because of you, residents continue to enjoy life
News of the coronavirus pandemic broke in early 2020, and life changed by March. Staying home was the norm for everyone in the Unites States. AFEV leadership acted quickly to protect residents by increasing cleaning and sanitizing of all facilities, pausing visitors on campus, screening staff and others when entering the campus, and ensuring CDC guidelines for social distancing and mask wearing were taking place.
Life at Bob Hope Village and Hawthorn House changed, and new activities with less participants took place, outdoor activities were encouraged, volunteers shopped for groceries for residents, and Easter and Mother’s Day meals were delivered to residents by staff.
As everyone accepted the new changes, quarantining was being lifted by the state of Florida and Bob Hope Village residents were enjoying outdoor activities with visits from food trucks, playing corn hole, and bike riding. Visitors to Bob Hope Village were permitted with 24-hour notice and screenings.
Hawthorn House, on the other hand, had visitor restrictions in place according to the state of Florida. Residents understood the importance for the need to continue to quarantine and new activities were created for smaller groups, and books, puzzles, coloring pages and colored pencils were delivered to residents. Video visits were set up for residents and their family members. Residents also took fun photos that were posted on Facebook to share with their families.
As summer started, Bob Hope Village and Hawthorn House residents enjoyed visits from an ice cream truck and Knife’s Edge Café hosted a shrimp boil. The first annual Memorial Day parade was held for all to enjoy. Residents lined campus streets to wave to local car clubs, classic cars, motorcycle clubs, and military vehicles from Eglin AFB and Hurlburt Field that participated in the parade.
Staff continue to think outside of the box to keep Bob Hope Village and Hawthorn House residents engaged during this new pandemic life. And while events and activities have been scaled back or reinvented, everyone is still smiling, having fun, and enjoying life at Bob Hope Village and Hawthorn House.
