A whole new world, for now

in_need_of_direction

Since yesterday afternoon, I have had a ball of anxiety lodged within.  I attended an information session on Coronavirus and the type of preparation needed in a residential setting.  In my role, addressing this is down to me and I’m not sure that I’m equipped.  Until yesterday I thought that it was enough just to be sensible but the message I got was when not if.  Yes, our service users may have underlying health issues but most of the issues relate to addiction and mental health.  I can’t see the read across to underlying health conditions but now need to consider the impact of isolation on an addict.  I’m just not equipped but staff look to me to provide the answers and it’s scary.

on other news, two different clients both pressed panic buttons yesterday and I’m seeing one today at ten having been in touch with the other yesterday.  I need to work methodically and get in structured list making and tackling mode.  I wish I had people to whom I could confidently delegate.  Yesterday I had to go in search of 2 staff who were required to attend the talk.  Even though they knew the start time, I found them having a smoke break that they finished up before attending.  Seriously? 

Right need to pull on those big girl pants and crack on while trying not to let people see how frightened I am of doing the wrong thing.  

Today I am grateful 
that dh isn’t faced with the same issues. At least he can be a dispassionate sounding board 
for a reduction in the interest rate.
comfort food of scrambled egg on toast for dinner

beanielou

I don’t envy you. 

Keep plodding 😊

Seasidegal58

Hope everthing calms down for you inod.  I do feel for you .

Cherryfudge

It's a difficult situation - working with vulnerable people myself we will see a different slice across the problem as their needs are different but it has to be taken seriously.
I think this is partly where social media comes to the fore - at least we can facetime and so forth so it's not quite solitary confinement. The other thing that springs to mind is increasing resilience: there's a lot about it on the Internet but those things that help us get through everyday life need to be identified and provided and people encouraged to use them, whether it's music, sleep, exercise... whatever. Perhaps set up some sort of challenge or competition if possible to encourage people to exercise in their rooms? Of course that may not be appropriate but it may help to research along these lines (in time you will struggle to find, sorry).
I took the second course on this list and found it helpful. I notice it's running again soon but probably not soon enough to be of immediate use to you. This website might also be of use and I may be able to dig out more links from he course given time.
Meanwhile Beanie's advice is applicable. Keep plodding.   If you can't confidently delegate, delegate anyway and be prepared that you may need to tie up loose ends but that is less of a task than doing the whole job. (As for the two delegates who finished their smoking break...! :0 Perhaps leave them and mark them as non-attendees next time?)

in_need_of_direction

Unfortunately there is no WiFi available to our residents.  The staff are restricted to using the reception machines and there are 4.  As for the smokers, it was to attend a session on Coronavirus from the health staff who support our residents! 

Yesterday was calm enough but I was still being pulled in two many directions.  I stayed late but this meant that I got my own cheque signed for last month which is great.  Only one more payment anticipated before the end of the tax year.  

We also got a refund of one of the direct debits from the car service contract company who no longer trade.  The bank aren’t being reasonable about the other two and I’m not happy with their response.  

Last night I did a tiny bit of stocking up by way of a loaf to freeze and a pound of butter along with the few things I’d gone to buy.  On my way home however I realised that a £1 off a £5 spend was expiring so I detoured to that shop and bought potatoes, ice cream and chocolate.  If we need to self isolate potatoes and ice cream fall into the essentials category.  I also got a repeat voucher valid for 10 days.  Interestingly the first supermarket had very little fresh meat available but lots of washing up liquid that was on offer.

right, I’m off to see what joys are brought by today.  I have to drop some stuff to the recycling from the client.  The plus side of the necessary cleaning frenzy is that people are now asking if there is a need to hold onto stuff.

today I am grateful for 
continuing good health
my sister being able to source my favourite 50p a jar jam that I haven’t been able to find in ages
a colleague volunteering for a task that means I shouldn’t have to go into the client on Saturday.  I just need to persuade the dog to have a lie in

Seasidegal58

Glad you at least got a refund on one of the DDs.

Chips and ice cream sundae sounds good!

HairyHandofDartmoor

Coronavirus is a lot to take on board. If you found out as much information as possible then at least you can make informed decisions. Ultimately we can only follow the advice of the NHS etc.

Have you noticed much stockpiling where you are?

in_need_of_direction

I am scared and can’t admit it anywhere else.  As of Friday, one of the service users has self isolated in one of the facility’s shared dorm.  It was down to me to make the decision, make the arrangements and put the cleaning arrangements in place including buying a steam cleaner and being part of the cleaning team.  As you all know I have an underlying health condition or two.  The staff aren’t aware of this and need to see me lead from the front.  The two night staff cried off as it’s apparently too high risk for them so three of us covered the fri night / sat morning shift with me taking the 3 - 7 bit.  I’m not sure for how long I can sustain this.  I am secretly pulling together an up to date hand written will as I’m now seeing this as a possibility.  I’d like to think I’m being ridiculous but what if I’m not.  

I’m also so annoyed at dh’s public sector employer. He could do 80% of his work from home but they have yet to go that route.  

Yesterday after some sleep we went to makro in search of long life bread.  They had none. However I did buy bleach and toilet roll that I shared with the sister who makes sure my mum is sorted. Biscuits were also purchased for the dog.  Obviously I am not calling to see my mum at all.  I also sent dh to my sister’s house while I waited in the car as she has very regular contact with her daughter whose baby is expected in early May.

until this landed on my actual doorstep, I was convinced that there was mass over reaction.  Now I struggle to breathe.  The absolute irony is that we all believe that the person self isolating fabricated the story to the helpline. We initially put him in an interview room while we made arrangements and in over 2 hrs, there was no cough that he claimed was one of his symptoms.  That has continued.  He has yet to request so much as a paracetamol despite being isolated since Friday with no access to any medication.
he did however ask about how we will manage his smoke breaks!  

Right, I’m going to go have another cuppa and then clean the kitchen.  I am getting out the old vacuum sealer and am going to portion up a big packet of bacon to hopefully reduce the tendency to add an extra slice just in case.  

Today I am grateful for 
the efforts of the staff who pitched in.  They were outstanding 
there being others on hand to help out with my mum.  I don’t know what I would do if I had to manage that risk.
a freezer, something it’s so easy to take for granted

beanielou

I have no idea what to say. 

Sending lots of love. Xxx

jwil

Remember you need to look after yourself as well.   What is the contingency if all staff are sick?