Activists in Action: Caring for our Most Vulnerable in a Pandemic

The difficulties specific to nursing homes in the current pandemic have been in the news recently and usually focus on the fatalities due to the virus. Yet these facilities have been entrusted with the care of our most vulnerable and revered family members, our parents, our grandparents, our aunts and uncles. Mary Beth Lescault, owner and director of nursing at The Cove at Grace Barker in Warren, RI wants to reassure family members that, “This is an environment where if you want to see true empathy and dedication and heroism, if I may, this is it. These people every day come in and do what they have to be doing. They are caregiver, they’re family member, they’re friend, they’re confidante, they’re support, they’re shoulder to cry on even though we can’t get close to do that.”

The personal nature of caring for our frail elders and the priority of that care are the overriding sentiments of everyone who spoke with the Weekly recently about their motivation and commitment in the field, including those in skilled nursing facilities, under hospice care, and participating in programs that allow them to remain in their homes.