Social agencies that support residents with intellectual disabilities have been working during the pandemic to ensure clients keep a routine as a way to maintain their physical and mental health.
The Moose Jaw Express spoke with two organizations to see how they and their clients have thrived the pandemic lockdown.
Moose Jaw Families for Change
Clients with Moose Jaw Families for Change (MJFFC) have used FaceTime to communicate with family and friends ever since the lockdown began, explained Mariah Horsnall, a HIP house manager.
Staff started an initiative called driving bingo, where they drive clients throughout the community to find objects on their bingo cards. Clients have participated in scavenger hunts, while they have also explored new parts of the community.
Many clients have learned how to bake and cook and then delivered the food to the other group homes. Some clients have also learned how to manage money, to sew — one resident can now make face masks — and to play bocce ball.
“Definitely for them, to limit any behavioural issues, or to keep a routine with them, is very, very important,” Horsnall said. “We definitely want them to have a routine, so every day they know we go for a walk, just so they have something to look forward to at the end.”
The biggest thing participants have struggled with has been not seeing their families or their friends, or even volunteering, she continued. However, they understand there is a virus floating around, while staff keeps them informed regularly.
Most clients have support workers who help them. Those workers still come into the group homes to work with participants and to take them outside for trips, but they can only work at one home until the coronavirus has passed.
“It’s definitely made sure we keep any cases out of our group homes,” added Horsnall.
Christian Horizons
Christian Horizons is a national organization that has 3,500 employees who work at group homes in Saskatchewan and Ontario. Three-hundred employees work at 22 group homes in five communities in Saskatchewan; there are four homes in Moose Jaw.
The organization’s primary concern has been the health and safety of its clients and staff, said Ann Gyurmanczi, executive director of Saskatchewan. It has supported those efforts by sticking to its core values of valuing people, fostering belonging and a sense of community, serving others, and respecting clients’ gifts and abilities.
Staff have had to be nimble during the pandemic to express those core values, added Logan Runnalls, area manager of Saskatchewan. More activities have been held inside, including teaching people to bake. Clients have also painted messages on the windows to thank health-care workers.
While some families have come over and spoken with relatives through the window, it has been a godsend for clients to use technology to communicate with friends and families, Runnalls continued.
“… We need to keep stretching our social skills, and I know those are being met now through media,” he added. “I’m lovin’ it.”
The lockdown has encouraged Christian Horizons to slow down and pay more attention to the simple things in life, Runnalls explained. He thought it was exciting to see staff and clients rise to the occasion by further building their relationships.
As a faith-based organization, Christian Horizons know its clients have many needs, including spiritual requirements. While many clients attend church, the organization recognizes not everyone’s spiritual needs are met at church, said Runnalls. Besides online church, they have also held province-wide hymn sings online with their group homes. Staff have also organized prayer gatherings and led Bible studies.
The Ministry of Social Services has worked closely with the organization as co-labourers during this time to ensure it has the necessary support, he added. He has been impressed with the relationship that both groups have developed during this time.
