Monday, May 17, 2021

Essential Caregivers in a Pandemic

 This pandemic has been hard on everyone.

We're very lucky with Lizzie's nursing home. The people are almost always kind and caring with her, even when they're understaffed.

Lizzie wasn't eating well during the early part of the pandemic and she wasn't thriving. Sis and I were declared essential caregivers to help her out.

This means we can go and visit her at meal times to help her get more fuel into her system.

It's made a huge difference for her. She's eating more and has regained the weight she lost. She interacts more with the staff even when we're not there. That one-on-one attention with us has helped.

We're lucky.

When we enter the home, we need to have proof of a negative COVID swab from the 4 previous days (which means we've had COVID swabs every 4 days since before Christmas). We wear a mask and a face shield. If there is a potential issue in the home, we wear full PPE.

Lizzie was taken aback by the masks and shields at first.

Photo by visuals on Unsplash

She'd want to know why we were wearing blue makeup. She'd ask who we were. She'd say we looked awful.

It didn't take too long for her to get used to it, but it makes me wonder what her reaction will be when we don't need to wear the masks and shields anymore.

Will the change throw her off again? Or will she slip back into recognition of our faces?

Only time will tell.

How have you been coping with the lockdowns?


2 comments:

The Purple Assassin. said...

Lockdowns have taken a toll to be honest. However, I guess we're all doing what we can to get through. The mental stress can be especially puzzling. I don't know if its good or bad but I've started writing again, even when it scares me a little bit.

I just wish we could do something to say thanks to all those working tirelessly to keep everyone safe. <3

Lovely blog you've got here. Good to have stumbled across it!

Jemi Fraser said...

Thank you Purple!
The past year has been incredibly difficult in so many ways - expected and unexpected.
I'm glad you're writing - it's one of the things that helps me cope!
The front line workers have been extraordinary!