In the disrupted routines and altered physical environments of the COVID-19 unit, the psychological and behavioral complications of dementia intensified for some patients. I observed first-hand the great patience, kindness, and finesse that nurses and nursing assistants display in their efforts to de-escalate and prevent disruptive behaviors.
Empathize with (and appreciate) families. Families tearfully reminded me that they had been suffering from the absence of contact with their loved ones for months; COVID-19 added to that trauma for many of them. They talked about the missed graduations, birthdays, and other precious times together that were lost because of the quarantine.
Families also prevented me from making mistakes. When I ordered nitrofurantoin for a patient with a urinary tract infection, her son called me and respectfully requested I “just check and make sure” it would not cause a problem, given her G6PD deficiency. He prevented me from prescribing an antibiotic contraindicated in that condition.
Bring forward the lessons learned. The COVID-19 outbreak has passed through our nursing home—at least for now. I perceive a subtle shift in how we continue to interact with one another. Behind the masks, we make a little more eye contact; we more often address each other by name; and we acknowledge a greater mutual respect.
The shared experience of COVID-19 has brought us all a little closer together, and in the end, our patients have benefitted.