As of Tuesday, more than 8-thousand people have been fully vaccinated in Crawford, Erie and Warren counties.

Most of those vaccinated are older and many live in nursing homes. So, with many residents vaccinated, is life starting to get back to normal in nursing homes throughout our area?

Staff at Brevillier Village say that 93%  of their residents wanted the vaccine. Residents at one house already have both doses, and another house is halfway there. The staff is now on a waiting list to get the vaccine. 


But, just because residents received the vaccine, that doesn't mean life is back to normal. Karen Triana is a certified nurse's aid and helps care for residents at Brevillier Village and since many have gotten the vaccine already she says the results have been promising. "They all seem great after the vaccines, I haven't noticed much of anything different", said Triana. 


Although dozens are protected with the vaccine, life isn't back to normal. Activities are now back, but they're much smaller. "There's small activities, we have small crafts, small bingos, a lot of small activities where everyone is spaced out, they have activities in their room as well", continued Triana.

When you mix the pandemic and the winter weather, it can be hard for the residents to find the joy which is why some family members put together Valentine's Day decorations so that residents can still see them from the inside.


Director of Development Maureen Rizzo says staff still have to fill in as family members, since patients are largely protected. "I think the creativity level has been through the roof. Our recreation staff has gone above and beyond, they are doing virtual entertainment", says Rizzo.


For now, staff will have to keep filling that role, since in-person visits are still awhile away. "Residents want to see their loved ones as well , we do a lot of communication with technology as far as skype and different kinds of meetings as far as that goes but nothing beats in person meetings for sure", concluded Rizzo.


Even on the gloomy days of winter, staff keeps reminding residents to find the joy in little things, like their vaccinations.