Last year at this time, the coronavirus pandemic had just begun sweeping the nation, creating countless unknowns. The residents and staff at Welsh Mountain Home, like everyone, felt the weight of anxiety and uncertainty about the future. This tight-knit community remained committed to creating an environment of hope, even while socially distanced.


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Marvin Hershey, 77, a two-year resident of Welsh Mountain Home, agrees. “Everybody is taken care of,” he says. “I had cataract surgery and they came and gave me the drops four times a day. Tey take excellent care.”


arjory Rose is 95 and has lived at Welsh Mountain Home for two years. She contracted coronavirus


but recovered and, recently, she received the vaccine. “I was thrilled to get the vaccine,” Marjory says. “I like my life and if I can do anything to help prolong it, that’s wonderful.”


Te pandemic inspired staff to come together in unity. Staff supported each other through the worst days and celebrated the best days together as a team.


“Te pandemic took everything out of everyone,” says Sarah Albertson, Director of Resident Services. But in spite of this, residents still feel cared for and supported.


“Te staff are excellent and go out of their way to make you feel at home,” Marjory says. “Te staff are wonderful.” As a former Philadelphia resident, Marjory used to love taking walks in the city but it became a little dangerous when she began to experience walking difficulties. “I feel safe here,” she says. “All in all, it’s a wonderful place to be.” She shared that integrity as one of Landis Communities core values is lived out daily by the staff. “Tey’re very fair and will listen to you if you have a problem,” says Marjory. “Tey’re understanding. You feel wanted.”


Te COVID-19 vaccine has become a beacon of hope for not only the residents, but staff as well. “When people get sick, we realize we’ve now climbed a mountain and we’re on the other side,” says Sarah. “But morale is back. We’re coming out for activities. Normalcy is slowly returning, versus just tackling the crisis.”


“It’s getting more and more open now,” says Marvin. “For a while, we were quarantined in our rooms. We still got room service like a five- star hotel… Tey’re playing some games now in the activity room. I go outside every day and walk around the mountain.”


In spite of the pandemic precautions, Marvin still feels as though community is a value that’s fostered and encouraged by the staff at Welsh Mountain Home. “Tere’s an emphasis on building community,” he says. “Tey always call you down for activities.” Marvin appreciates this in particular, because his former living situation was less than ideal. “I wasn’t taking care of myself before,” he says. “I’d put things off until tomorrow but tomorrow never comes. But being here – you can’t ask for anything better.”


After receiving the vaccine, Marvin says he feels more content. “I feel like I won the lottery for my health,” he says.


Landis.org | FLOURISH | Spring 2021 • 9


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