Trending
If more energy was focused on offering support and encouragement rather than pointing fingers and pontificating on fault, we would all be better off. I refuse to defend our work to people who are outside our walls. I will explain and continue to be transparent, but defend as if we have done anything wrong? Nope.
The long-term care field plays a vital role in our health care system, and yet we are often treated unfairly. The media would lead you to believe we are super spreaders of COVID-19; however, new research suggests quite the opposite. According to a recent study highlighted in the Kaiser Health News, more older adults who lived outside of nursing homes died from COVID-19 than those who lived in long-term care settings. This may be surprising to most because of the amount of attention focused on nursing homes; they look at us in the long-term care industry as the enemy.
It's easy to play armchair quarterback, especially now when so much of the information out there contradicts itself. In the moment we have to continue to rely on known information, common sense, and instincts. I'm a big believer of doing the best you can at the time with the information you have in front of you. We may not always make the best decisions, but without a doubt our decisions are always made with the best intentions. Quick responses can make a difference with fighting COVID, we know this.
Currently we are in an outbreak (defined as three or more cases) in one of our assisted living neighborhoods. We will never know how this originated and it doesn't really matter. What matters is we are working hard to control the spread and care for our residents who are positive. Criticism or blame chips away at the armor we have donned over the past 18 months. All of us in long-term care come to work every day with this invisible suit of armor on. The caregivers, nurses, and all employees who support the work we do are still in the fight. We don't need to be questioned; we need to be supported. Even during times where we don't have any positive cases the uncertainty is still here hanging over us.
The current workforce crisis didn't bypass long-term care. We are at a critical need for employees. During this time when the pandemic is still happening, long-term care is surviving. Those of us who have stayed in the arena deserve your respect and admiration. Let me be clear, this isn't about me, this is about the thousands of long-term care employees who have followed their passion for serving the people who are unarguably the most vulnerable to this virus. Many have chosen to leave the field. We have seen this locally and across the country. The war is still on despite what you may hear or see. We are still fighting.
The stakes are still high. The vaccine has been a great weapon but the fight remains. The symptoms may not be as serious as they were pre-vaccine; however, there is a still a threat and we must respond. If you would like to know how you can help, I would say stop questioning and offering your uninvited opinion and start encouraging. Reach out to your friends who work in long-term care and check in. While life in some aspects has returned to "normal," in long-term care expectations remain extremely high.
Protecting, serving, and caring for this population is an honor, one not many understand unless you live it. The silver lining continues to be when the history books are written about the pandemic, long-term care employees will not be to blame but will be respected and revered.
Julie Thorson is president and CEO of Friendship Haven