Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, March 2, 1990 TAG: 9003023265
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BETTINA ACZEL STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Other residents also keep essentials such as clothes, medicines, eyeglasses and dentures where they can be reached easily in case they have to get out of the building quickly.
These are just some of the ways Shenandoah Homes residents are learning to deal with the December fire that left four people dead and damaged the retirement center. Group sessions organized by Family Service of Roanoke Valley helped residents discuss their fears and feelings about the fire so they can better cope with the trauma.
Alison Aylor, a social worker for Family Service, said many of the residents experienced post-traumatic stress after the fire.
"We don't expect a tragedy like this, so when it happens, it's distressing," Aylor said. If the residents fail to get over post-traumatic stress, they may face chronic physical problems and debilitation later on, she said.
Aylor conducted the sessions with Marsha Huddle, a registered nurse who is working toward her master's degree in social work.
Formal group counseling sessions began after Aylor and Huddle were contacted in January by the League of Older Americans, which informed them that the residents were returning to their homes.
The first sessions included educating the residents about post-traumatic stress, and letting them share their feelings and their stories about what happened on that night in December, Aylor said. The second sessions were designed to check up on the residents as well as allow residents to again share their stories and experiences.
"Some people came to the second group who didn't feel ready to come to the first group," Aylor said. About 140 residents attended the sessions, she said.
The Rev. Russell Wilson, chaplain for Shenandoah Homes, said the residents have been receptive to the sessions. "There was a comfort, a rapport," he said. The residents "just slid into this like they've known each other for 150 years."
Although no more formal sessions are scheduled, each resident was given a pamphlet from Family Service and phone numbers to call if they need further counseling, Aylor said.
"We want them to go on with their lives, kind of set them free. Our goal is to help them begin to recover and begin to cope."
And the Shenandoah Homes residents say that with the help of the sessions, they have begun to do just that.
"I think anytime you talk about something it helps you get it out of your system so you can go on," resident Laura Dudney said.
Keeping busy also has helped the residents cope with the fire.
"I felt it to be a good thing if we got back together right away," resident Esther Croall said. The residents are planning a bake sale and a bazaar, and birthday parties are held the second Monday of every month for the residents whose birthdays fall in that month.
The residents also are preparing themselves in case of another fire.
Wilson organized a group of residents to discuss what should be done to make the residence safer. They decided that each resident should have an emergency kit with clothes and other necessities nearby, and residents who have disabilities should be placed on the lower floors of the building, Wilson said. In addition, the building needs to be equipped with a method to help disperse smoke.
"Smoke can be as deadly as fire," said resident Douglas Howll. Howll, an architect, suggested that vents on each floor of the building would help reduce the smoke considerably. The residents also decided there needs to be a uniform procedure for the evacuation of buildings and homes in the city, Wilson said.
Despite reports that chastised the Fire Department for arriving at the scene of the fire 20 minutes after it started, the residents had only compliments for the firefighters and volunteers who helped them.
"It made me know there are many people who want to help you," Dudney said. "They were just good to us all the way."
"They even warmed our feet," resident Irene Akers said. "I'll never forget that."
Volunteers also helped get the apartments in Shenandoah Homes ready for the residents' return.
"It was quite a delight for me to come back to a clean apartment," resident Ruth Dillon said.
"I never had as much hugging in my life as when I came back," resident Mamie Duffy said.
by CNB