Over the past two months, Beth Johnstone has enjoyed a change of pace.
As part of their COVID-19 response back in March, the County of Simcoe asked county employees who had previously been working in sectors deemed non-essential to volunteer to be redeployed to essential areas, such as long-term care.
Johnstone, who worked in employment services for Ontario Works at the Orillia office, took them up on their offer.
“I’ve always liked social-work kinds of work,” said Johnstone. “That’s always been my focus since getting my diploma back in my early 20s. I’ve been attracted to working with people who are disadvantaged or struggling with something.”
Day to day, Johnstone had previously been working with people who were having challenges getting back to work. It was her job to work one on one with them to figure out strategies to help them move forward.
When the branch was closed to the public temporarily after the virus hit, Johnstone had the option of working from home, but her slow, rural internet connection prevented that possibility.
“I was eager to help with long-term care,” she said. “When I read that long-term care was in a situation that needed as many resources as possible to deal with this pandemic, I thought it was somewhere I actually could help.”
As of April 2, Johnstone has been redeployed temporarily to work in long-term care at Trillium Manor in Orillia.
“There was a lot of news coverage about the risk in long-term-care facilities of spread,” she said. “I was a little trepidatious, however – maybe it’s my optimistic outlook – there certainly were a lot of precautions in terms of PPE (personal protective equipment) that were strictly enforced. I was reassured.”
Through the redeployment program, county staff that had previously worked in any of the shuttered departments have been given the option of being re-trained to help out with some of the essential services.
“At first, the priority was to have a screener at the door when they were open to make sure anyone coming into the building and going out was feeling well,” said Johnstone. “That was sort of my first posting.”
As the situation evolved and volunteers and family members were not allowed in the homes, there was plenty for Johnstone to help out with as part of her redeployment.
“I asked if there were other ways I could help. I was sent to help with the personal support workers during mealtime to feed the residents. Sometimes the physiotherapists could use a helper (to get residents) in and out of wheelchairs,” she said.
Sometimes, residents could just use some company. In those cases, Johnstone has taken residents on small walks and talks around the facility, played cards with them, or done puzzles.
“There’s just little things like that all over the place where I can be helpful,” she said. “I often will hear a lovely story from a senior who will tell me where they grew up, some of their family history, or how many siblings they had. You hear some funny stuff.”
Johnstone had never worked in long-term care prior to her redeployment.
“This was such an eye-opener for me,” she said. “It certainly made me realize that life is finite and precious and you really want to make sure you appreciate every day you’ve got.”
Johnstone said she’s regularly been in awe of the front-line staff working in long-term care.
“They’re working incredibly hard. They know all the individual needs of their residents and there’s a lot of care and patience they demonstrate toward them,” she said.
As of June 8, Johnstone says she hasn’t yet been given a return-to-work date.
“I’m going to miss the folks that I’ve come to know here – both residents and staff,” she said. “It will be such different work (to return to). Usually I’m on a tight, tight appointment schedule with clients on Ontario Works. This has been a bit of a freeing break, however I’m also missing the clients I saw on a regular basis.”
“I’m fine with the way things are, for now,” she said. “It really has been a lovely experience.”
