Birthdays, anniversaries and holidays typically are a time for friends and families to gather with their loved ones, including those who live in long-term care. However, celebrating those occasions looks and feels different due to COVID-19 and industry-related policies and government mandates that impact visitation.
Throughout the pandemic, it remains critically important to help the older adults who live here feel loved and appreciated — on significant days like Thanksgiving and Christmas, not only, but other days, too — because they greatly miss their friends and family.
The rules surrounding visitation can change often, so be sure to check the visitation page well in advance if you are planning to visit in person.
In addition to in-person visits, here are some easy ways you can bring joy to a person who lives at Christian Health Care Center in Lynden this holiday season:
Mail a greeting card or mail a personal letter. Let your loved one know you’re thinking of them. Use written communication — a one-time card or weekly letters — to share info about your life and let them know you’re thinking of them. Note: If you type a letter, use a large font — 16pt or larger — to increase readability. Send cards and letters to their attention addressed to Christian Health Care Center, 855 Aaron Drive, Lynden, Washington, 98264.
Personal phone calls. Encourage various members of your family to call your loved one — great grandchildren, siblings, children. All are welcome to call CHCC between the hours of 8 a.m. and 9 p.m.
Bring cheerful signs and plan a window visit. Window visits are allowed from the exterior of the building. People coming to CHCC for window visits are required to follow current guidelines related to masks and social distancing. Windows must remain closed to prevent the spread of germs, but phones can be used to facilitate conversations between people inside and outside the building. Residents with courtyard view windows can have window visits in designated exterior rooms. Please call CHCC at 360-354-4434 to schedule a window visit ahead of time so we can ensure the resident is available and that staff are able to assist, if needed.
Drop off a small gift. Deliveries can be dropped off on the cart located in the vestibule of the rehab entrance, which is located behind CHCC. Whenever possible, the items (including food) should be commercially packaged or placed in a plastic bag (preferably a zipper bag). Make sure your loved one’s name is on each item being delivered. Our screening staff will take it from there. For the safety of all residents and staff, we ask that you do not proceed beyond the vestibule area. Suggested items: coffee table picture books, novels, framed family photos, word search books, current editions of their favorite magazines.
Deliver flowers. Flower deliveries are welcome at any time. Note that highly fragrant flowers — such as Oriental lilies, hyacinths, lilac stems — can cause people who live and work here to have allergic reactions. Highly scented flowers cannot enter the building, so they should be excluded from any bouquets that are delivered. Recommended flowers: tulips, chrysanthemums, sunflowers, dahlias, hydrangea, calla lilies, daffodils, ranunculus, snapdragons and poppies.
Video visits. Video visits must be scheduled in advance with at least 24 hours’ notice. To schedule a video visit, please visit our visitation page.