As the COVID-19 pandemic puts strain on our long-term care, assisted living and independent living providers right across Canada, it’s the staff on the frontlines within our care homes who have truly risen to the challenge. They have become some of the greatest heroes in Canada’s battle against the coronavirus.
However, we rarely hear the voices of who are working in our care homes, and the many ways they are making a difference.
In the message below shared in a Facebook post, a staff member at Abbotsford’s Menno Place described why their fight against COVID-19 is unlike many others within the healthcare sector, and how these individuals are going above and beyond to protect and comfort seniors in care.
The staff in nursing homes arenāt fighting the same battle that the other nurses and doctors are fighting against COVID-19. Our battle looks a lot different.
We are fighting to protect our elders from the outside world. Weāre fighting against depression and loneliness. We are fighting boredom and confusion caused by dementia and Alzheimerās. We are fighting frustration of family members not being able to visit and families who feel disconnected and fear for their loved one.
So until this crisis is over, we will give comforting words and do our best to create fun activities that can be done safely. We will hold the iPads and phones so loved ones can see their elder who in unable to communicate and reassure them everything is okay. Staff will visit daily and provide reassurance, pray, seeing, or just be there to comfort them. We will put on smiles even when our heads are pounding, we are overwhelmed by all the new regulations and added documentation, and we are fighting worry ourselves.
We will do what we can to make sure the outside world stays āoutsideā and our elders stay safe. ā¤ļø
Report by Global News Hour
For another perspective on what’s happening in B.C.’s long-term care, assisted and independent living residences, see this recent report by Global BC’s Linda Aylesworth. You’ll be glad you spent just under 2 minutes watching this. When you bang your pots and pans at 7pm, please recognize our seniors care workers too.
