Vaccinations For Our Heroes
Written by: Yaffa Liebermann, PT, GCS, CEO
We are extremely humbled and honored to be able to provide continued therapy that our therapists in nursing homes. In these moments of uncertainty there is always one thing we can count of it: the loyalty of our therapist to their patients.
The global coronavirus pandemic has affected our families, our businesses, our communities, and our way of life. Our hearts go out to anyone who has been impacted by the virus, either directly or indirectly. Through this collective experience we have also discovered a new and resilient strength in community values through the inspiring and selfless action of people coming to work every day to care for patients, knowing that that day they could be infected with the COVID-19. Some of our therapists were infected, some got it mildly and lost their sense of taste and some were hospitalized.
Many therapists were sad because they lost residents who became part of their lives. Suddenly those patients are no longer rolling their wheelchairs in the corridors and giving a smile to anyone who walks by. The corporate offices were in constant contact with each facility to offer help and advice as needed. All the therapist who got sick recovered and returned to work.
The staff at Prime Rehabilitation Services wear double masks, head covers and gowns so that they can provide skill care of Physical Therapists, Occupational therapists, and Speech Language Pathologists. They are heroes who do their job in these chaotic times in a steady and supportive way for the patients. They understand their important role in the recovery process of the affected individual. The patients were extremely weak and sometimes disoriented, having problem to stand up from the bed and to walk, dress and challenged to chow and to swallow. Our therapists were in their room guiding and practicing with them until they got strong and were able to go back home.
The health workers in nursing homes and the hospital staff work together with first responders and got priority to get the vaccination. They needed it and deserved it. They were in the front line serving the sick and needed and knew that it might affect them, and they did it despite the uncomfortable feeling on if/or when the virus will attack them.
They are the heroes in this pandemic and without them we would not conquer the deadly virus. It was a great decision to vaccinate them first and as we observed they stood in line to get the vaccine rested as instructed for 15 minutes and went straight back to provide care to the patients.
We love you, health professional and appreciate above and beyond words for caring for the individual who needs it.
Together we are stronger.
Awesome job by healthcare workers in LTC despite the cards they were dealt. All should be proud. We all mourn those patients we lost.