Family is the most important thing in Jean Nedrig’s life.
But for several months, she has been unable to see the faces of her relatives without masks, plexiglass or windows separating them.
Thanks to an Omaha-based nonprofit, Nedrig has been able to connect with her family via video calls during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Lincoln woman is one of more than 300 seniors to benefit from Facebook Portal devices provided by the Dreamweaver Foundation.
The foundation, which started in 2012, fulfills dreams for seniors with lifelong or chronic illnesses. Many of their dreams are centered on childhood memories or reuniting families.
“We create memorable experiences around lifelong dreams,” said Cheri Mastny, the foundation’s executive director.
When the pandemic hit, officials had to revamp the way things worked. Concerts were canceled. The Henry Doorly Zoo was closed. Restaurants were serving takeout only.
Board members realized they could connect seniors in the greater Omaha area with their families via video call devices. The Facebook Portal proved to be the most cost-effective option at $179 and the easiest for seniors to use, Mastny said.
The devices look like a photo frame and feature large buttons and a large speaker on the back. The camera automatically keeps everyone in focus and can rotate when a person moves.
Initially, Mastny said, organizers weren’t sure how the devices would be received. But as requests keep rolling in, they have seen there was a need.
One senior uses it to call her grandson who is deployed overseas. Other nursing home residents use it to chat with each other over lunch since they no longer can convene in the facility’s dining room.
“People are using it in ways that we never even thought,” Mastny said. “The value in seeing that your loved one is happy and OK brings peace of mind. A lot of that can be hidden over the phone.”
Nedrig, who has breast cancer, decided to stop chemotherapy earlier this year when the treatment stopped working as effectively. Her family connected with the Dreamweaver Foundation shortly after that.
In March, Nedrig spent time in rehab for a broken pelvis. The 93-year-old was able to connect with her family only through window visits and phone calls. When she moved into High Plains, a memory care facility in Lincoln, after her rehab stint, her family couldn’t even help move her in, daughter Robi Kroger said.
“When it gets closer to the end of your life, you probably realize that a lot of the things — trips and activities — aren’t as important,” Kroger said. “What is really important is family and making sure that you can still connect with your family.”
The family was able to coordinate some FaceTime calls when staff had a few free minutes. But the Facebook Portal has made scheduling much easier and has relieved staff of having to juggle phone schedules, Kroger said.
Despite a struggling memory, Nedrig still recognizes the faces of her family, Kroger said.
“Even though it’s not face to face, it’s a good thing,” Kroger said. “As much as we hate to not see her and not hug her, this is out of everyone’s control.”
Kroger said they try to have two or three family members on a call and talk to Nedrig four times a week. On a recent call, Nedrig was able to see her great-great-grandson for the first time. Staff at the memory care center helped Nedrig fix her hair and makeup for the call.
Seeing her mom has given Kroger peace of mind.
“We’re not the only ones going through this. Thousands of people are going through the same thing, not being able to be with their loved ones,” Kroger said. “If there is a silver lining, it’s that this technology is available. A phone call is one thing. A video is quite another.”
Our best staff photos of August 2020
Football season returns

Millard West takes the field for the start of the Elkhorn South vs. Millard West football game at Millard West High School in Omaha on Thursday, August 27, 2020. Elkhorn South won the game 30-28.
Football season returns

Millard West cheerleaders perform before the start of the Elkhorn South vs. Millard West football game at Millard West High School in Omaha on Thursday, August 27, 2020. Elkhorn South won the game 30-28.
Volunteer

Chester Cavitte sweeps the sidewalk in front of Dreamland Park on north 24th Street on Tuesday, August 18, 2020.
Heron

A heron flies over the Elkhorn River on Tuesday, August 25, 2020.
Protest

SeaSea Stark of Omaha raises her fist at a protest at 72nd and Dodge Streets.
Vet Funeral

A member of the Air Force Honor Guard holds a folded flag at the funeral for Nicholas Baker at the Omaha National Cemetery on Friday, August 21, 2020.
Union Omaha

Union Omaha's Elma N'For, left, celebrates a goal by Sebastian Contreras in the first half to tie the match against Forward Madison FC.
Lake Fun

A man wakeboards through light fog last week on Carter Lake.
Ernie Chambers

About 100 people show their support for State Sen. Ernie Chambers on Thursday, the last day of his last legislative session, outside the Nebraska State Capitol.
Softball Preview

Papillion-La Vista pitcher Jordyn Bahl, left, and catcher Brooke Dumont have played together since they were freshmen, going 106-4 in their first three seasons. “They know what the other one is thinking without having to say anything. They’ve always had that,” coach Todd Petersen said.
Homeschool

Tesla Badger, 4, plays at home, which is also the village co-op. Her mom, Crystal Badger, volunteered use of her home in exchange for child care. Mary Ensz created this mural on the basement wall.
Education Co-op

Sofia Jawed-Wessel makes time for art every day with her children, from left, Laith, Haizel and Paloma. The family keeps to a tight schedule.
Old Market Protest

Connie Jones, of Omaha, and about 20 other protesters call for defunding the police and supporting Black Lives Matter in the Old Market in Omaha on Friday, August 7, 2020.
Old Market Protest

About 20 protesters call for defunding the police and supporting Black Lives Matter in the Old Market in Omaha on Friday, August 7, 2020.
Disc Golf

Ben Peters takes advantage of the mild weather to practice his disc golf putting at Elmwood park on Monday.
Educators Mask Mandate

Bruce Jones, right, a middle school teacher, and his husband, Taylor Frank, carry signs during a Monday demonstration at Memorial Park by Omaha area educators demanding a mask mandate before returning to classrooms.
Educators Mask Mandate

More than a hundred people attend a Monday demonstration at Memorial Park by Omaha area educators demanding a mask mandate before returning to classrooms.
Bounce House

Charlotte Nunn, right, celebrates her 4th birthday with a bounce house and her sister, Lydia Nunn, 2, in their Omaha front yard on Monday.
Union Omaha

The sun sets over the North Texas SC vs. Union Omaha soccer game at Werner Park in Papillion on Saturday, August 01, 2020. It was Union Omaha's inaugural home game, part of a shortened season because of the novel coronavirus pandemic. Union Omaha on won the game 1-0.
Union Omaha

Union Omaha players celebrate on the field following the North Texas SC vs. Union Omaha soccer game at Werner Park in Papillion on Saturday, August 01, 2020. It was Union Omaha's inaugural home game, part of a shortened season because of the novel coronavirus pandemic. Union Omaha won the game 1-0.
Union Omaha

Union Omaha players kneel and raise their fists during a moment of silence for racial justice before the start of the North Texas SC vs. Union Omaha soccer game at Werner Park in Papillion on Saturday, August 01, 2020. It was Union Omaha's inaugural home game, part of a shortened season because of the novel coronavirus pandemic. Union Omaha won the game 1-0.
Union Omaha

Union Omaha's Rashid Nuhu and North Texas SC's Ronaldo Damus come down to the ground after colliding in midair near the goal in the North Texas SC vs. Union Omaha soccer game at Werner Park in Papillion on Saturday.
Pinnacle Bank Championship

Ryan Schaake, left, watches his son Alex Schaake putt on the first hole during the Pinnacle Bank Championship at The Club at Indian Creek on Thursday.
Pinnacle Bank Championship

Seth Reeves kisses his trophy after winning the Pinnacle Bank Championship on Sunday, August 02, 2020.
Sourdough bread baking

Ferial Pearson uses rice flour to highlight her intricate designs on sourdough bread. The UNO professor has been making bread while at home social distancing.
Grind It

Jared Beckenhauer skateboards in Seymour Smith Park on Wednesday in Omaha.
Metro Baseball

The hat falls off of Five Points Bank's Danny Spongberg , left, after he tagged out KB Building Services' Cole Payton after Payton got picked off in the third inning during the American Legion Metro tournament final at Millard South on Friday, July 31, 2020. It was one of two pickoffs in the inning.
Metro Baseball

Five Points Bank players celebrate their 6-3 win over KB Building Services in the Metro postseason tournament final Friday at Millard South. “It was nice, especially for our five seniors,” Five Points Bank coach Pat Mooney said.
Search

Omaha Police Officer Dan Torres and his police dog Peace search for evidence Friday after a man was fatally shot near 45th and Miami Streets.
kelsey.stewart@owh.com, 402-444-3100, twitter.com/kels2