INSIDE A NURSING HOME DEVOTED TO TREATING THOSE WITH COVID-19

In 2020, nursing homes were extremely hard hit by the coronavirus, with more than 40 percent of deaths in the United States linked to these facilities. To limit the spread, states like New Mexico established dedicated homes to treat long-term care patients infected with the virus. Inside these new facilities, patients are isolated, but not completely alone. The New York Times got a rare glimpse inside one of these nursing homes, where residents and the providers who care for them struggle with the effects of the virus.

“Thank you for caressing my dad’s head,” said Lillie Ortiz, as she watched from her home in Santa Fe, N.M., as Maika Alvarez, a certified nursing assistant, moved her gloved hand over her father’s forehead.

Jose Montoya, a 94-year-old World War II veteran, had asked if his daughter could visit his room. He is hard of hearing, so Ms. Alvarez wrote on a dry erase board: “Your daughter cannot come in here, but we can try to call her.”

“Are you happy now, grandpa?” asked Ms. Alvarez, with her hand on Mr. Montoya’s chest when the call ended.

With its beige walls and fluorescent lighting, the Canyon Transitional Rehabilitation Center, nestled in the foothills of the Sandia Mountains, has all the hallmarks of a nursing home. But except for the occasional medication cart, or a nurse working silently at a keyboard, the hallways are empty. The doors of all 44 rooms are shut tight. Every resident at Canyon has Covid-19. Since April, there has been no bingo, nail hour or birthday cake sliced and distributed at communal tables. Residents sit in their rooms for 24 hours a day. The dining room has been converted to a socially distant break area for the 18 nurses and 27 certified nursing assistants. Ms. Alvarez, who is originally from the Philippines, draws on her experience with foster children to care for older adults with the coronavirus. “You learn who likes to be touched,” she said. “Touched to feel safe.” In April, after 19 people died from the coronavirus at an Albuquerque retirement community, New Mexico partnered with Genesis HealthCare, which operates 25 nursing homes in the state, to convert Canyon to a long-term care facility for patients infected with the coronavirus. Since the spring, 251 patients have been discharged. Thirty-two have died, including Mr. Montoya. “Time was of the essence, in terms of mitigating the spread of Covid-19 in long-term care facilities,” said Katrina Hotrum-Lopez, secretary of the New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Services Department, who worked with the governor’s office and the state’s Department of Health to establish the facility.

“C.N.A.s are literally inches from the residents,” said Angela Dobra, a nurse at the facility. “You can’t make someone emotionally comfortable without exposure.”

She said colleagues often ask why she chose to work in long-term care rather than in the hospital setting. “Nursing homes are continually overlooked.”

Full text available through the New York Times.

Juanita Lujan, 94, who has COVID-19, looks out the window of her room at Canyon Transitional Rehabilitation Center, a skilling nursing facility for residents of long-term care who are COVID positive, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Maika Alvarez holds an iPad, as Jose Montoya interacts with his daughter, Lillie Ortiz, via Facetime. “It’s difficult for those of us family members. We are crushed by the helpless position we are in. We cannot hold our loved one’s hand and comfort them by our presence. The only thing that reaches them is our prayers because they are quarantined behind locked doors,” said Ortiz. “It isn’t until Covid hits a nursing home that you see the snowballing effect of its unpredictability and of its devastation.”

A certified nursing assistant takes Sierra’s, 24, who has Covid-19, temperature at Canyon Transitional, an entirely Covid positive nursing home in Albuquerque. Canyon Transitional, like skilled nursing facilities around the country, is not only home to those 65 and over. About 15% of nursing home residents are individuals with disabilities. Sierra is developmentally disabled. Sierra and her parents lived in Gallup, in McKinley County, the hardest hit area in New Mexico.

Leslie Riggins, 66, who has COVID-19, in her bed at night at Canyon Transitional Rehabilitation Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Leslie, a former public school teacher, contracted the virus at another nursing home where she resides in Albuquerque.

Certified nursing assistants sits in the hallway.

Paper bags hold masks individually packaged for the nursing staff.

Mr. Montoya, 94, in his room with his face covered.

Angela Dobra, a nurse, taking a break outside the facility.

Jose Montoya, 94, in his bed.

Rogelio Ramirez, a certified nursing assistant, tending to Leslie Riggins.

Leslie Riggins holding on to her oxygen line.

Sylvia Martinez, a certified nursing assistant, adjusting the blinds in Leslie Riggins’ room. “My family was worried about me,” said Sylvia, who has diabetes and congenital heart failure. “I would want someone to take care of me.”

Sorala Kahn, 62, praying before her lunch. Ms. Kahn, a former nurse, learned she had Alzheimer’s disease two years ago.

William Vanwinkle, Sorala Kahn’s partner, drops off breakfast or treats every morning. “She’s my baby,” he said.

Alice Begay, 84, sitting in her wheelchair.

Maika Alvarez leaving a patient’s room.

Alice Begay holds onto a photograph of her granddaughter.

Sierra Cowboy lies in bed at Canyon; her father shared a room with her before he was released.

Mr. Brown, an occupational therapist, worked with Ms. Cowboy as her roommate watched. Residents can be a support network for one another.

Sierra Cowboy doing rehabilitation exercises with help from Blane Brown, left, and Rebecca Salas.

Leslie Riggins in her room.

Isadora Kosofsky

Documentary Photographer & Filmmaker