As
New Brunswick moves into the next phase of COVID-19 recovery and with summer fast approaching, sunnier days are ahead for everyone. The last few months certainly were challenging, especially for the province’s most vulnerable population – our seniors. “I really missed having my family in my house,” says Alice Bradford, a Kindred client in Hampton, NB. “I could only see them from a distance because they were scared to bring in any germs. I was beginning to feel very deprived.”
The 86-year-old is relieved coronavirus restrictions are easing up. “I’ve seen my grandkids again. It’s really lifted my spirits.” Alice has been a Kindred client since 2019 when she came home from the hospital and made the decision to use home care. “I definitely wanted to be in my own home,” she says.
Alice’s husband was a Kindred client until his passing in 2011. Her caregivers help her with laundry, personal care, light housekeeping, cooking and baking. They also provide much-needed companionship, especially through difficult times like this past spring.
Keeping Clients, Caregivers and Communities Safe
Helping Alice through the COVID-19 crisis was one of her Kindred caregivers, Debbie Breau from Saint John, NB. “COVID was stressful, for the simple fact that when you’re working with seniors you have to be so careful,” says Debbie. “I would never have forgiven myself if I brought something to one of my clients.” Debbie avoided even having her own family around to protect her clients. “If I wanted to keep my clients safe, we all had to make lifestyle adjustments,” she says.
In the weeks leading up to and during the pandemic, Kindred sourced its own supply of PPE and distributed it to its workforce. “My car has nothing but masks, gloves and hand sanitizer in it,” says Debbie. “I use so much sanitizer my hands feel like sandpaper. Kindred is protecting us, but they’re really protecting their clients too.”
Making the Right Match
Debbie has been working in senior care for more than a decade. “I was very close with my grandmother and I think that’s where it started,” she says. She wants seniors to stay happily, and safely, in their homes for as long as possible. A career with Kindred is a perfect fit for Debbie, who’s a true people person. “I love making someone’s day,” she says. “When I walk into a client’s home and they call me their sunshine, it gives me such a sense of accomplishment. Helping others makes me happy.”
Alice agrees: “Deb does that; she brightens the day.”
Kindred takes care to ensure its caregivers and clients are a good match from the beginning. “Kindred tries to match us with clients who have a similar personality,” says Debbie. Alice and Debbie share many of the same interests, including gardening and cooking. “My husband and I loved playing Scrabble,” says Alice. “When he died, I didn’t have anyone to play with. Every once in a while, if we have time, Deb and I squeeze in a game.”
Debbie describes Alice, a former schoolteacher and fervent reader, as ‘sharp as a tack and smart as a whip.’ “She’s the Scrabble queen!” Debbie says.
Meaningful Connections
A dedicated caregiver, Debbie’s relationships with her clients are special. “I want them to be home as long as they can,” she says. “If they have to move into a nursing home, I visit them. I’ve had some palliative care patients I’ve stayed with right to the very end. It’s sad, but very rewarding.”
Debbie’s dedication doesn’t go unnoticed – a thank you card to her from an appreciative family reads: ‘You helped make it possible for Mom to stay at home. We had no worries leaving her with you because we knew she was in safe hands. You cared for her like a daughter; thank you for being so compassionate and kind.’
As we all move slowly and safely through COVID-19 recovery and toward the ‘new normal,’ Kindred’s high standard of care remains steadfast now and into the future.
