Q: What’s it like to be a CNA right now?
Lee Anna: To be a CNA right now is sad, and scary, and there are many steps taken to protect our residents. Sad because some don’t understand why they never see their families. Scary, for me, because I would never want to endanger the residents by anything I do. I go to work and home and the store only if absolutely necessary. I haven’t seen my family for two months. Right now it’s residents’ safety first. I’ve been a CNA for 42 years. This just seems like we’re all living in a bad sci-fi movie. One that hopefully will end soon.”
This new series features certified nursing assistants, or CNAs, who work mainly in nursing homes, assisted living, home care, hospitals, and hospice. Among other things, a CNA’s job is to care for elders in these environments by helping them with activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, eating, brushing teeth, and more. CNAs are unable to socially (or physically) distance from the elders they care for, and in so doing put their lives on the line everyday.
Age In America 