Lives lost to the pandemic from Trilogy nursing homes

Ron Burgess

McConnelsville, Ohio

In McConnelsville, the county seat of Morgan County in Appalachian southeastern Ohio, virtually everybody knew somebody affected by the pandemic, a lot of them whereas sufferers at Highland Oaks Well being Middle. 

Ron Burgess of Richland County, an hour north of Columbus, was a U.S. Air Power veteran. He had been the city Santa Claus for Bellville, Ohio, a former president of the “The Buckeye Santas,” and a longtime registered nurse who volunteered his expertise at quite a few companies.

“He was at all times simply that man who wished to assist individuals,” stated his son, Ron Burgess Jr. of Maryland.

Then, at 71, his reminiscence began failing quick. “He could not discover his keys and even bear in mind use them,” his son stated. “He thought he was in New York, Baltimore. He forgot me.”

In Might 2020, he was taken to Highland Oaks, the place he was positioned within the reminiscence care wing for Alzheimer’s sufferers. In December, simply days after getting a brand new roommate, his father examined constructive for the coronavirus. His son later realized the roommate had examined constructive earlier than the 2 had been housed collectively.

“One thing failed there,” Ron Burgess stated. “On the finish of final 12 months, everybody was getting bored with (COVID-19). They had been letting their guard down.”

Burgess, a grandfather of six and great-grandfather of two, died Dec. 10.

– Dean Narciso, Columbus Dispatch

Ann Clay

Springfield, Ohio

They had been virtually highschool sweethearts. A couple of dates whereas youngsters didn’t spark the hearth, however years later Phil Clay bumped into his former classmate whereas strolling down the road.

It took them three years to get married.

Ann Clay, like her husband, was an mental. Phil was recognized for speaking. For dad jokes. For an enormous persona. Ann wasn’t shy, however she wasn’t the primary to talk both. 

She’d go to any occasion and she or he’d hear, however lots of the time she most popular to be dwelling. She preferred to quilt, learn, have a tendency her flowers out entrance. The couple had a trip dwelling in Canada.

That they had the kind of love that prompted Phil to go to Ann virtually on daily basis whereas she lived in a nursing dwelling with early dementia. For six years. He even ended up leaving their longtime dwelling and downsizing so he might be nearer to her.

It’s a home Ann by no means obtained to reside in.

Phil and Ann had visited a number of native nursing houses earlier than deciding on Forest Glen when Ann developed dementia in her early 70s. He says he spent half 1,000,000 {dollars} on her care there.

COVID-19 was virtually a blessing, Phil stated. Ann wasn’t herself anymore. “There wasn’t an entire lot of her there,” he stated, tearing up. “For her, I wished it to finish.”

March 9, 2020, was the final time he would step inside Forest Glen Well being Campus. At first, they may nonetheless go to exterior. Masked and with temperature checks. Six ft aside. “One time, I sneaked and touched her ankle,” he stated.

By September, even visits on the patio had been canceled.

As soon as per week, he and his daughters may Zoom with Ann. Within the background, he noticed well being care staff in full hazmat fits. Fabric masks, plastic face covers, gloves, full robes.

When she contracted COVID-19 in October 2020, he was confronted with a troublesome alternative of whether or not to be together with her in her final moments and threat being contaminated with the virus himself.

“I wished to, clearly, but when I did that, I couldn’t see my household. And the truth is it didn’t make an enormous distinction to her anyway,” he stated. “In some unspecified time in the future with dementia, you get to the purpose, ‘Is anybody dwelling or not?’ You simply don’t know.”

He selected to remain away. Ten days after testing constructive for the coronavirus, Ann died at 78.

– Briana Rice, Cincinnati Enquirer

Naomi ‘Faye’ Dickman

Evansville, Indiana

Nobody referred to as Naomi Dickman “Faye” besides her household – a becoming distinction for a girl who was mannered and at all times conscious of appearances, in keeping with her daughter, Pam Muensterman. 

Dickman was 95 when she died at River Pointe Well being Campus in Evansville on Feb. 17, 2021. Dickman had labored as a receptionist at Evansville’s McCurdy Residential Middle.

Her loss of life was solely attributable to COVID-19, in keeping with her loss of life certificates. However her daughter, Pam Muensterman, assigns no blame. Muensterman repeatedly praised workers at River Pointe, expressing full belief of their therapy of her mom.

A resident of River Pointe for nearly six years, Dickman – who had dementia – lived in a room together with her 93-year-old sister. The sister reported to the household from the within.

“There have been bins exterior and we may drop stuff off,” Muensterman stated. “We talked to individuals there and would ask how she was doing, and they might inform us what she would say. … I do know we couldn’t go in and see her, however when you could have an excellent relationship along with your nursing dwelling and the folks that work there, that’s what’s crucial half.”

Muensterman laughed when requested to explain her mom. Presentation was every little thing for Dickman, who was fastidious about her look and fussy about her environment. If her garments weren’t pressed, her mattress not made and her room not in good order, the individuals round her heard about it.

“It was all about Faye,” Muensterman stated. “That’s what we used to say. She was very prissy and really fairly, and she or he needed to have her hair finished good. And in the event that they didn’t repair it proper, we had been again in there the following day fixing it for her.”

Two days earlier than her mom’s loss of life, Muensterman was allowed to go to her once more. She grew pensive when requested about her final moments face-to-face together with her mom.

“I stated, ‘I really like you, Mother,’ and she or he stated, ‘Me too,’” she stated. “Now, did she know who I used to be? I don’t know, however we did the fitting factor.”

– Thomas B. Langhorne, Evansville Courier & Press

Byron Eggemeyer

Terre Haute, Indiana

Byron Eggemeyer had a fall that resulted in a mind harm that despatched him to Cobblestone Crossings in Terre Haute in July 2020. 

As a brand new resident, he needed to quarantine from different residents and household for a month, and family members may go to solely from exterior the window. Nonetheless, Byron examined constructive for the coronavirus on Christmas Day and was moved to the COVID-19 wing. 

His daughter, a highschool household and shopper science instructor, was the household caretaker for her father. Brenda Weeks visited at Christmas when employees dressed Byron up in festive apparel. They held up footage by way of the window of his new great-grandchild. 

“He stored his eyes closed as we talked by way of the window,” she stated. “It was unhealthy.”

Eggemeyer grew up poor in Chester, Illinois, one in all 9 kids and the one one to go to school. He turned an aerospace engineer and ultimately taught aviation upkeep and traveled the world instructing jet engine restore. 

Within the waning months of his life, Byron would typically get confused, however he was planning to vote absentee within the 2020 election. He typically thought his daughter was his deceased spouse. 

He was scheduled to be vaccinated in opposition to COVID-19 simply days earlier than he examined constructive for the virus. Brenda Weeks declined to maneuver him to a hospital the place he would have been intubated. 

He died on Dec. 27. 

That day, Brenda had left for an hour whereas the employees modified Byron’s sheets, then obtained the telephone name that he had died. She returned, indignant, and waited for the funeral dwelling. 

She blames employees for bringing COVID-19 into the ability.

“I used to be mad then and I’m nonetheless mad now,” Weeks stated. “I used to be shaming them once I put COVID and the ability title within the paper.” 

– Nick Penzenstadler, USA TODAY

Reba Hammons

Battle Creek, Michigan

Sharon Williams moved her mother, Reba Hammons, into The Oaks at Northpointe Woods in Battle Creek in 2015. Hammons had been residing with dementia for a few 12 months, and her physician stated the socialization and round the clock care obtainable at a facility would assist.

Williams did her analysis and determined that The Oaks was the most effective match for her mother. 

“The place was at all times spotless, clear,” she stated. “They had been so good with the residents.” 

Williams visited her mother at The Oaks a number of occasions per week. They’d play Scrabble or dominoes and watch “Little Home on the Prairie” or “The Value is Proper.” On Sundays, Williams introduced her mother again to her dwelling in Battle Creek and did her hair. Generally they’d go on drives and discover native parks. 

Hammons, 96, had been recognized for her kindness and her cooking. She cherished to bake pies and desserts, particularly lemon meringue, Williams stated.

“She was a beautiful woman,” stated Jack Anderson, pastor of The Church of God of Prophecy in Battle Creek, the church Hammons faithfully attended earlier than her dementia analysis. “She was at all times concerned, asking about our kids and the way we had been doing.” 

When the pandemic introduced Williams’ weekly visits to a halt in March 2020, she stated she by no means nervous about how the employees was caring for her mother. 

Williams was in a position to go to by way of the window. She would use her cellphone to name the landline in her mother’s room. They’d discuss from reverse sides of the glass. 

“In fact, when winter got here, that was a bit not possible,” she stated. “However when the temperature was sufficient the place I may go even for a couple of minutes, I’d do this.”

The pandemic was exhausting on her mother, Williams stated, as a result of dementia made it tough for Hammons to know why she wanted a masks.  

From Williams’ perspective, the employees did what it may to forestall coronavirus an infection, however as soon as COVID-19 obtained into the ability, it was an uphill battle. For a time, Williams and her husband weighed whether or not it might be higher to maneuver Hammons into their dwelling.

“In any nursing dwelling, when one thing like that goes by way of … there’s nowhere to run and nowhere to cover,” she stated. “You are type of like a sitting duck.”

Hammons examined constructive for the virus someday in late November or early December 2020 and was moved to a non-public room. Finally, Williams made the tough determination to not have her mother intubated or hospitalized, per Hammons’ needs. 

On the morning of Dec. 8, 2020, Williams stated she obtained a telephone name from The Oaks. A employees member stated her mother was unresponsive. She and her husband went to see her by way of the window.

“It was actually chilly,” Williams stated. “I did not know if she would go away later within the day or how lengthy, and so I advised my husband, ‘She appears at peace.’ And so we went dwelling.”

Lower than quarter-hour later, Williams obtained the decision that her mother had died. Not being there pains Williams, even a 12 months later.

– Elena Durnbaugh, Lansing State Journal

John Kline Jr.

McConnelsville, Ohio

James Kline knew this was not going to be simple.

He had gathered along with his mom, siblings and kids within the parking zone of Highland Oaks Well being Middle the day after Thanksgiving after studying that his father, John F. Kline Jr., who had been taken to the COVID-19 wing of the McConnelsville facility, was nearing the top.

The household had visited in mid-October from Westerville, Ohio, and Parkersburg, W.Va. The facility was chosen partly as a result of it was an affordable midpoint for guests.

The go to got here weeks earlier than the winter surge of COVID-19 circumstances could be reported inside.

On that heat day, Kline, 73, was within the reminiscence wing and met his household exterior, sharing tales about his school days as a standout wrestler and catching up along with his grandkids.

It might be the final time the prolonged Kline household would have a significant go to.

A employees member referred to as Trudy Kline on Nov. 1 to elucidate that the ability had had a COVID-19 outbreak and that in-person visits had been being suspended.

Trudy bent the principles, nonetheless, visiting her husband in a room simply contained in the foyer, bringing him cookies, milkshakes and different favorites.

“We had been probably not alleged to be up shut,” she stated.

Then, per week earlier than Thanksgiving, she was advised that her husband of 47 years had contracted COVID-19 however had no critical signs.

Days later, she stated, “it went from he was doing effectively to every little thing went flawed in a single day.”

From the parking zone, James Kline determined that he would go into the ability first and report again on his father.

“I went in in full PPE – a face protect, gloves, full plastic robe. It appeared like a film,” he stated of the stark COVID-19 wing, every room missing adornments, wall hangings or coloration.

“Everybody in there was in a nasty spot,” he recalled, sufferers and employees alike.

Mendacity on his again with oxygen tubes in his nostrils, John Kline was gaunt, pale and never responding to his son. His 125-pound body was by now nearer to 100 kilos.

James and Judy agree that COVID-19 doubtless hastened John Kline’s loss of life. Kline died Dec. 2, 2020.

“I feel it accelerated the inevitable,” James stated. “It supplied an finish to a fairly tough state of affairs.”

– Dean Narciso, Columbus Dispatch

Steven William Lappe 

Evansville, Indiana

Steven Lappe wasn’t afraid of a lot, in keeping with his stepdaughter Ann Leek. He’d been in fight in Vietnam as a Navy Seabee, constructing bridges on the Demilitarized Zone at Quang Tri and rebuilding them when the enemy blew them up in the course of the night time. 

His obituary says he was “the sharpshooter on the finish of the convoy,” and his loss of life certificates lists Agent Orange publicity as a partial trigger.

“It was Vietnam, so he didn’t discuss it,” Leek stated. “Little or no was mentioned, and the little bit that I do know was every time he would go and communicate to my children’ faculty, he would truly discuss to the children about it.”

Lappe, 73, died at North River Well being Campus in Evansville, Indiana on Dec. 17, 2020.

Within the days earlier than Lappe died, Leek stated, she and her husband and their oldest son went into North River twice. They knew it was harmful.

Vanderburgh County was ringing up greater than 1,000 new coronavirus circumstances each week. Vaccines had been almost a month away, after which just for the oldest Indiana residents.

North River was permitting two guests at a time right into a unit that had been given over solely to residents with COVID-19, Leek stated.

“That they had you go well with up so closely once you went in there – the gloves and the face shields and the masks and the robes and the entire 9 yards,” she stated. “I imply, you had been utterly shielded once you went in there.”

Leek had a high-risk job working with college college students from everywhere in the nation and the world, however she hadn’t gotten COVID-19. She wasn’t scared. Her husband was Lappe’s greatest buddy. If he needed to say goodbye, he was doing it face-to-face.

The couple noticed nothing that struck them as unsafe or dangerous.

“If I bear in mind proper, you needed to undergo an space after which by way of one other space,” Leek stated. “You went by way of doorways or like a curtain or a vacuum seal or one thing, after which when that shut, you then went into the unit.”

Leek will bear in mind Lappe as a bodily imposing man, a Vietnam veteran, ironworker, gun fanatic, fisherman and motorbike rider with a coronary heart for animals, loyalty to pals and stoicism about his wartime experiences.

– Thomas B. Langhorne, Evansville Courier & Press

Invoice Malone

Anderson, Indiana

Invoice Malone was recovering from a coronary heart assault at Bethany Pointe Well being Campus when the pandemic began. He by no means left the nursing dwelling in Anderson.

His spouse wrote down all of her calls looking for details about his situation and care after the nursing dwelling closed to guests in mid-March 2020. By the point he was moved to a different room after exhibiting signs of COVID-19, Carlynn Malone was typically unable to even attain a employees member by telephone. 

After per week of asking for coronavirus testing, then in restricted provide, Carlynn Malone stated she was advised April 11 that Invoice had COVID-19.

The subsequent day was the final day he was alert. She referred to as the entrance desk at 1:52, 2:20, 2:25 and a pair of:56 within the afternoon earlier than reaching a employees member who inspired her to pay a go to exterior his window. 

His eyes had been glassy and bulging. It was the primary time she realized he would possibly not come dwelling. That they had been planning a visit out West to see the Rockies.

To consolation him, Carlynn sang a present tune, “A Bushel and a Peck.” It was one in all many Invoice had sung on stage in his almost 300 neighborhood theater performances. 

He was 65, a retired schoolteacher, similar to she was. They had been each on their second marriages, and so they every introduced two kids to their mixed family. Ten grandchildren got here alongside through the years. Invoice died with out assembly his youngest and eleventh grandchild.

On April 15, Carlynn Malone obtained a name from Bethany Pointe at 1:40 a.m. Her husband couldn’t be resuscitated. She lived 5 minutes away, she however couldn’t make it in time to say a ultimate “I really like you.” 

– Letitia Stein, USA TODAY

Martha Miles

Anderson, Indiana

Martha Miles was often called the peacekeeper amongst 11 siblings. She raised three boys of her personal and watched out for numerous others as a social employee. She spoiled 18 grandchildren with presents of money – and as soon as even a automotive. She died earlier than assembly three of her six great-grandchildren. 

She entered Bethany Pointe Well being Campus in Anderson in spring 2020 for a month of rehabilitation after a fall. Her household says that they had no thought she had contracted COVID-19 till the analysis appeared on her loss of life certificates.

Her son, Marvin, says pals miss the zucchini bread she used to provide them once they had been sick. He misses her Sunday suppers of pot roast, collard greens, macaroni and cheese and candied yams.

He would have taken her dwelling had households been advised that COVID-19 was a menace within the facility, he stated, which skilled the Trilogy chain’s first main outbreak of the pandemic.

Simply days earlier than she died, she referred to as him sobbing after she stated she had pressed a nurse’s button for an hour with no reply. She was struggling to breathe. 

“She had no concept that she went in and caught COVID,” Marvin Miles says.

Martha Miles died on March 30, 2020.

– Letitia Stein, USA TODAY

Sue Miller

Kokomo, Indiana

Earlier than her loss of life at the beginning of Christmas week, Sue Miller advised her daughter what she thought of nursing dwelling insurance policies supposedly defending her by holding her household out: “Bullshit.”

The 77-year-old Alzheimer’s affected person didn’t perceive why her household’s visits had been restricted at Waterford Place, the place she had moved in September. The mom of six, who loved wrapping silk blooms in gaudy bows and rescuing snakes and macaws, had at all times been recognized to inform it straight. 

A 103-degree fever introduced Miller’s an infection on Dec. 4, however two weeks handed with out signs. Her daughter, Shana Driver, was stunned to get a name from a hospice nurse on Dec. 17 instructing her to return rapidly with approval for ultimate bedside visits. 

Every member was allowed inside for quarter-hour. Nobody questioned it when 4 of Miller’s kids, their spouses, a granddaughter and a niece began a round the clock rotation, Driver stated. 

By Day 3, the household knew the four-digit code to a white glass-paned door that opened onto the COVID-19 pink zone. Family texted each other when it was time to swap shifts. They left their coats within the automobiles on idle within the parking zone. They ate quick meals, fought and cried.

Her daughter stated the household noticed fundamental COVID-19 security guidelines damaged inside the ability supposedly closed to guests, similar to failures to correctly masks up. Well being inspectors had documented related issues.

Miller died on Day 4 of their vigil, whereas her son-in-law sat at her bedside taking part in her favourite Bee Gees songs. Her respiration turned shallow, every breath additional aside. She died on a Monday, 4 days earlier than Christmas.

– Letitia Stein, USA TODAY

Phyllis Thompson

Louisville, Kentucky

Upbeat and pragmatic, Phyllis Valleau Thompson, 94, dismissed the concerns of her 4 grownup kids after the COVID-19 pandemic ended visits at Westport Place Well being Middle, a senior residence in Louisville. 

“I’m superb,” was her inventory reply, recollects her daughter, Ann Bellucci. “We at all times joked that she wouldn’t name if her hair was on hearth.”

However COVID-19 caught up with Thompson in early December 2020. She died on Dec. 11.

Earlier than contracting the virus, Thompson had a cushty life at Westport Place, Bellucci stated, studying and dealing her beloved 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzles. She learn the newspaper each day however, was not a fan of former President Donald Trump, and by no means watched tv.

Thompson moved to Westport Place in August 2016 after the loss of life of her husband of 70 years, the Rev. Ken D. Thompson, a retired Episcopal priest.

Though it meant leaving their farm exterior Louisville, Thompson adjusted effectively to life at Westport Place. Bellucci stated she and the household had been happy with the ability operated by Trilogy Well being Companies.

With the onset of COVID-19, the ability started common testing, and in early December, Bellucci obtained a name from her mom.

“Properly, guess what?” Bellucci says her mom requested. “I examined constructive.” However, Thompson added, “I really feel superb.”

Thompson was moved to an isolation wing the place she advised her daughter she would keep for 4 days. Bellucci was stunned, as a result of employees at Westport Place had advised her Thompson could be remoted 14 days.

Considering her mom misunderstood, Bellucci didn’t argue. Her mom continued to do effectively with few signs apart from a cough.

However on the night of the fourth day, a nurse practitioner reported to Bellucci that her mom’s cough had worsened and her oxygen ranges had dropped. Later that night, she improved and advised her daughter by phone that she wished to be left alone to sleep.

“I stated, ‘I really like you Mother,’” Bellucci says. “She stated, ‘I really like you too, sweetie.’”

That might be their final dialog.

Simply after 11 p.m., Bellucci’s telephone rang. It was the nurse, in tears, reporting her mom had died. 4 days after shifting to isolation, she was gone.

Bellucci cherished her mom and misses her. She’s unhappy that it was COVID-19 that brought on Thompson’s loss of life after her mom survived bouts with most cancers and lived with coronary heart illness and hypertension.

However she stated she has no regrets.

“This was Mother’s manner of going out,” Bellucci stated. “She died very peacefully. I simply felt like there was nothing I’d have modified.”

– Deborah Yetter, Louisville Courier-Journal

Ed Windholtz

Batesville, Indiana

Lifelong bachelor Ed Windholtz died a number of days after being recognized with COVID-19 per week earlier than Christmas 2020. Windholtz didn’t get the sendoff he deserved, his sisters say, as a result of the pandemic stopped his pals from attending his funeral.

Windholtz, 83, had been a farmer, like his father – the one boy in a household with eight sisters.

“He was spoiled,” his sister Barbara Windholtz stated. “As a result of he was the one boy, he was at all times considered.” 

Ed Windholtz labored his farm till his mid-70s. He grew greens and offered his produce at native farmers markets. He preferred to giggle, inform soiled jokes and watch sports activities. And he cherished his farm. 

Ed was near his sisters Barbara and Audrey, who with sister Joyce had been the one ones nonetheless residing. Barbara, Ed and Audrey by no means married.

In 2017, Ed fell within the bathtub and hit his head. He was by no means the identical and determined to reside in a nursing dwelling moderately than be a burden to his sisters. He selected St. Andrew’s Well being Campus in Batesville as a result of it had a Catholic title – his religion was essential to him – although the nursing dwelling was not Catholic.

“His physique was failing him – that was the issue,” Barbara stated. “His thoughts was at all times actual sharp.”

Barb and Audrey visited him three to 6 occasions per week. When the pandemic hit, they needed to reduce again to weekly visits from exterior the window of his first-floor room within the nursing dwelling.

They hollered by way of the window, made posters with messages for him. Generally, aides would open the window a crack if all of them had been masked. 

It was going to be chilly on Christmas Day 2020, so Audrey and Barbara visited Ed the Saturday earlier than to convey his presents. He had simply been recognized with COVID-19, however he didn’t have any signs and didn’t actually imagine he had the virus.

It was a cheerful dialog. It wasn’t too chilly, and the sisters had been glad to have an opportunity to see him earlier than Christmas.

That night time he went into cardiac arrest and died.

“We had been completely shocked once they referred to as and stated that he handed away. We had been there 5 hours earlier than,” Audrey stated. “We all know he had (COVID), however we don’t know if that’s what he died from.”

– Briana Rice, Cincinnati Enquirer

Bob Wray

Terre Haute, Indiana

Throughout the pandemic, Bob Wray was visited open air at Cobblestone Crossings in Terre Haute by his son, John, about as soon as per week. 

He had been a resident there since 2018 after his well being started to fail at age 95. Bob had Kind 2 diabetes and hypertension however no different main well being considerations till he caught COVID-19 in December 2020 on the facility. 

“They took excellent care of him there; it was unlucky he contracted it,” the son stated. “I assume they did testing at sure intervals, he got here up constructive with two different residents, and so they had been moved to the COVID wing.” 

Bob Wray died on Jan. 6 at 97.

Bob was a World Warfare II veteran, having served within the Military within the South Pacific earlier than returning to the U.S. and attending Indiana College on the GI Invoice. He labored 22 years within the tire gross sales enterprise for Goodyear in Michigan and owned a enterprise provide chain with branches in Cincinnati and Louisville. He was married to Mary Ellen for 52 years earlier than she died in 2004. 

John says he and his household at all times knew it was a risk that COVID-19 would makes its manner into the ability. 

Bob knew concerning the pandemic and will inform it was affecting everybody – particularly on the dwelling the place the ability would lock down throughout an outbreak, his son stated. He couldn’t depart his room in these days. 

“It actually put the kibosh on that for many of the 12 months. Not having the ability to be social was robust. … He bore it rather well, although.”

Bob had been a longtime member of the World Gospel Church and Gideon’s Worldwide, supporting missions and work of the Gideons distributing Scripture to hospitals, resorts, motels, gala’s and festivals. 

“He had a robust religion, a robust Christian religion, and his beliefs had been that these occasions had been coming,” John Wray stated. “The prophecies predicted these occasions had been coming, and they’re right here.”

– Nick Penzenstadler, USA TODAY