Long-term care staff, residents and family members are all unsung heros.
Director of long-term care for the County of Renfrew, Shelley Sheedy, says during the pandemic, staff have becomes more like families to all of those in their care.
Sheedy talks about how when COVID-19 first hit the only people allowed in to the long-term care homes were staff.
Sheedy says despite not having personal protective equipment (PPE), staff still came into work, knowing resident care is not a choice, it’s a requirement.
The Director of long-term care for the County of Renfrew says she remembers Easter weekend 2020, having evening phone calls with the province to ensure long-term care homes got the PPE they needed.
Sheedy says 1-year and 3-months into the pandemic, staff are struggling with COVID fatigue, adding there’s no escaping it.
She adds vaccines continue to be a light at the end of the tunnel and best chance of returning life to “normal”.
Sheedy says they’ve also established better relationships with hospitals and the health unit which will be beneficial with the move towards Ontario Health Teams.
Sheedy says there’s a lot of unsung heroes behind the scenes from the cleaners, to maintenance crews, human resources and admin.