Life in a Care Home During the Pandemic: An Inside Perspective
The pandemic reshaped our world in countless ways, but perhaps nowhere were its impacts more acutely felt than within the walls of care…
The pandemic reshaped our world in countless ways, but perhaps nowhere were its impacts more acutely felt than within the walls of care homes. As someone who not only lived but also worked as a carer in a care home during this tumultuous time, I witnessed firsthand the profound changes, challenges, and moments of resilience that defined our collective experience.
It took me a while to put my story on paper as this story was surrounded by the death of fourteen of our clients, and also, it was just something we lived every day. Nothing to see here, let’s move along. But now, years after the pandemic, I understand the lessons I learned between the walls of the nursing home. Sometimes, it takes a few years to fully process and understand the significance of events we ‘just lived through.’
A World Apart
From the outside, a care home might appear as just another facility, but to those inside, it becomes a world unto itself. During the pandemic, this world was sealed off, both to protect its residents and to shield them from the devastating effects of the virus. This isolation, while necessary, brought with it a host of emotional and psychological challenges.
For many residents, the care home was not just a place of residence but a community. It was where they found companionship, routine, and a sense of belonging. The sudden shift to isolation disrupted these fragile networks, creating a sense of disconnection and loneliness that was palpable in every corridor and common room.
How do you explain to someone with dementia that she cannot go out to see her daughter, but that she can talk with her on the phone while looking at her from the other side of the window? It makes no sense to them. I remember their hands touching on both sides of the glass. The face of the daughter as her mother became restless and needed to be distracted by my workmates. Hugs are as essential as being fed three times a day. “Why is the nurse allowed to go outside, and I am just sitting here all day, watching the television? My daughter is right there!”
The Dual Role: Living and Caring
Living in the care home while also working as a carer offered a unique perspective. The dual role brought with it an intensified experience of both the emotional landscape and the practical challenges. Daily routines were upended as strict health protocols were implemented to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Simple acts, like sharing a meal in the dining hall or gathering for group activities, were curtailed or transformed entirely.
As a carer, I witnessed the staff, already stretched thin, facing unprecedented challenges. We became the frontline defenders, not only providing essential care but also serving as emotional anchors for residents cut off from their families. The burden on caregivers was immense, and their resilience and dedication were nothing short of heroic. We were reusing face masks and boiling inside of our plastic PPE. We were not allowed to hug our clients when they felt sad, as we had done all the years before. We needed to get really creative with people living with dementia who were infected, in order to not let them infect the entire ward, let alone the entire house.
Moments of Connection
Despite the overwhelming sense of isolation, there were moments of profound connection and solidarity. Residents and staff found new ways to communicate and support one another. Video calls became lifelines to the outside world, and socially distanced activities offered brief but precious respites from the monotony. We had people perform in the care home’s garden. One of those performances happened to coincide with my birthday. My workmate yelled out of one window that it was my birthday, and the singer immediately switched from his usual repertoire to sing “Happy Birthday” for me. People were clapping, and I didn’t mind as much not having my loved ones there. The people in the care home became my family, some of them even loved ones. Despite me not having disclosed what room I was in, one of my clients showed up at my door with a bottle of wine for my birthday. We cracked it open (don’t worry, I was off-duty), and it was one of the most memorable birthdays ever, especially me escorting her back to her own room when she was tipsy, trying to avoid my workmates like two naughty schoolchildren. We still talk about that to this day.
We also saw the banners being erected at the gates: “We love you, grandma; the people in healthcare are heroes!” Another one read: “We can do this, don’t give up!” One of the client’s grandchildren was playing her guitar on the grass. I had never witnessed such displays of solidarity, especially not with us healthcare workers. Because working in care seems to be deemed nowhere as glamorous as being a pop star or a football player.
But these moments underscored the human capacity for adaptability and compassion. Acts of kindness, whether a shared smile, a comforting word, or a small gesture, took on greater significance in the face of adversity. They became the threads that held the community together, even as the world outside seemed to unravel.
The Emotional Landscape
The emotional landscape of the care home during the pandemic was complex and varied. There were days filled with anxiety and fear, particularly as news of outbreaks in other facilities reached our ears. The uncertainty of the situation weighed heavily on everyone, creating an atmosphere of pervasive tension. The images coming from Spanish and Italian care homes were haunting us in our sleep. We tried to shield our most vulnerable clients from these images as their blood pressure was already up to the ceiling.
Yet, amidst the fear, there was also a sense of shared purpose. The pandemic forced us to confront our vulnerabilities, but it also revealed our strengths. We learned to rely on one another in ways we hadn’t before, forging bonds that transcended the physical barriers imposed by the virus. We were literally all in this together, and some of us wouldn’t make it out. I remember the impact the death of one of the care workers on another location in our company made on us. She was 45 and died in her sleep because of a lung embolism caused by COVID. She could have been all of us.
Looking Forward
As the world begins to emerge from the shadow of the pandemic and the public stopped clapping for the care workers, the experiences within care homes offer important lessons. They highlight the need for greater support and resources for these critical institutions, and they remind us of the importance of human connection and community.
The pandemic has shown us that care homes are not just places of residence but vital, living communities. They are places where life unfolds in all its complexity, where every resident and caregiver plays a crucial role. Moving forward, it is imperative that we carry these lessons with us, ensuring that care homes are equipped not just to survive but to thrive.
Conclusion
Living and working in a care home during the pandemic was a unique and challenging experience, marked by isolation, resilience, and moments of profound connection. It revealed both the vulnerabilities and strengths of these communities, offering valuable insights into how we can better support and sustain them in the future. As we reflect on this period, let us remember the courage and compassion that defined it, and let those qualities guide us as we build a better, more inclusive world for all.
I’m Rebecca Rijsdijk, a poet, psychology student, and writer passionate about social justice and equality. As the founder of Sunday Mornings at the River, an independent poetry publishing house, I strive to uplift emerging voices and foster diverse artistic expressions. The pieces posted on this blog represent my personal opinions and interpretations, not established facts.