NEWS9 Special Assignment: The most vulnerable

MONROE COUNTY, Ohio — The coronavirus affects people all of ages, especially the elderly.

Several local nursing homes have been hit hard by the virus, particularly in Monroe County.

How has the outbreak affected residents’ mental health? And what’s being done to keep them socially active?

NEWS9's Brittany Grego is checking in on the most vulnerable.

Two residents of the Stellar Care Center who survived COVID-19 are sharing their stories, explaining how their mental health shifted throughout the pandemic.

Through FaceTime, they’re able to tell family and friends they love them. These are the moments residents of the stellar care center look forward to.

"I talk to all of my kids at least once a week," Stellar Care Center resident Faye Love said.

She’s been living in the facility for a year.

New restrictions were put in place at the beginning of the pandemic, isolating residents from family and friends.

How is she handling that?

"Not too bad, no I haven't been crying or anything like that. It's just the fact of having to be shut in all the time," she said.

As if the isolation wasn't enough, in May and June, the coronavirus made its way through the building.

"We, at one point, had pretty much the entire facility, but one resident that tested positive," Administrator Jessica Price said.

Price said despite taking the necessary precautions and wearing personal protective equipment, the virus spread among staff and residents, even Faye.

"I was pretty sick; I didn't have any appetite. I didn't even want to see food," Faye said.

Another woman in her 90s contracted the virus shortly after arriving at the care center.

"I couldn't think. I couldn't do anything, and I was so upset," resident Catherine Adams said.

Adams said she was depressed, and her mood at its lowest.

"I didn't care whether I lived or died," she said.

Her body was giving up on her.

"I had to walk all over, learn, and that was my hardest part," she said.

It was an emotional time for everyone, as they lost some residents to the virus.

"It was a large challenge, very hard, a lot of tears were shed at that time," Price said.

To lift the residents' spirits and keep them socially active, the care center had to get creative.

"We, as a staff here, we see it, we see them sad and things like that, so we really upped our activities programming as well. We do a lot of 1-on-1 visits making sure," Price said.

"We play cards, we play bingo, talk and eat good meals," Faye said.

The care center overcame adversity.

And as of now, there are zero cases of the coronavirus within the facility.

Visitors are now welcome through porch visits, window visits, or a designated area within the building.

“We make sure we monitor everyone coming in. We take temperatures, monitor for any signs or symptoms prior to coming into the facility, including all staff," Price said.

Faye and Adams say they are feeling much better.

"I was glad I was here,” Faye said. “They took good care of me."

"This is home,” Adams said. “I wouldn't want to go anyplace else."