Seeing holiday decorations going up around town gives me an initial feeling of, well, anxiety. For three years we have experienced a different set of challenges that now accompany our modern-day holiday craze — it’s Covid and flu season. Rather than push those anxious thoughts down and bury them, I have learned to use my heightened sense of fear to fuel our community’s planning for infection control.
Memories form the last three years are studded with some stressful situations during the pandemic. However, I also want to make the effort to remember the good moments we created: our caregiving team working double shifts with compassion; Banging pans at sunset to say thank you to frontline emergency personnel; family members dropping off supplies of paper towels that were in short supply; friends making home made masks and gowns (we still use the super cute gowns!); outdoor and Zoom family visits; Creekside Cottage family members calmly helping me navigate the chaos of our healthcare system; my State licensing analyst calling me daily while sick with Covid at home in December 2020; and many messages of support.
In a culture where we have repeatedly been shown and told to fend for ourselves to survive, I find myself having to push back with the instinct to keep building community. It’s ultimately what got us through it all.
We are currently wearing level 3 medical grade or KN95s at work and will move to N95s directly following Thanksgiving (earlier if needed). Please check in during visits for any postings that recommend wearing masks. Washing hands or using sanitizing gel before and after visits is always encouraged. Air purifiers are on in our gathering areas. We are cooking with tons of vegetables and fruits to boost our immune systems. I have also posted our infection control plan for anyone who wishes to see it in detail.
Wishing for some helpful tips to cope with the holidays as you navigate this busy time with your loved one? Check out Teepa Snow’s Dementia Journal below.
Wishing you all a lovely Thanksgiving,
Kelly
October 2023 Online Dementia Journal – Positive Approach to Care