Juggling Life as a Nurse/Caregiver For Casa de Modesto hero [ heer-oh ] a person noted for courageous acts or nobility of character a person who, in the opinion of others, has special achievements, abilities, or personal qualities and is regarded as a role model or ideal Most days, the profession of direct care to the elderly feels like a calling – it is the most essential, impactful, rewarding type of work one might enter into. As nursing staff and caregivers respond to the needs of these often frail individuals, they begin to experience the importance of their job. Providing a safe and secure environment for these individuals to live in. The need to be more than just a Provider of Care with regards to physical needs, but also often emotional, social, and spiritual support and encouragement as well. But nurses/caregivers often carry emotional and physical “battle scars” as they go through their daily duties at work as well as at home. Guilt of not doing or being enough for those they care for; frustration with required changes when stability is so important for one’s own emotional stability let alone the stability of those they serve; regulatory challenges that make it nearly impossible to do the job that was laid on their heart in years prior as they entered into school to try and make a difference in the world of care and safety for those they support on a daily basis. These “battle scars” need their own recognition and healing which often comes through validation and affirmation of those around them, acknowledging the amazing commitment and gift they give to those they care for in spite of the return on their investment.
Thank you so much for working so hard every day to make sure others are able to receive the care they need to be safe and secure in our senior living environment at Casa de Modesto whether it is in Skilled Nursing, Assisted Living, or our Memory care unit. I appreciate all your hard work. I send my prayers out for all nurses/caregivers, daily. It’s very thoughtful of you to be out there risking your own health/lives to protect the lives of others. Thank you again for juggling responsibilities at home and at work to try and help society be a better, healthier place. It is our aim to support you and to celebrate you as our heroes here at Casa de Modesto! We acknowledge the efforts and the scars that may come from this, and you are appreciated!
Blessings to you all, Curt Willems, Executive Director Casa de Modesto
I’d like to thank those who have chosen to serve and care for our senior population that might be afflicted with the virus here at Casa de Modesto, even though the mere act of caring for them may put themselves and their loved ones at risk for exposure. I’d like to thank those who run towards the line of danger as the rest of the world is called to retreat into the safety of their homes under the auspices of isolation and quarantine. This was not a battle you signed up for as a direct care nurse/ caregiver, but it is one for which you’re taking up arms and fighting regardless. Again, Thank You! I’d like to thank our staff who give of themselves daily, not only to our Senior population, but also, back home, to their own families as they try and juggle “overtime” and sometimes “double shifts” with homeschooling, bandaged knees and elbows, meal making and sometimes as a single parent all by themselves or because spouses are unavailable because of their own jobs or fear that they may get what the staff member has been exposed to at work.
Keeping our Seniors Healthy & Safe
(209) 529-4950
1745 Eldena Way, Modesto CA 95350 www.casademodesto.org Serving the Modesto area since 1965. Casa de Modesto has all levels of care and is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) community. RCFE#500300107, SNF#100000019, Tax ID#94-6050221
AUGUST 2020 6
SALUTETONURSES
