Corona infections are found in more and more old people’s and nursing homes – including in the Bredstedt Alloheim. Visiting is prohibited. It is not only the residents who suffer, it is also a terrible situation for the relatives.
by Andrea Schmidt
The doors are closed, the central number of the Alloheim in Bredstedt (Nordfriesland district) is difficult to reach. What is happening in the rooms of the senior citizens’ residence? How is the wife, mother, father or grandpa? Are you well taken care of? How does the virus spread? Are there still enough staff? The relatives have a thousand questions – and a thousand fears. The sisters Karin Costabel and Friedel Bohnert, for example. Her 98 year old mother lives here in the home. So far she has no corona, but still: “We are afraid,” says Karin Costabel. “Yesterday I had a crying fit. If in doubt, we won’t see our mother alive before Christmas.”
Is the mother looking for the car?
“That tears the ground out from under your feet,” says the Bredstedt woman. She, her sister and her brother have visited their mother almost every day – the care in this family is extremely high. There has been no chance to enter the home for many days. Both residents and nurses have been infected with the corona virus – as in so many homes across Germany. “I think my mother will now stand by the window and look out for my red car. That’s how she always recognized me,” says Friedel Bohnert. During the first lockdown, mother and daughter could at least stand by the window and talk – from a distance. That doesn’t work anymore either.
In the “Haus zum Steertpogg” in Norderstedt, 40 residents and 16 employees were infected with corona within a month. more
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Family member: “I feel so powerless”
Relative Enno Metzner is also very worried about his wife with dementia. The disease is so advanced that the 71-year-old is unable to even press the doorbell for help. Nevertheless, the doors have to be closed, because Renate Metzner was looked after by a nurse who tested positive for Covid-19. So now for security reasons quarantine. “I don’t know if my wife is getting along. Does she get her medication regularly? Are there still enough nurses who also pay attention to hygiene?” Asks the North Frisian. He wishes to be better informed. “I stand completely beside myself and feel powerless.” A feeling that thousands of relatives currently share with him.
Corona-positive and alone in the room
Another resident of the Bredstedt Alloheim, Uwe S., contracted the virus. He is already 86 years old and is now crouching in his room. His daughter can no longer come to visit. Otherwise he liked to sit in the lounge and enjoy the company of the other residents. On the phone he said in an interview with NDR Schleswig-Holstein: “Yes, no one comes anymore. Only now and then a nurse. She is then completely masked. I only see the eyes.” Uwe S. is happy that he’s still doing well. He just has a headache.
Minimum occupation and Bundeswehr help
While relatives and residents have their worries and fears, the nursing staff no longer know how to cope with everything. The regional manager for the facilities in Hamburg, Schleswig-Holstein and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Hans-Markus Johannsen, said it took a lot of effort to ensure the minimum occupancy in the Bredstedter Heim. Employees from Kiel were brought in, employees were recruited through temporary work and – currently – Bundeswehr personnel were also trained. “These are of course strangers to the residents – a problem,” says Johannsen. “Especially for those with dementia.” On average, an old people’s and nursing home have around 30 percent dementia patients, says the regional manager.
Videos
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That is more than half of the 99 new corona cases in the Pinneberg district. The incidence value increases from 90 to 108. 2 min
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There are also corona cases in the Alloheimen in Wedel (Pinneberg district) and Grömitz (Ostholstein district) – according to Johannsen, there are six residents and two employees in Grömitz, and even 40 residents and 17 employees in Wedel. Overall, the Alloheim is the largest private provider of care places in Schleswig-Holstein and operates 26 fully inpatient facilities. Not only the all-inclusive homes, but also other providers are now having major problems in the corona pandemic in supplying the residents well and adequately.
Volunteers for corona rapid tests are welcome
The rapid tests are also causing major discussions at the moment. Employees in old people’s homes, nursing homes and homes for the disabled should be tested for Corona twice a week. The tests are also intended for cleaning staff. Rapid antigen tests have been available in Bredstedt for some time – relatives can also be tested. However, a test takes 20 minutes. The staff who carry out the test and then document everything are definitely needed elsewhere, says Johannsen. Health Minister Heiner Garg (FDP) had publicly addressed this “bottleneck” on Monday. “We therefore want volunteers for this,” says Johannsen. Other operators such as the Diakonie or the German Red Cross are also asking for support.
This whole situation makes relatives like Karin Costabel, Friedel Bohnert or Enno Metzner downright. “A supervisor told me over the weekend that dementia patients in particular would really wither away. They need the contacts, the common ground in the lounge.” The relatives know that in principle they cannot blame the home. Still, the situation, they say, is worse than ever.
The author is herself a member of a resident of the Bredstedt Alloheim.
Nursing homes should remain open to visitors during the lockdown. The employee tests are the greatest challenge. more
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Joy and deep sadness are closely related: NDR author Andrea Schmidt talks about the first visit to her dementia mother in the nursing home. Emotional chaos on the site fence in Corona times. more
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The President of the German Medical Association, Klaus Reinhardt, accused the politicians of NDR Info of neglecting the pandemic. more
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Because of the pandemic, the facilities will have to face new challenges to protect residents. more
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This topic in the program:
NDR 1 Welle Nord | News for Schleswig-Holstein | 16.12.2020 | 8:00 a.m.
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