The first wave of Indiana National Guard soldiers are scheduled to arrive at a dozen local nursing homes starting Monday.
Gov. Eric Holcomb announced the move Oct. 28 across Indiana at a weekly press conference in Indianapolis.
Indiana National Guard Adjunct General Dale Lyles said last week that 399 guardsmen will go to 133 hard-hit nursing homes and longterm care facilities Monday. On Nov. 9, that total will grow to 750 in 250 facilities, increasing to 1,350 in all 534 facilities by Nov. 16.
Their job is to free up staff for patient care by helping with infection control and monitoring cleaning high touch areas like door handles, virus prevention checklists, data entry, testing registration, staff and visitor screenings/wellness checks, he said. They trained at Camp Atterbury last week, Lyles said. The assignment is scheduled through Dec. 31.
Each will get a COVID-19 test before their arrival, and will be regularly tested and monitored. They will also get personal protective equipment.
“Indiana National Guard troops are well trained and ready to assist with keeping long term care facility residents and staff members safe and protected during this health crisis, just as we do during other types of domestic emergencies,” he said.
Troops will arrive based on the facility’s need if high (Phase 1), medium (Phase 2) or low (Phase 3). Facilities in Phases 1 and 2 will get three guardsmen each, stationed from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., according to the Indiana Health Care Association. Facilities in Phase 3, would get two guardsmen each, Monday and Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Wednesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
During the pandemic, the Indiana National Guard has provided help at places like testing sites, food banks, and state prisons.
As of Nov. 2, National Guard were scheduled to arrive at:
Cedar Creek Health Campus, Lowell
Great Lakes Healthcare Center, Dyer
Healthcare Center at Wittenberg Village, Crown Point
Park Place Health and Wellness Center, St. John
Rehabilitation Center At Hartsfield Village, Munster
Symphony of Crown Point
Chesterton Manor
Life Care Center of the Willows, Valparaiso
Symphony of Chesterton
Valparaiso Care & Rehabilitation, Valparaiso
Golden Living Center – Fountainview Terrace, La Porte
Golden Living Center – LaPorte
Nov. 9:
Crown Point Christian Village
Dyer Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
Hammond-Whiting Care Center, Whiting
Munster Med-Inn
Sebo’s Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Hobart
Symphony of Dyer
Golden Living Center – Valparaiso
Life Care Center of Valparaiso
Miller’s Merry Manor, Portage
Nov. 16:
Aperion Care Tolleston Park, Gary
Colonial Nursing Home, Crown Point
Golden Living Center – Merrillville
Lake County Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, East Chicago
Lincolnshire Health & Rehabilitation Center, Merrillville
Lowell Healthcare
Miller’s Merry Manor, Hobart
Simmons Loving Care Health Facility, Gary
South Shore Health & Rehabilitation Center, Gary
Spring Mill Health Campus, Merrillville
St Anthony Home – Crown Point
Aperion Care Arbors Michigan City
Life Care Center Of Michigan City
Miller’s Health & Rehab, La Porte
Addison Pointe Health & Rehabilitation Center, Chesterton
Avalon Springs Health Campus, Valparaiso