CaregivingFamilies and ChildrenHospiceMedicalMental HealthSenior Health

In a COVID World, Family Can Be a Motivation

It’s no secret, COVID-19 has changed the world we live in. From mask mandates, to hand sanitation stations on every corner- we as a country have started to adapt. Maybe no career has had to adapt more than that of a healthcare worker. This month we spotlight, Jeremy Waun, Director of Nursing at Phoenix Home Care & Hospice.

  • What got you into nursing?

Nursing kind of runs in my blood. I have multiple family members who are nurses, and the thought of being able to educate and assist with the needs of others in their most trying times sounded fulfilling. It gave me a purpose, and I am always looking for a purpose in life. Nursing has been filling that void for the past 13-years.

  • How has COVID changed what you do?

It has changed all aspects of our patient care. Being a home health & hospice nurse, we’re going into people’s houses daily. You have to have a heightened awareness of surroundings in the home, infection control measures, and being more aware of the mental health and wellbeing of our patients during isolation. We have become even more in tune with the people we serve. Outside of the day-to-day operations, it was also an adjustment wearing PPE (personal protective equipment) on every visit. We want to keep all the people we serve and our clinicians healthy, so well worth it, but definitely an adjustment.

  • What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced during these times?

The biggest challenge I would say was the unknown. Trying to educate patients and staff without having all the answers. We are always trying to stay informed with factual information to help guide clinicians and patients with confidence. Fortunately, Phoenix created a COVID-19 Task Force that keeps us all up to date with real-time information and guidelines. There is still a lot that is unknown, but we are feeling better and better, day by day.

  • What are your hopes for the future?

My hope for the future is for my daughter to live in a society full of innovation, love, and stability.

 

Phoenix Home Care & Hospice

2945 SW Wanamaker Dr., Suite B

Topeka, KS 66614

785-260-6444

www.phoenixhomehc.com