Casmir Caregiver Shines During COVID-19 Pandemic (Part 2)
“The thing I worried about most was when the individuals would have to visit their families,” she said.
Once Philadelphia started opening up, the individuals could visit their families for brief periods. Daisy considered this a challenge because she was concerned that they would not adhere to the cleaning routines that she had incorporated into most of the activities she had prepared for them.
Daisy did their laundry twice a day, took their temperatures, and ensured they had their masks on when it was time to go outdoors. She taught them handwashing games, and they spent a lot of time at the kitchen sink washing dishes even though they were already clean. She did all this to reinforce their habits and show them how important it was to clean certain things thoroughly to guard against the virus.
After their time at home, Daisy and the staff had to reinstate what they had taught the individuals. Daisy hoped that while they were away, they were adhering to what she had taught them. “So when they came back, we had to pay extra attention to sniffles or runny eyes and noses, and we had to keep them partially separated if they had roommates,” she stated. For Casmir caregivers, it has been a matter of staying vigilant. Thankfully, there have been no relapses, and no one has become sick again. All the individuals are doing well.
Daisy openly shares her experience with COVID-19 because she wants to give a clear picture of how this disease affects both individuals and medical professionals. While in the hospital, Daisy felt that the diagnostic process started slowly. “The nurses and doctors would constantly ask me, ‘Do you have symptoms?’ and I would look at them with a blank stare sometimes because I had already said that I could barely walk and that I had difficulty breathing,” she explained. However, Daisy quickly realized that she needed to keep her composure because the situation was also new to them. The doctors and nurses were dealing with the virus on a day-to-day basis, just like Casmir Care was. They were learning something new almost daily, as was the rest of the world. Their repeated questions about her symptoms allowed medical professionals to update the information that they already had about COVID-19. “I can attest that it [COVID-19] is bad,” she stressed.
“While I was on the medication they had prescribed me, I would go to the doctor every week for check-ups. Almost every time my medication would have to be changed or adjusted because my pre-existing thyroid condition was an issue,” she said.
Another reason to consider Daisy a hero is because of the way she pushed through without being able to see her family. She was also alone while recovering. “My children all live in Virginia, and I haven’t seen them since the lockdown,” she revealed. Being away from her daughters and grandchildren would sometimes take a toll on her, but taking care of her individuals at Casmir Care makes her feel less lonely. “I go to work a lot because I don’t want to be home alone and think of how badly I want to see my grandchildren,” she said. Daisy’s 8-year-old grandson’s TikTok videos put a smile on her face when she comes home from work. She says it’s all she will watch. It brings tears to her eyes when he mentions her name in those videos.
As tough as it has been to be away from her family, Daisy is doing what she loves as a caregiver with Casmir Care Services. “I am truly happy with what I am doing,” she exclaims. “The management, the employees, and the individuals have always welcomed me with open arms.”
Daisy may not see an individual because she is working at a different house. “The individuals make me feel special. I might not see some of them for a while,” she says. “But when that individual sees me, they still know who I am, and that is the best feeling! It’s like you’ve grown inside of them, and they’ve grown inside of you. Their smiles make you want to be at work all the time!”
