Today was my last day at my current facility. I have spent the last eight months with these residents, these co-workers and these families. I have loved them, supported them, held their hands, hugged them, cried with them, been a ear to listen and a back to lean on. I have spent the last eight months getting to know them and letting them getting to know me.

I went around to every single resident’s room and said my goodbyes. I gave each person a handwritten card where I thanked them for allowing me into their lives, shared positive memories from my time with them and wished them all the very best.

Throughout my room to room farewells I made promises to come visit, letting them know that once all of this was over and the world has found a new normal, I would stop in to say hello. Promises I have every intention of keeping.

I spent some time with different staff members, thanking them for all of their support throughout my time there. I wanted each of them to know how much I appreciated them and the work that we did together, letting them know that no matter where I go in the future I will always have their back. That my phone number will stay the same and that if they ever need anything, they know how to reach me.

Today while driving away from “my” home, a few tears rolled down my face. As I write this blog post, the tears have come back. I’m sad, so incredibly sad to have to leave so many amazing people that I love.

Now to ensure we’re all on the same page let my clarify something, I chose to leave my “home”.

While it wasn’t an easy decision, I will be starting a new job at a Long Term Care (LTC) home just down the road. The facility I’m moving to support is COVID positive. Since I made this announcement I have received a lot of questions and I wanted to take a minute to explain my train of thought. So why did I choose to make this move? Keep reading and you’ll find out.

I currently work at a Retirement & Assisted Living Facility and while I’m sad to leave them, I’ll still kind of be supporting them at my new facility. You see, some of them actually have loved ones that currently live at the home I’m going to. This includes spouses, childhood friends and co-workers from their past.

As I went around today to say goodbye and handing out the handwritten cards that I had made each of them, I ended up with a list of names. People I’m supposed to say hello to, both residents and staff. So while I’m sad I had to say goodbye for now, they all know I’m going to support 250 other residents that need me right now. Staff that need that extra support to ensure everyone is receiving the proper love and care.

Another reason for my decision comes from my past. If you’ve read me story of what I got involved in this field then you would know its because of my grandmother. Well, the home that I am going to support was the same home that she was in at the end of her life. The unit she lived now being their COVID positive unit.

When I look at these residents, I see my grandmother. I can’t even imagine what they’re going through or what their families must be feeling. Knowing they need the support and knowing that I have the ability to help them with this fight, there was just no way that I could say no. There was no way I couldn’t join their team and help them in literally anyway that I can.

While I’ve had some messages of concern and worry, I want you to know that I have never been so sure of a decision. I know that this move is the right thing to do and that I am doing

I got involved in this profession because I wanted to make a difference, because I wanted to change life. This opportunity is going to allow me to do just that. It is going to allow me to play a small part in a very important movement. This job is going to allow me to feel that I am doing everything that I can during this difficult and uneasy time.

While I know some of you don’t agree with what I’m doing, I need you to still support me. I am doing the right thing and I am so incredibly passionate about this decision and doing everything I can to support my new residents, their families and my new co-workers.

Here’s to fighting this fight!

“How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard” – Winnie the Pooh