The first year of COVID was a roller coaster of emotions and procedures. The hardest part of dealing with the unknown is the constant changes that come about as more and more gets learned.
New admission isolation
So regardless of the situation the new admissions needed to get therapy. That’s what they were there for. So the initial protocol was a whole hallway was reserved for new admissions to allow for 14 day isolation periods from the hospital.
Due to what was available at the time they had to be treated as if they were positive for COVID. So all precautions were taken. We were treating in full PPE using N95 masks, faceshields, gowns and gloves. All materials were at the entrance to the hallway and you were to be fully ready when going past the fire doors.
All treatment was performed in room and all the equipment we needed had to be easily cleaned and carried in and out with us to be disinfected. Luckily in my facility all the rooms were turned private rooms and gave us some decent room to work inside. This still made it difficult for walking with limited distances available in the room without turning completely around.
A little more freedom after 14 day isolation
After completing the 14 day isolation they were moved out to another room on another hallway. This made it a little easier as we were not needing to be in full PPE anymore. We were now able to treat with only a surgical mask and eye protection.
Unfortunately everything was still done in room only, which continues to give challenges to address walking. You really learn how to focus on functional movements in room going from bed to chairs and to the bathroom. All the while focusing on turning and paying attention to objects in the way.
The biggest challenge of the year was taking care of the long term residents
In room treatment was surely a challenge for us while treating short term rehab residents that were still in private rooms. The real challenge was the long term care residents that are in a semi-private room. Suddenly you really have minimal room to work in.
You really learn to set yourself up where there is enough room to set up the wheelchair and have enough room to have a rolling stool for yourself. You might have them between the beds and yourself at the foot of the bed.
It’s not too bad when they are able to perform exercises without you needing to help them move with your hands. When that happens it’s time to be a contoursionist.
Walking is also not fun. Many short walks with focusing on each step and posture. Whatever you can do to help them out.
A tough year but a learning experience
There was definitely some challenges in the first year. It was very depressing to come back to our large open gym and see not a soul in it. Nothing but silence. The isolation was not only the residents but for us also. Hard to have a fully rewarding day when you don’t even interact with your colleagues anymore. No more lunches together or interacting during treatments with the residents involved also. All the fun conversations and joking around was all silence.
We definitely lost some therapists along the way as they either changed careers or changed to different types of settings. But I think in the long run, those that did make it through became better therapists and truely belong in a skilled nursing facility. I think the experience and adversity significantly improved the therapists that remained and our profession is better for it.
