A guest post by Farlyn Lucas Last year, as the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the United States and the globe, nursing homes around the nation became some of the deadliest, most dangerous places to be for elderly citizens. Eighteen months later, over 185,000 long-term care residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities have died, accounting for 31% of all COVID deaths in the U.S. Unfortunately, no single factor or event can explain why assisted living facilities became ground zero for the coronavirus nationwide. The deadly storm that would start to unfold in early 2020 was already years in the making. For starters, analyses of annual Medicare data suggest that…
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Thought for today
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Changing focus from withdrawal of care to comfort care
With so much death and debility caused by the Coronavirus COVID-19 over the past 9-12 months the terms “withdrawing care” or “withdrawal of care” have become notorious in health care. They’re such harsh terms for such a sacred path. The end of life should be calm and comfortable and peaceful and not feel like a dark and suddenly hopeless change of focus. Death is not an uncommon factor with COVID-19. Over 356,000 deaths have occurred in the US alone, and the staggering rate of new cases has reached over 200,000 every day in the last weeks of December and continues to rise in 2021. Nurse burnout is skyrocketing with escalating…
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Product Review:New Butter Face Mask Friction and Lip Balm
I was recently provided the opportunity to test and review a product for mask friction and lip balm from Butter Face USA. I was reluctant at first because my skin is hyper sensitive and although I do wear a mask at work and whenever I’m out running errands, I don’t wear one as much as hospital nurses do. But with the Santa Ana winds in So. CA, and the associated lack of humidity, my skin has been super dry despite applying moisturizers. I began to notice some friction and irritation and decided to give these products a good try. The balm quickly healed my irritation and softened my skin within…
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How Can Nurses Protect Their Emotional Wellbeing During the COVID-19 Pandemic?
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the lives of nurses in every country of the world. Indeed, due to the very nature of their work, nurses are usually among the first to witness the tragedies caused by this disease. Moreover, they also risk being exposed to infection whenever they treat a patient with the coronavirus. In many cases, nurses lack the appropriate protective equipment, such as PPE equipment . No wonder many of them are experiencing anxiety and emotional distress. Although these feelings are completely natural, nurses need to find ways to keep their spirits up despite the dire situation. Keeping in touch The COVID-19 crisis, particularly in its initial stages,…