Exceptional immersion in a nursing home affected by coronavirus: “They no longer have the strength to fight” – © All rights reserved
–
It’s a place now cut off from the world. For several weeks, the doors of the rest home “Le Christalain”, in Jette, have been desperately closed. No one can enter it except the nursing staff. And exceptionally, our team.
–
–
To ensure safety, we put on an almost complete suit. Mask, gloves, blouse. All our equipment is disinfected. We can then cross the doors of these corridors isolated from everything. Behind the doors of the rooms, residents are confined 24 hours a day. More meals in the common rooms, more activities, more family visits, more physiotherapists, more walks in the park. Not even a walk in the corridors.
–
–
A golden prison
“What we lack is air. No matter how open the window, we don’t have air” describes Arlette. “We can just go around our room” smiles Yvonne. “We are locked in a golden prison” Gabrielle concludes. The director does everything to maintain the possibilities of escape. Virtual gymnastics lessons, videoconferences with families, reading the newspaper via interposed televisions. But nothing can replace human contact.
–
–
“I’m old enough to go”
Every day, the nursing staff meet to take stock of the evolution of the situation. A dreaded ritual. So far, 2 confirmed cases of coronavirus, 2 deaths, 10 suspicions. Residents are worried, but resigned. “I’m old enough to go and so is my husband. What scares me is that all this beautiful youth is going away. I’m old … but not them” describes Arlette, her eyes wet. “My husband experienced war. It was much more dangerous. But here, too, it is dangerous. It is more insidious. It strikes you … When you think of all those who lose their loved ones … It is painful ” she adds, her voice sobbing.
–
“There is no longer any motivation to stay alive”
Sick patients no longer have the strength to fight. “Their only life force, their only way to survive, was to see their family, their grandchildren. Now there is no motivation to stay alive. They don’t want to fight anymore” deplores Steve Doyen, director of the nursing home. “We feel helpless” explains Rahman, nurse. “A week ago, they were fine … then everything is getting worse.”
–
“This is the first time we have seen a coffin enter the home”
In two weeks, two people died with suspected coronavirus. They died alone. Without being able to hold the hand of their family.
“This is the hardest part for us, the nursing staff. When the first patient died, they brought the coffin to the nursing home. It shocked us” moves Shirley, head nurse.
They sealed the coffin, and his son was unable to see his body for the last time. How would you like to grieve? “
–
–
A sign of the exceptional situation, Médecins Sans Frontières is taking over the premises to train staff in hygiene measures. “I have always worked abroad, for Ebola, for cholera or in conflict zones. It is the first time that I have been sent to Belgium, at home. It is a particular emotional burden” describes Stéphanie Goublomme, project coordinator.
–
–
The specter of exhaustion
Much needed help to reassure staff. “What scares me is that the number of cases is still increasing. The staff is gradually getting sick. What scares me is that we can no longer ensure the quality of care, for lack of material, lack of staff ” explains Shirley.
Absenteeism has already reached 40%. “The staff is extraordinary. But the disease is there. It’s not easy to get everyone on the front lines. We need masks, disposable gowns, visors, but especially arms ” adds the director.
For the moment, these personnel are going to the front without arms. Rahman distributes meals to infected Covid 19 patients with a simple mask and a pair of gloves. No glasses, no protection for shoes. He hopes only one thing: not to contaminate his pregnant wife.
–
–
The director fights body and soul to get equipment. He had to ring all the doors, call on all his friends to have a small stock of masks, gloves, and soon visors. “Fortunately there is this solidarity”.
During our shooting, a citizen comes to bring sixty masks in fabrics, sewn by volunteers. “It’s the greatest gift” Shirley smiles. “With that, we may be able to allow residents to do even a lap in the hallway.”
–
–
This solidarity is the driving force behind these heroes in white coats, on the verge of exhaustion. This is what gives them the strength to put their health at risk to take care of the elderly who need us so much.
–
