Excerpts from Kathryn Koehne, RN | Director of Nursing & Operations
As the coronavirus crisis spread across the globe over the past several months, sending families into isolation and disrupting nearly every aspect of life, Crescent Cove has remained steadfast in providing care for kids with life-threatening conditions at the Crescent Cove Respite & Hospice Home for Kids in Brooklyn Center, MN. The conservative, cautious and creative approach implemented by Crescent Cove has allowed for consistent, uninterrupted service to our kids and families in 2020.
Leadership and staff at Crescent Cove vigilantly observed the rising data and followed guidance from public health experts and governmental leaders. Careful investigation, deliberation and discernment led the leadership and board of directors to make the decision to keep our doors open and continue serving our children and families.
As a healthcare facility caring for medically fragile children, there are already strict infection control standards in place, but the decision to have only essential staff onsite led to a cascade of other changes. All Respite & Hospice Home volunteers went on indefinite hiatus. We paused some of our integrative therapies, and music therapy is offered virtually. The leadership staff switched to telework. The nursing assistants, nurses and house manger remained onsite to ensure that care continued – safe and secure.
The world outside of the Home was whirling with uncertainty and fear. The predictability of life changed abruptly as cases of the virus crept closer to home. However, we remained committed to being a safe haven for our families and if needed, for the community at-large. Staff carefully screen all who enter the Home - themselves, the families and children to keep our setting free of the virus.
Crescent Cove serves families and vulnerable children who face unpredictability every day. A sense of social distancing and isolation is part of their normal, everyday life. And they live not knowing when an unanticipated crisis may occur. The Coronavirus added yet one more challenge. Knowing this, we wanted to extend support and reassurance.
Crescent Cove did not affix a sign on the door: “Closed due to Covid-19.” In contrast, we called families and said, “We are here for you.”
As one nurse, Andrea, describes it, “working at Crescent Cove during this pandemic has been a light in a dark time. I look forward to coming to work to not only bring joy to the children, but also fill my own cup by experiencing the joy, love and happiness of the kids! Their paths have been paved with hills and mountains, yet they still only have unconditional joy in their hearts and I think everyone needs to experience that positivity during this time and every day.”
