Summerhill hosts drive through visitation

Friday, residents of Summerhill Senior Community lined up along the side of the road to see loved ones, sporting balloons and signs. The facility extended the invitation to loved ones to drive past and see their family members from their cars. The Perry Police Department was also involved to help with traffic and execution of the parade of visitors, even leading the train of vehicles.

Kayla Mane, Summerhill’s Admissions and Marketing Director, shared that a sister-facility had hosted a similar event, which Mane saw on social media the previous Friday. Mane said that after seeing this, she asked for the facility to do the same, and by Monday, Mane said that she was calling the responsible party for each resident to inform them of the facility’s intention. Mane said that the families that she contacted were supportive, and the idea was well received.

Mane said that the hope was that 20-30 cars would show up for the event, and at one point counted on 91, but the final number of participants proved to be higher.

“I got that and then some. I think we had almost 140 cars show up. Every employee was in tears,” Mane said.

Brandy Briscoe, Summerhill’s activities director, said that she did not expect the higher turnout either, noting that there were families that attributed multiple vehicles to the procession. Briscoe also shared that there were family members that traveled—from areas like Cochran and Hawkinsville—to participate.

Mane informed that all residents enjoyed the event, as well as being outside, since, according to Mane, the residents have been kept indoors for their safety. Mane also shared that residents really loved seeing their families.

“For them to be able to get a little piece of normal just for a few seconds, it really benefitted everyone,” Mane said. She also explained that residents understand that there is something going on and that they cannot see their families currently, and have not been able to see them for almost two months. Briscoe also spoke of the positive result of the event.

“It really touched the families and the residents, as well as the employees there. We are with the residents; I can speak for myself. I’m with them probably more than I’m with my own family. We see the grief that’s on their faces daily because they don’t get to see their loved ones. They’re used to them coming in—some of them every day. Just them being able to get a glimpse of them was so heartwarming, it was amazing,” Briscoe said.

Briscoe informed that there have been opportunities for window and FaceTime visits as well, but that those may not work for every resident, and for both parties to be able to actually lay eyes on each other did them well.

“People don’t realize how much family means, especially these days. Having that social connection with your family … for some of them, that’s their only life line,” Briscoe explained. She further informed that residents look forward to seeing their families and that the privilege has not been available to them for around six weeks.

Both Briscoe and Mane said that there was a large effort from all of the staff to make sure that the visitation went well, with Mane noting that personnel from all departments, and even those that were not working that day, came together to ensure that residents were outdoors and ready to see their families.

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