Nonprofit to donate iPads for veterans at Soldiers’ Homes hit hard by coronavirus

Residents of the state’s two soldiers’ homes — hit hard by the coronavirus — will soon be able to connect with family, friends and doctors through iPads donated by the nonprofit Brighton Marine, giving veterans a way to talk while visitations are restricted.

Brighton Marine will deliver a total of 375 iPads to the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home at 1 p.m. Wednesday and to the Chelsea home later this week, said Tom Lyons, chairman of the Board of Trustees at the Chelsea Soldiers’ Home and member of Brighton Marine’s Board of Directors.

“To think that you have a veteran who has served his country and who now is alone dying without his family, that to me is very sad,” Lyons said.

The Holyoke Soldiers’ Home is facing state and federal investigations after a severe COVID-19 outbreak that has killed 71 veterans among 84 total deaths since the pandemic hit Massachusetts, according to numbers released by the state Monday afternoon. Eighty total veterans have tested positive for the virus at Holyoke, while 81 employees have also tested positive.

The Chelsea Soldiers’ Home has recorded 27 veterans’ deaths from COVID-19 as of Monday afternoon, officials said, while an additional 30 have tested positive along with 54 staff. The home sits in one of the hardest-hit cities in the state.

Lyons said Brighton bought the iPads and notified each facility of the upcoming deliveries, but he did not know if veterans were aware of the gift yet. Brighton Marine said the iPads will also let veterans talk with counselors and conduct telehealth sessions.

“I think it’s going to be a great resource for them to have some interaction not only with their families but with doctors or nurses when it comes to their health,” Lyons said.

The Holyoke Soldiers’ Home is making efforts this week to add recreational activities including doorway bingo and yoga while maintaining social distancing, spokeswoman Brooke Karanovich said in a statement Monday.

The Holyoke facility is under a civil probe by U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling’s office and separate investigations by both Gov. Charlie Baker’s office and Attorney General Maura Healey.

The Chelsea Soldiers’ Home, where 188 veterans have tested negative for the virus, is reviewing its infection control and clinical operations with experts while staff continues to undergo personal protective equipment core competency training, Karanovich said in an update.

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/2SBa3Oc