By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

Elders living in a locked-down facility where family cannot visit is, in the words of one nurse, “heart-wrenching.”

Nursing homes and assisted living centers in the county are coming up with creative ways for residents to stay in touch with family members.

Sonja Gore, registered nurse at St. Luke Living Center, said some residents are talking to their loved ones through the window of their room.

Staff members are also helping residents keep in touch with the outside world through videoconferencing programs such as FaceTime, Zoom, Skype, and similar programs.

“I know the family members have been calling more,” Gore said.

Gore said a no-visitors policy to ward off COVID-19 spread to nursing home residents is hard on both residents and their families.

“It’s hard on so many people,” Gore said. “Our elderly people need the support. It’s heart-wrenching.”

Salem Home in Hillsboro suggests that children and grandchildren make homemade cards to send their grandparents.

Salem Home also recommends texts and calls from relatives, and communicating through FaceTime or similar computer- and smart phone programs.