Nursing home residents, including a 99-year-old birthday girl, receive first vaccine shot

Elota Lind, a resident of Cape Coral’s Atrium at Liberty Park, had one wish for her birthday. And It came true.

The nursing home resident celebrated her 99 years young on Monday with a COVID-19 vaccination. She is scheduled to receive her second shot in a month.

This comes one month after vaccinations started at long-term care facilities.

“I’ve had a lot of shots for travel and all that but that was a nice shot,” Lind said.

Lind said she wanted the vaccine so she can see her grandchildren.

She carries photos of her grandchildren to show them off.

The photos are nice but they don’t compare to the real thing.

“Nowadays, the way things are around here, you should have that shot,” Lind said.

The pandemic changed everyone’s way of life, especially for those living in nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

“This is supposed to be your golden years and they’re not able to enjoy the rest of the life that they have right now the way that they want,” said Steffanie Servellon, Atrium at Liberty Park’s director of wellness. “It’s just been so depressing for them.”

This shot offers not only protection but hope.

“My birthday this year is really really something because of all that’s happening … I will never forget it that’s for sure,” Lind said.