Barbara moved into Carefree Living in 2019. She and her partner were thrilled with the care and community at Carefree. About a year later in March of 2020, COVID-19 arrived in the state, and strict assisted living visitation restrictions were imposed by the State of New Mexico to protect the residents, staff and visitors.
Barbara and her partner, like so many Assisted Living and Nursing Home residents across the country, were stricken with grief at the inability to freely spend time together as they had previously. Therefore, they made the difficult decision to move Barbara out of Carefree Living and back to her home. Barbara and her partner missed the staff and family at Carefree Living and were so grateful for the care she received while living there, that they continued to support the staff with gifts of food, and beautiful supportive words, dropped off at the front door of Carefree Living. The staff felt an emptiness at Carefree with the absence of Barbara.
So, they came up with a plan!
Cars were decorated, posters were designed, and gifts were prepared. A car parade past Barbara’s home took place, complete with the honking of car horns, posters displaying well wishes, and the delivering of home cooked tamales (Barbara’s favorite) and other gifts from each of the staff members, delivered to her front door!
Hearts were full and COVID was forgotten for a brief time. All was right and the staff and Barbara will never forget the generosity and love between them despite the obvious separation.
Oh the love!
Barbara plans to move back to Carefree Living once the COVID-19 visitation restrictions are completely lifted and she and her partner feel COVID-19 is a thing of the past.
Until then, Barbara, Carefree Living misses you and we can’t wait to have you back!
See you soon!