We are proud to announce our CAREGiver of the month for February is Lavern T! It was March 12, 2020 when you joined our team. Not long after joining Home Instead things in our city were turned upside by Covid-19 and Saskatoon was in lockdown. It was the start of the pandemic for us, an experience we are still living with today. Those beginning days were fearful and stressful but you went straight to work seeing your first clients, understanding that seniors needed care even more in these troubled times.
As the pandemic continued, our way of serving clients changed and you became a part of a small team of caregivers who only saw clients living at the Convalescent home. We know taking on this role had many challenges, but you continued to care and show compassion and strength in serving your clients while remaining safe. You also would show support to the other members of your team, taking on short notice shifts or being flexible with your schedule to help provide ongoing care to your client.
During these times family could not visit the care home to see their loved ones. It was Betty’s daughter Brenda who expressed how extremely thankful she was for the care you gave her Mom. She expressed to us her heartbreak in being separated from her Mom and was so grateful and happy that you were able to see Betty and be there for her, being her eyes and ears and providing care when she couldn’t. We know your care for Betty brought Brenda a lot of comfort.
You continued serving even when the virus hit the care home and an outbreak had been declared first in November then again in January. At this point our team could only provide care to Nancy, extending her care needs to 24 hour care, while she isolated in her room for a month. Then caregivers needed to wear full PPE and be included with the staff and residents in weekly testing. Again, another tall order that did not phase you or your mission to support and care for Nancy as she went through her isolation.
Lavern you have shown great dedication, patience and compassion for your clients. You have shown great resolve and courage during an unsettling time in our history and it never ceases to amaze us your complete dedication and perseverance.
Thank you and congratulations on this well-deserved recognition!!
All clients names have been changed for privacy.
