, we had an outdoor toilet. We would use the Sears and Roebuck or Motgomery Ward Catalog pages, and peach wrappers too. "
A: Paper towels, but don't throw them in the toilet
A: Sears Catalog
A: Klenex
A: Klenex
A: Newspaper
A: Catalogs
We'd love to hear what questions you have for the folks here. You can email your questions to jdooley@bsmc.org or send a message via Facebook. If you have not yet liked our Facebook page, please do so as we do our best to keep you updated on the day-to-day changes and happenings online. Don't hesitate to call us at 406-378-2189 and please stay home! We are Montanan's, we will get through this! As always, thanks for being the heart of BSMC.
