Together again

After more than three decades as husband and wife, Adam and Suzanne Jessburger were separated due to illness. Almost a year ago, during the initial wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, both were hospitalized at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC). Now the lovebirds are grateful to be together at St. Joseph’s Mount Hope Centre for Long Term Care (Mount Hope). 

They reminisce about their 35th wedding anniversary in October 2020, when staff at Mount Hope helped Adam surprise Suzanne with a flowers, chocolates and a decorative colouring book – a hobby she enjoys. 

“She is my rock,” says Adam. “I wouldn’t have survived all of this without her.”

Suzanne, 80, had just been transferred from LHSC to Mount Hope that October. She had suffered a stroke and spent a month in hospital receiving care. Adam, 85, was also transferred from hospital to Mount Hope seven months prior, after a stay for surgery to fix a fractured hip.

“We felt welcomed at Mount Hope,” adds Adam. “The staff are great to us.”

Since May 2021, more than 1,500 new and returning residents like the Jessburgers have made the transition from living in hospital to long-term care in Ontario. Long-term care facilities across the province are now expected to return to full occupancy by early September due to their safety track record during wave three of the pandemic and the administration of COVID-19 vaccines.

“We are ready and will support our hospital partners in their time of need, just as they supported us in earlier waves of this pandemic,” says Morgan Hoffarth, Director of Care at Mount Hope. “We continue to be vigilant, with increased infection prevention and control measures, including regular testing, to keep everyone in our facility safe as the pandemic unfolds.”

Morgan further explains that by working with hospitals to help facilitate quick patient transfers, long-term care has helped alleviate pressure on acute hospitals during and free up resources for intensive care beds.  

“It’s an important collaboration and an example of how long-term care continues to supports residents and our community,” adds Morgan. 

While Adam and Suzanne were not initially on the same floor when they arrived at Mount Hope, they have now been safely placed on the same unit – making being together a lot easier with COVID-19 restrictions in place to ensure safety. 

“There are some things we can’t do because of the pandemic, but the staff have made it as comfortable as possible,” says Adam. “We have virtual visits, games and entertainment. We hope for more normalcy in the months ahead.”

For today, Adam is enjoying his time with Suzanne. The couple have regular dinners together, date nights and of course – some much-needed hugging and hand holding. 

Suzanne who has limited speech due to her stroke, is also grateful that she and Adam are together after everything they have been through this past year. She also wants to remind us all just how precious life can be. “Blessed today that may not be tomorrow,” says Suzanne.