Nursing homes are closed to visitors, but they’re operating as smoothly as possible during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cora Basque, a cook and dietary aid at the Turnbull Nursing Home, said because nursing homes are “by the book” with safety precautions, it feels normal.
“When we enter the building, we first have to go to the nurses’ station to have our temperature taken and our cleaning staff has been working very diligently,” she said.
Basque said family members aren’t allowed in and workers are self-isolating. She said it’s great to be at work because she gets some space from the worry of the pandemic, despite some nervousness.
“I told my son that I won’t be able to see the granddaughters, and I told my mother that I’m not going to be able to visit her or my stepfather. But because I work in a nursing home, I feel it’s also my responsibility to be there and work because the residents count on us,” she said.
Basque said because she’s out and she’s working, she’s prioritizing being safe and this experience has really driven home just how essential her work is, especially to the residents.
“Most of them aren’t aware of what’s going on. Yes they are more than likely missing their family members but they see us there every day and it’s our responsibility to make sure that they’re being taken care of, they’re being fed. We have to try to make it as normal as possible,” she said.
Basque said she feels very appreciated and recognized by the families of the residents and keeps in touch with them as much as possible.
She said it’s stressful and overwhelming to not be able to see her family, but she feels it’s her responsibility to be there for the residents.
