Its been almost a year since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Now, some residents at senior living facilities are slowly returning to a sense of normalcy after being fully vaccinated against the virus. "I could hardly wait when I heard the date that we were going to have the first one," says Nancy Chapman, who has been living at the Residence at Shelburne Bay for nearly a year. Chapman received her first vaccine dose in January and got her second shot in February. She says it's given her a sense of relief after a challenging year away from her fellow residents and family members."I haven’t been able to see people and go to the dining room," she says.Chapman also says she's been staying connected with family members through video calls with her daughters and grandchildren.State officials are easing restrictions starting Friday, Feb. 26, allowing residents of senior living facilities and long-term centers to gather for group activities such as dining, getting their hair done and welcoming visitors as long as residents and staff are fully vaccinated and there aren't any active outbreaks. "Our philosophy is to close first and open last. Our population is precious, it’s people's moms and dads and individuals who want to be safe, so we have an obligation to be extra cautious," says Ted Doyle, LCB Senior Living vice president of marketing and communications. He says they’ll likely wait before further easing restrictions, taking a wait-and-see approach.Regardless, it is good news for Chapman who is looking forward to reuniting with her three daughters, and the days where the pandemic will be a thing of the past, "we talk about being able to hug... she’s a big hugger," she says. Doyle says The Residence at Shelburne Bay has roughly 170 residents and most of them have been fully vaccinated. There will be a third vaccination day on Thursday, for those who wanted to wait. In the meantime, other facilities are figuring out their plans. Gazebo Senior Living in South Burlington plans to join a call with state officials on Wednesday to further discuss how to implement the new guidance.