Mildred Clarke turned 100 years old Tuesday and she celebrated with a birthday party - corona-version.
While a resident of the Morning Pointe Senior Living facility in Ooltewah, she like others in such sites has been restricted from in-person visits to protect against catching the coronavirus.
But Morning Pointe has introduced so-called "visitation booths" at its 35 campuses. Due to the Plexiglas-sided, mobile booth that separates residents from visitors, Clarke was able to say hello to a number of friends and family and see decorations set up for the occasion.
Graham Matherne, a longtime family friend who took part in the centennial celebration, said that even though Clarke wore a face mask, he could see a twinkle in her eye.
"It was a total surprise for Mildred," said Matherne.
Franklin Furrow, chief executive and co-founder of Morning Pointe, said the visitation booths are an initial step in re-offering visits to its campuses.
"We recognize that families have been eager to reconnect with their loved ones," he said, adding that the new way of providing visits adheres to state health guidelines related to the coronavirus.
The booths are located either indoors or outdoors depending on state health care requirements, according to Morning Pointe. Booths are sanitized after each use and every person must wear a mask while visiting.
Mandy Taylor, senior vice president of clinical services for Morning Pointe, said the past few months have taken a toll on seniors nationwide as they face feelings of isolation and loneliness.
"Our visitation booths help reverse those negative feelings," she said. "It's wonderful to see the joy between residents and families again."
Will Brewer, vice president of corporate communications for the Chattanooga-based company, said residents have been for all intents and purposes quarantined to individual rooms with no group activities or dining.
"We knew we had to do something," he said. "We tried to figure out how to make this situation better."
Brewer said Morning Pointe came up with the visitation booths, which went up last week.
"It's as good as face to face on a meeting level that we can do at this time," he said.
Brewer said the reception has been "really good." Family members can schedule times when they can use the booths to see residents, he said.
Brewer said the booths are oftentimes set up near a door or window. He said people have to speak louder than usual to be heard due to the Plexiglas.
"Sound travels over the booth," he said.
Matherne, who lives in the Nashville area and visited with his wife and sister, said everyone would have preferred to be together for a more traditional party.
"Mildred understood that with the coronavirus situation, it wasn't going to occur," he said, adding that the party was set up by her nephew, Joe Fisher, and his wife, Susie, of Chattanooga.
Contact Mike Pare at mpare@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @MikePareTFP.
Staff photo by C.B. Schmelter / Mildred Clarke, center, celebrates her 100th birthday while meeting with long-time family friends Suzanne Matherne, left, and her sister-in-law Jo Matherne at Morning Pointe of East Hamilton on Tuesday, June 23, 2020 in Ooltewah, Tenn. Morning Pointe has set up portable Plexiglas visitation booths at its 35 campuses.