Working in geriatric care under Corona: “Fear always goes with you”

In the corona pandemic, working conditions are particularly tough for nurses. A conversation with elderly care assistant Timo Ockin-Purkott from the Rodgau social station.

How much has Corona changed your work? Please give us one or two short examples.

The virus has changed my life insofar as I have to adhere to special hygiene measures not only on duty but also in my private life; That means FFP2 mask, protective clothing for corona-positive patients as well as regular hand hygiene and tests (Covid-19 antigen). This requires very disciplined work. By restricting private, social contacts as well, processing many new situations has become more difficult. The ability to talk or discuss problems is severely limited.

Have you got used to the new working conditions or is it still like this every day that you hope the nightmare is finally over?

Yes, I got used to it. So much so that switching to normal mode will likely be a challenge again.

Interview with a Rodgauer geriatric care assistant: “Restrictions passed into flesh and blood”

How much of a challenge?

Quite simply because the immense difficulties and limitations have become so much in our flesh and blood that getting used to them will actually not be easy.

How do you master the balancing act between wanting to help with physical effort, but not being able to touch the patient in the way that would be necessary?

There is actually no restriction in physical contact at work due to Corona – not even unconsciously. The will and desire to help, even with physical contact, which is not lacking in basic care in everyday life, is not limited despite Corona.

Does it happen that customers cancel house calls from you out of fear of infection or was that just the case at the beginning of the pandemic?

At the beginning of the pandemic it happened that patients or their relatives canceled the missions out of uncertainty. However, this was only a small part and lasted about six weeks. Due to detailed information from the nursing management regarding how to deal with Corona and the fact that information is always updated on a daily basis, patients, relatives and the staff then felt visibly safer.

Interview with a Rodgau geriatric care assistant: “Fear always goes with you”

How do you deal with the fear of getting infected?

The fear always goes with you and is actually suppressed. Despite everything, one worries about the patient, his family and his colleagues, taking in and passing on the corona virus.

How high are your hopes for the vaccination campaign?

The hope is great, very great. The frequent, unexpected deaths of our patients too – especially noticeable married couples – make me very sad and speechless. My greatest wish is a return to our old normalcy for everyone. (Bernhard Pelka)

The staff in old people’s and nursing homes often reach their limits during the Corona crisis. The district administration of the city of Offenbach is urgently looking for support.

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