At Greensburg Care Center, a barrier brings loved ones together

Before she was done visiting her husband, Linda Brigaman of Unity was asking when she could see him again.

Recent in-person sessions with him in a special booth at Greensburg Care Center have been a lifeline as regular visitation at nursing homes across Pennsylvania are prohibited during the coronavirus pandemic.

“I get to see him, and it makes me feel good,” she said. “Otherwise, I wouldn’t be able to see him at all.”

Dozens of families can see and talk to loved ones at the Hempfield facility with the help of plywood, plexiglass, baby monitors and a little creativity. Twenty-minute appointments are booked all day. Residents sit on one side of the glass while their family, friends and, sometimes, pets sit on the other.

Maintenance director Kevin Cline built the booth after administrator Herb Ross made the design based off an idea relayed by Michelle VanHorn, clinical liaison for Grane Healthcare, which owns the facility. It opened May 15.

“The smiles are beyond belief,” she said.

Photos: Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review

A sticker on the plexiglass divider is seen as as Linda Brigaman of Unity spends a moment with her husband, Jack Brigaman, 82, during a visitation at Greensburg Care Center on Thursday, June 4, 2020 in Greensburg. The custom-made booth helps protect the residents from getting any transmissible disease.

Visitors have been prohibited since mid-March, so loved ones have resorted to phone and video calls, instant messages and waves from behind windows to keep in touch. The booth allows visitors and residents to carry on a conversation that wasn’t possible with a window in the way.

“I have people that come weekly,” said Jennifer Ezykowsky, activities director.

The opportunity brightens the spirits of residents and allows for birthday parties and other get-togethers. The center has reported no coronavirus cases, according to state data.

“It’s been wonderful,” VanHorn said. “It’s definitely one of the most touching things we’ve been able to do.”

Before the prohibition on visits, Brigaman sat with her husband, Jack, in the memory care unit daily to talk to him. After, she called every day, but it wasn’t the same.

On Thursday, she brought him a milkshake and cookies. They talked about the weather, and Linda asked how he was feeling.

“This is so nice of them, isn’t it?” she said on Thursday. “I wouldn’t get to see you otherwise.”

As their visit wrapped up, Linda asked Jack when he wanted her to come back.

“I love you, I’ll see you later,” she said through the baby monitor.

“Love you, too,” he replied.

“I love you. You be careful,” she said.

“Yes, dear,” he responded.

Photos: Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review

Linda Brigaman of Unity spends a moment with her husband, Jack Brigaman, 82, during a visitation at Greensburg Care Center on Thursday, June 4, 2020 in Greensburg. The custom-made booth helps protect the residents from getting any transmissible disease while allowing family to see their loved ones in person.