HOLYOKE — No local story signaled the arrival of the pandemic more than the coronavirus outbreak at the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke.
When news broke in late March that veterans were dying of COVID-19 inside the facility, no one anticipated what would unfold at the 247-bed nursing home. In less than two months, 76 veterans would die with the virus while more than 80 employees were infected.
The Gazette put Holyoke beat reporter Dusty Christensen on the story immediately. Over the past nine months, the newspaper published more than 70 stories related to the outbreak, some of them groundbreaking and all of them chronicling the severity of the situation inside the facility and ongoing news developments.
The outbreak sparked state and federal investigations, charges of criminal neglect against the former superintendent and medical director of the Soldiers’ Home, a class-action lawsuit, resignations, and painful stories of loss from families of veterans heard by state lawmakers in hearings at Holyoke Community College.
As the pandemic unfolded, other nursing homes across the country also were reeling with deadly coronavirus outbreaks, including the Soldiers’ Home in Chelsea where there have been 31 deaths of veterans who tested positive for COVID-19.
But what happened at the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke was different. Strong evidence suggests poor decision-making and a breakdown in communication between Soldiers’ Home administrators and state officials exacerbated the crisis. In addition, staff, veterans advocates and former Soldiers’ Home administrators had for years been raising concerns about chronic understaffing that went unheeded and a lack of funding that contributed to a deterioration of care.
The story is far from over. A Soldiers’ Home veteran living at the skilled nursing unit at Holyoke Medical Center died this month after testing positive for the virus. And as of Dec. 29, three more veterans who tested positive are not clinically recovered, according to state officials.
But there are signs of progress. The problems at the Soldiers’ Home have finally got the attention of state and federal officials. There is a plan moving forward to improve the physical conditions and quality of care at the 70-year-old facility. There is new leadership in place, including on the board of trustees. The home in recent weeks installed a new permanent deputy superintendent and interim superintendent.
One of the brightest moments of the year came Tuesday when veteran residents and staff began receiving COVID-19 vaccinations. The first resident was Robert Aucoin, 78, Airman 2nd Class, U.S. Air Force.
As the new year turns, there are some simple pleasures we hope the veterans, many of whom have significant health needs, will enjoy.
While visitation is still suspended, on New Year’s Eve, recreation staff in the home are expected to go room to room with eggnog, sparking cider and snacks. Veterans will be treated on New Year’s Day with homemade cinnamon rolls in the morning and a chicken cordon bleu dinner, shrimp cocktail, and ice cream, along with a virtual concert by Home Base, according to the state Executive Office of Health and Human Services.
For all these veterans have been through, that is certainly a better start to the new year.