So there’s been a COVID outbreak at my nursing home, with multiple residents testing positive over the past several weeks. No, no one has died. In fact, no one is that sick, aside from one resident, a very nice lady who is pushing 90, is completely bedbound, has dementia, & is quadriplegic. I think she’ll pull through too.
Unfortunately, this means we’re back to visitation largely banned again (except for outdoor visits in 90 degree heat, if families choose - and still with masks and PPE). Group activities gone again. Obviously outings still banned. We’ve sent out residents, moved around residents to create isolation units, then removed the units because we didn’t have enough nurses to staff the isolation units (because every time a nurse tests positive they’re required to stay home for 10 days). Behavioral episodes amongst our residents are high. Everyone is tense.
I’m not sure we’re doing any of this the right way at all. It seems like the absolute havoc and turmoil in what remains of the lives of these residents isn’t really worth it. It feels like we should be doing this very differently.
Please be sure you aren't doing this the right way at all (collective 'you'). You are torturing these people to death, most especially the demented, who are already terminal and for whom, without ready access to a support person, will never have a day better than today again. I am personally bitter and a little hysterical about this issue. My husband spent 4 months in SNF 'rehab' in 2015 and ultimately died in 2017 of vascular dementia (at home). I have given thanks every single day that he was not alive to endure the 'protection' that would be offered him now. It would have killed him.
We are in perpetual “outbreak”;status as we test everyone, 2 x week regardless of symptoms until 2 weeks no positives. So it’s never ending literally. Most aren’t showing any symptoms and if they do it’s a sniffle or congestion for a couple days. I go to 6 LTC, one rehab and several AL- no one has died of or with covid since winter 2020. Late spring/summer 2020 was awful, even delta wave didn’t do that much (other than more severe symptoms and isolation making things worse). This has got to stop. Wish families would start refusing en masse to allow their family members be tested unless needed for treatment.
The reliefs in ALFs pushed by DeSantis came from the families. He didn't think it up, there was a lot of lobbying for rights!
I think that with careful discernment, followed by discussions with families, you'll create motion. Medicine is monolithic to so many and it takes time to break through that shade, but messing with our loved ones is a powerful motivator!!
In my opinion, the cost-benefit calculus argues pretty clearly in favor of older adults (70+) getting vaccinated (and boosted) against C19.
I’m a little wary about the endless boostering that seems to be required to keep our older adults “fully protected” but in this case it does seem to be ‘better than nothing.’
Thank you very much, in Europe, friends above 60 are up to 5 injections. I am sceptical ie: same vax genetically speaking still based on the first variant, they do not want to die, it seems that there is nothing worse than death nowadays even with no meaning, no purpose, only biological life. There is a very interesting doc by Doctor Anne Laure Boch on this subject. If you are interested I would be happy to translate it for you. QUAND LA MÉDECINE ENGENDRE DES HANDICAPÉS Une nouvelle Némésis médicale
I am not a medical professional at all, but I do care for many elderly family members. Please try to help the residents get some real, actual sun, each day if possible.
Another tack to stave off a bit of the emotional trauma for the residents is to get some of the clear masks or faceshields instead of the omnipresent blue face masks. Just being able to see, hear and recognize faces will help.
We are NOT allowed to wear anything but N95. period. Residents don't mask though. And new admin is threatening firing if he sees anyone not "properly masked". its a giant FU to our residents who cannot HEAR us through mask. Back from 2 glorious weeks of mask free vacation and sore throat is already back along with the perpetual headache from constantly straining vocal cords to make myself heard. Oh and had to stock up on tylenol again. Who do I sue when I develop cancer/liver failure?
Oh wow, that sucks! The headache is more likely O2 deprivation. Test you O2 saturation levels throughout the day - they go down. NOT good for brain cell outlook. It's freakin' criminal to keep anyone in a mask.
Thanks-I take frequent breaks when in an office by myself but the headache is still pretty constant (the bands to hold mask tight hurt too-no matter the mask sooner or later will make my head/ears hurt).
And we've now got massive covid outbreak at one of my NH (3 who were on hospice died with covid +) so back to isolating residents-even the ones with severe dementia/behavior issues; moving rooms is extremely upsetting, disorienting but oh well!!
Please be sure you aren't doing this the right way at all (collective 'you'). You are torturing these people to death, most especially the demented, who are already terminal and for whom, without ready access to a support person, will never have a day better than today again. I am personally bitter and a little hysterical about this issue. My husband spent 4 months in SNF 'rehab' in 2015 and ultimately died in 2017 of vascular dementia (at home). I have given thanks every single day that he was not alive to endure the 'protection' that would be offered him now. It would have killed him.
We are in perpetual “outbreak”;status as we test everyone, 2 x week regardless of symptoms until 2 weeks no positives. So it’s never ending literally. Most aren’t showing any symptoms and if they do it’s a sniffle or congestion for a couple days. I go to 6 LTC, one rehab and several AL- no one has died of or with covid since winter 2020. Late spring/summer 2020 was awful, even delta wave didn’t do that much (other than more severe symptoms and isolation making things worse). This has got to stop. Wish families would start refusing en masse to allow their family members be tested unless needed for treatment.
The reliefs in ALFs pushed by DeSantis came from the families. He didn't think it up, there was a lot of lobbying for rights!
I think that with careful discernment, followed by discussions with families, you'll create motion. Medicine is monolithic to so many and it takes time to break through that shade, but messing with our loved ones is a powerful motivator!!
Bless you for the work you do.
I do want to say thank you for bringing this issue to better light. It has been brushed off by so many for so long.
A question for you: does the covid vaccination protect well?
In my opinion, the cost-benefit calculus argues pretty clearly in favor of older adults (70+) getting vaccinated (and boosted) against C19.
I’m a little wary about the endless boostering that seems to be required to keep our older adults “fully protected” but in this case it does seem to be ‘better than nothing.’
Thank you very much, in Europe, friends above 60 are up to 5 injections. I am sceptical ie: same vax genetically speaking still based on the first variant, they do not want to die, it seems that there is nothing worse than death nowadays even with no meaning, no purpose, only biological life. There is a very interesting doc by Doctor Anne Laure Boch on this subject. If you are interested I would be happy to translate it for you. QUAND LA MÉDECINE ENGENDRE DES HANDICAPÉS Une nouvelle Némésis médicale
Anne-Laure Boch
Gallimard | « Le Débat »
2013/2 n° 174 | pages 146 à 158
ISSN 0246-2346 ISBN 9782070140763
Article disponible en ligne à l'adresse : -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- https://www.cairn.info/revue-le-debat-2013-2-page-146.htm
I am not a medical professional at all, but I do care for many elderly family members. Please try to help the residents get some real, actual sun, each day if possible.
Another tack to stave off a bit of the emotional trauma for the residents is to get some of the clear masks or faceshields instead of the omnipresent blue face masks. Just being able to see, hear and recognize faces will help.
Keep up the great work. You're not invisible. ;-)
We are NOT allowed to wear anything but N95. period. Residents don't mask though. And new admin is threatening firing if he sees anyone not "properly masked". its a giant FU to our residents who cannot HEAR us through mask. Back from 2 glorious weeks of mask free vacation and sore throat is already back along with the perpetual headache from constantly straining vocal cords to make myself heard. Oh and had to stock up on tylenol again. Who do I sue when I develop cancer/liver failure?
Oh wow, that sucks! The headache is more likely O2 deprivation. Test you O2 saturation levels throughout the day - they go down. NOT good for brain cell outlook. It's freakin' criminal to keep anyone in a mask.
Thanks-I take frequent breaks when in an office by myself but the headache is still pretty constant (the bands to hold mask tight hurt too-no matter the mask sooner or later will make my head/ears hurt).
And we've now got massive covid outbreak at one of my NH (3 who were on hospice died with covid +) so back to isolating residents-even the ones with severe dementia/behavior issues; moving rooms is extremely upsetting, disorienting but oh well!!
I'll pray for you. You're doing God's work. Bless you and please stay safe.
if the true history is ever written, Fauci will be listed as more evil that hitler