I’ll say at the start that my daughter sometimes gets a little overboard when it comes to drama. But she may not be doing that now. These are stressful times that have been made more stressful by poor leadership in the country.
Business Office Manager
She has been in the skilled medical care profession now for about 10 years, working first as a non-certified care provider in a dementia-dedicated home for the elderly. Then she obtained her Certified Nursing Assistant license and worked in several nursing homes. She also has been an assistant in the rehabilitation therapy area.
After finishing her degree from the University of Phoenix online, she was promoted to administrative assistant in a management training program. About six months ago she became Business Office Manager, where she keeps the books and works on Medicaid applications with families. She also is the HR director as part of the job.
Loves Every Patient
My daughter Molly loves each and every patient at the nursing home and was described by the CFO of the company that owns a small chain as “the glue that holds this place together.” She is always available to help patients and their families.
She is quick to take part in activities that have been arranged to help the patients stay entertained since they can’t see their families just now, and the Facebook page for the home reflects the efforts of Molly and the other staff members. They are just exactly the kind of people you would want caring for your own loved ones. But she’s terrified the virus will find its way into the home.
I’m Glad She’s There Because of My Mom BUT
I’m glad she is there because my mother is at the same nursing home. This way she can check on her several times a day when she can have no other visitors.
BUT I’m not so glad because the coronavirus could enter that nursing home in many ways. It could come in through the three shifts of personnel working there, even though they check the temperatures as each walk in to start their shifts. It also could enter through the many suppliers of foodstuffs, medical supplies and cleaning materials.
All Wearing Masks
Everyone at the nursing home must wear face masks while at work. My daughter also slips off her clothing in the laundry room when she comes home and slips on a robe.
She Cries Most Nights and Isn’t Sleeping
My daughter is dedicated to her profession and is now in a masters program in gerontology. She hopes one day to be the administrator of a nursing home. But what she faces now is terrifying to her. I’m sure co-workers feel the same. The virus has stayed out of the nursing home so far. But my daughter says if it comes, she will sleep at the facility rather than expose our household. She is terrified of that aspect.
And what my daughter is experiencing is much the same as that of healthcare workers around the country. I admire her dedication and wish there were something I could do to relieve her stress. I have suggested she phone her physician to see about stress-relief medication.
I’m Confined to Home
My husband and I are confined to home. However, my husband who suffers from dementia isn’t taking this as seriously as the rest of us. The other day before I knew what was going on he left to go get a take-out gumbo.
I feel like I am monitoring my 6-year-old grandson, while trying to get him to do his at-home school lessons, and also monitoring the movements of my husband. Taking the car keys? Wow! That will be a battle.
National Stay-at-Home Order
We MUST HAVE a national stay-at-home order. And we must get someone other than Jared Kushner involved in the distribution of the personal protective equipment and ventilators. Dr. Fauci and Dr. Birx now seem to be begging for the national order. But the president just isn’t biting. And the president seems to be satisfied with a number of deaths topping 100,000 to more than 200,000. Just think of that!