“It’s been a tough year. I have grandchildren that I don’t get to see because of the provincial health orders. My daughter is pregnant; she’s due in July, so I’m really hoping to be able to hold this grandbaby.
I’m talking to my grandchildren through the window. I’m talking to my daughter on FaceTime or Zoom just to communicate, but we can’t be with each other. I can’t hug my children or grandchildren, and that hurts.
Being in health care and dealing with COVID, it’s hard on families and on the workers because of the risks to exposure. You can get COVID and take it home to your family. It can be pretty frightening.
As a Care Aide in an extended care home, we are often the family of the seniors because they haven’t been able to see a lot of their family members. So, we have become closer to the seniors. And I think the staff members have gotten a lot closer, and we protect each other.
I’ve been vaccinated with the first dose. It was like a flu shot. My arm was sore for a few days, but I never had any adverse effects.
It was really difficult when we had an outbreak. All the staff members on that floor had to stay on that floor. The floors were basically cordoned off, so they had no contact with anybody else. That was hard on morale. Even though we were on the other side of that door to support them and be there for them, we couldn’t be there with them. We couldn’t have lunch together or do things like we used to. We felt secluded.
I’m the type of person who gets very close to my residents and their families. When you’re in this type of work, it’s not just a job, it’s a career for me. I’m a people-person and people matter. Emotionally, it’s hard to see my seniors go through the suffering part. When they do pass on, it’s a relief that they’re not in any more pain.
I would sit with the residents when they were not well, and hold their hand. I don’t like to see someone die alone. It’s not fair.”
- Bonnie, Care Aide, part of the health care team