America Is Aging

The U.S. Census anticipates, for the first time in U.S. history, older adults will outnumber kids by 2035. This is significant in many ways, from potentially greater demands on healthcare to in-home caregiving and affordable housing. 

In Boise, one organization making a difference in the lives of seniors is Samaritan Village. They provide affordable housing for seniors, and others, on a limited income, who require features of mobility equipped apartments. It is a place where community is created through its staff and residents, and kindness is spreading in new and creative ways during Covid-19— from staff delivering “Merry” Covid gift bags to residents making face masks for each other.  

Keep Boise kind recently spoke with Housing Director and Property Manager Laurijane Nowak. She gave us a glimpse inside the community and talks about how residents are coping with the virus, the quarantine and the different acts of kindness going around the village in these unprecedented times. 

How is Samaritan Village dealing with Coronavirus? 

Samaritan Village is abiding by the recommended CDC guidelines pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to absorbing that information, the property is also being directed by The Good Samaritan Society Management Company to take additional precautions. All of the furniture in the common halls and exterior patios has been sanitized, removed from access to the public, and stored in locked community rooms. The public restrooms have been locked until further notice. All entry doors, postal boxes, elevators, laundry rooms and other common area hard surfaces are disinfected daily. Touchless hand sanitizer dispensers are available at all main entry areas along with signs directing all visitors to sanitize their hands prior to entering the buildings.

What is the attitude of the residents? 

In general, the residents are experiencing anxiety during this battle. Some residents have taken up creative endeavors and others are drinking more alcohol than usual. We greet each other when our paths cross, and all of us are looking forward to resuming our social activities. 

Are they taking the precautions you suggest? 

Yes, most of the residents are staying home and when they are out they are wearing masks and maintaining social distancing.

What acts of kindness is spreading throughout the Samaritan Village community? 

A couple of the residents are making masks and giving those masks to whoever wants to use them. Some residents who have vehicles are giving rides to others who need to go shopping or pick up prescriptions. Our management team put together a “Merry” COVID gift bag which contained homemade hand sanitizer; laundry soap, dryer sheet and quarters for a load of care; peroxy hard surface cleaner, gloves, hand-wipes for cleaning at home; cough drops & Kleenex; resource information about obtaining medical attention and transportation options, and a couple of masks for wearing outside their apartment home.

Gift bags for Samaritan Village residents during coronavirus quarantine

In these challenging times, coming together helps. Novak says the staff meets weekly to share their thoughts and prayers in these uncertain times. And, residents are doing their part and showing their gratitude by sending thank you cards for what the staff has been doing to keep them safe and protected.