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.