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community
Home Is Where the Heart Is words Dwain Hebda IMAGEs courtesy Greenhurst Nursing Center
W
When Carolyn Parker of Paris, Arkansas, arrived at Greenhurst
Jonas Schaffer feels these families’ pain. The third-generation
Nursing Center recently for one of her three weekly visits
owner of Greenhurst is unusual by industry standards, an
with her father, Martin Gonzalez, the day felt like any other.
owner who reports to work at the community every day to
Yes, the news was full of COVID-19 finally making its way to
supervise care directly and develop the bonds that come with
Arkansas. Yes, she was worried about her father, knowing the
day-to-day interaction.
elderly are particularly susceptible to the deadly virus. But in every other respect, it was a typical visit on a typical day. Until
“It was one of the worst things in a career of working in a
it wasn’t.
nursing home to look that daughter in the face and say, ‘I’m sorry, you can’t see your father,’” Jonas said. “You saw a
“I got the heads-up to enjoy my visit, because they were going
panic, almost like this person was trapped. Everyone’s been so
on lockdown and I would not be able to get back in for a
supportive, they understand, but it’s still so difficult to tell a
while,” Carolyn says. “I was sad but glad they were protecting
child, ‘You can’t see your mother.’”
the residents. I kissed Daddy on the top of his bald head, not telling him it would be a while before we would be together
Greenhurst’s operational protocols for the situation had long
again. I did not want him to be sad or worried like I was.”
ago been laid out in a disaster contingency plan, but Jonas’ idea of quality care goes beyond three meals and a clean bed,
Carolyn’s story is one shared by families of residents in long-
as the company vision statement promises, “motivate each
term care communities everywhere, another example of
person to live each day to its fullest and to give each person
COVID-19 disrupting the rhythm of daily life. And just like
the hope and desire to live yet again because tomorrow is a
Carolyn, families feel mixed emotions about their loved ones
day to anticipate.”
being sequestered in their communities – relieved that the homes are taking such measures, heartbroken over being
In short, there’s survival measured in years and there’s living
separated from a parent’s side.
measured in engagement and experiences. Jonas has always DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM
