Windsor House’s Masternick: Grateful for ‘Heroic’ Staff

John Masternick, chief executive officer of Windsor House, and his staff have worked hard to manage the impact of COIVD-19 at the company’s nursing homes and assisted living centers. You can read more about Windsor House at its website.

What are some ways COVID-19 has affected your organization, and what are you doing to manage its impact?

The earliest stage of the pandemic and the earliest outbreaks were the worst. So much was unknown, masks and other PPE were unavailable and the few tests for COVID available were going to prisons and not long-term care facilities. We struggled to get the needed PPE, and we couldn’t test for this invisible enemy. Our staff had to rely on old school nursing skills by doing physical assessments to determine who had COVID and who didn’t.

Asymptomatic residents were never identified until we were afforded the availability of tests. The loss of life was tragic, with longtime residents being the most susceptible since they had been in declining health for longer periods of time. Staff members would walk the hall in tears and go outside to take cry breaks instead of smoke breaks. We’ve been providing resources to our residents and staff to deal with the emotional impact of the pandemic.

One of the more recent issues is visitation. We have adjusted along the way to find opportunities for our residents to see their loved ones, including virtual visits, window visits, outdoor and indoor visits. Now, the worst is behind us and we have improved our facilities a great deal to manage COVID’s impact.

What has been the response of your staff and residents so far?

During our company’s first outbreak, the administrator sent me a picture of the parking lot on a Sunday morning with the caption “Parking lot is full today, all staff on board.” It made me proud to be a healthcare worker.

The staff’s response has been nothing short of heroic. They have risked their lives and their family’s lives to go to work, provided care for their residents and held people’s hands while they took their last breaths.

Their acts of compassion and courage have been an inspiration to me. What they have done through this pandemic is something I hope the world will recognize. When we get to the end of this battle, I hope they receive the praise and rewards they deserve. These front-line heroes are our greatest source of pride. They have tirelessly worked on the front lines to protect the health and well-being of our residents. I’m truly grateful for our staff’s commitment, dedication and perseverance during this time.

Windsor House is also grateful for our residents and families. We truly appreciate their support as we continue to make difficult decisions with the best intentions for our residents. It can be difficult to trust in others, especially during such a critical time, but caring for our senior population is a great privilege we take very seriously.

Most of the residents have amazingly been at peace with the situation. Most opted to receive the vaccines that were available and have remained in good spirits. Now that they’re vaccinated, they expect to be rewarded with visits from their loved ones. I agree with them, and the regulations are moving closer to visitation every day.

What was the low point for you and your staff throughout the pandemic?

One Saturday morning before 8 a.m., I received two phone calls from key staff members who were both in tears. One had just lost a beloved family member to COVID and one had just found out that her facility had a major outbreak. This was during a strict lockdown and it was difficult not being able to visibly support staff members who were working so hard and going through so much. They were on the front lines and we were trying to get them masks and tests that they needed. Even at the lowest points, I was amazed by the humanity of our staff. When things were at their worst, they were at their best. That’s what I love about healthcare workers.

We are just grateful there have been no outbreaks recently, and I am hopeful that we are getting as close as we can get to the new normal. We keep a close eye on the COVID numbers every day throughout the country and the world. They certainly seem to be trending down. and I just pray that trend continues until this is just a memory.

How has COVID affected your personal life and how have you dealt with it?

I was impacted in the same manner as most family members with a loved one in a facility. My mother and sister live in Windsor House at Liberty Arms Assisted Living, and I miss them dearly. I’m looking forward to reuniting with them, and grateful to the staff who cared for them when we couldn’t be there.

How do you feel about the approved COVID vaccines, and what are your plans regarding vaccination?

I have never been a big fan of vaccines, but I strongly support the COVID vaccine and I encourage everyone to educate themselves and consider what is best for them. I was shocked by the number of long-term care staff nationwide that did not want to receive the vaccine because they didn’t trust the science behind it. I was the first individual in our organization to receive the vaccination because many staff members refused to be vaccinated unless I was. I was vaccinated at Windsor House at Omni Manor to lead by example and encourage other staff members to receive the shot.

Windsor House is excited to offer the vaccine to new residents and staff, along with those who did not receive the vaccine during the initial clinics. Our skilled nursing and assisted living communities, along with our pharmacy, are part of Ohio Department of Health’s ongoing vaccination maintenance program. The COVID 19 vaccine will be administered monthly at our centers.

What advice or your thoughts are you sharing with those you love?

Treasure every moment because nothing is guaranteed.