Local Boy Scout's Project Helps Make Difference At Nursing Home

Brycen Daniels Constructs Safety Barrier For Edmonson Center

L-R: Brycen Daniels presents safety barrier to Edmonson Center Administrator Chris Swihart. Michael Mills of Mills Creation in back.

Editor's Note: As part of Brycen Daniels' Eagle Scout-requirement Communications Merit Badge, he is required to send an article to a local news outlet. His family contacted us and asked if we would allow his article to be published in the Edmonson Voice and we were thrilled to do so. He has submitted the following article and above photo:  

By Brycen Daniels:
My name is Brycen Daniels. I have been in scouts since the first grade, and I am currently a Life Scout working towards my Eagle Scout in Boy Scout troop 597 in Edmonson County. I will be a Freshman in the fall.

The Covid-19 pandemic has had many diverse effects across communities in America. In my community, our nursing home has been heavily affected by the pandemic due to its residents being at higher risk from the virus. The target demographic for Covid-19 is anyone over the age of 60 or anyone with pre-existing medical conditions. The residents at the nursing home often fit into both of the categories.

During the pandemic there have been no visitors allowed. Not being able to see their families can be detrimental for some of the residents. Many of the residents have conditions that could affect their ability to understand why their families stopped going to see them in person. This causes many of the residents to become depressed and possibly have a decline in their health. Lack of visitation also deeply saddens the family members of the residents. With visitation reopening soon, they will need a way to shield the residents from potential exposure to the virus.

As a service project for Boy Scout Troop 597, I wanted to do something to help the residents. I first contacted the administrator at the Edmonson Center and found out the type of barrier and dimensions of the barrier they needed. Second, I contacted Mr. Michael Mills of Mills Creations to work with him on constructing the barrier to help prevent the spread of the virus between residents and their visitors.  Mr. Mills generously donated all of the materials for the project as well as his time in helping construct the barrier.

I finished the project off by filling in the screw holes with wood putty, sanding the barrier frame, and painting the frame to make it look nice for the residents and the visitors. The barrier has a sturdy wooden frame with a plexi-glass window so the resident can see their visitor. The barriers will also be mobile so that the staff can easily move the barrier inside or outside to accommodate for different situations. The barriers will be placed over a table so both parties can sit while they visit with their families. The table will also further separate the visitor from the resident.

The virus can be spread by respiratory droplets, thus a physical barrier and distance between residents and their visitors is key for their safety. We delivered the barrier on July 3rd to the administrator, Chris Swihart.

The nursing home is a large part of the community in Edmonson county many people have loved ones and family members in the nursing home. The Boy Scouts are always looking for ways to help out the community in any way we can.  ​