A home care aide often forms an emotional bond with a client, according to Dr. Patrice Mareschal, an associate professor for public policy at Rutgers University-Camden. At times like this, those bonds get tested.
For example, the sessions change and the client often doesn’t understand why.
“When you have to start, for example, wearing masks, that can cause a little bit of discomfort on both sides because then the care doesn’t seem quite as personalized,” Mareschal said.
One issue that predates the pandemic is one of compensation. Many aides are not paid much and the added pressures these days makes it extra tough on some of them, which is why she said it’s important for aides to take time for themselves.
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“Make sure that, in addition to caring for others, they take good care of themselves,” she added, “and they allow for some down time from the job which is difficult right now because people are getting called in to work extra shifts and to have extended shifts.”
That might include talking things out with a colleague or a mental health professional, if the employer offers that option.