A GOOD PLACE Over the years he has become like family. In the beginning it was rocky. He didnt want anyone telling him what to do. Now were at a good place. Since we cant touch, we high-five with gloved hands. Then I say, Dont be a stranger; if anything happens call me. I dont want him to feel left alone because I know he gets depressed when I leave.
SHOWER AND SANDWICH 11 a.m. is the end of my shift. In the hallway I spray myself, get out of the uniform and put it in a plastic bag. I throw out the masks and gloves and put on a new set. I get back on the bus and spray everything. I race home; I only have 45 minutes, so I take off my clothing by the front door, run upstairs, shower using Dettol, an antibacterial liquid soap, and get dressed. My husband has already left for work. My daughters are home. I say a quick hello and tell them I love them. I eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and drink a glass of milk and then I leave.
IN TRANSIT, AGAIN At 12:30 I catch another bus, which I take to Church Street. Then its two subways to my next job, which is at a nursing home in Queens. I look for empty cars and get in the one with the least people. Theres so much back and forth. I dont have a rest period, its overwhelming.
THE AFTERNOON GIG Im at the Midway Nursing Home by 2:20ish. Everything is sanitized again. I take my temperature to make sure I dont have a fever. I sign in and am given new masks, gloves and protective gear. There are seven floors. One is for those who have the virus. One is for people getting over it. The others are for rehab, long-term stays or my floor, which is for the elderly who have dementia.
MULTIPLE PATIENTS I have 10 patients, and I say hi to each one. Some are happy to see me; some are in bad moods. For the next several hours I run around attending to everyone. I do check-ins, find out who needs a shower, who is getting what for dinner and make sure everyone gets dressed for bed. The staff on my floor are really nice. Everyone is there to help. Its the only way to function well.
BEDTIME At 9 everyone gets a snack: Jell-O, banana, yogurt or ice cream. Bedtime is at 9:30. After I put everyone to bed, I do computer work for the next 90 minutes and log in who got a shower and who ate what.read more
How a Home Health Aide Spends Her Sundays
