Cindy Merritt, LCSW

RVNAhealth

Hometown: Kent, CT

What have you have been doing during this time?  This time has been overwhelming at times due to the increase in our patients.  While teleconferencing may be favored by some, it is especially hard to come to know patient and their family members remotely.  However,  we have risen to the challenge and have been able to serve our patients and families with much support through this time.

What are your personal highlights and lowlights of this time?   A personal highlight from this time has been the discovery of getting things done despite the changes to our normal.  I discovered creative ways to visit grandchildren from the street and leave surprise packages for them at their doorsteps.  A low has been the business of our workload and not feeling like I could get it all done.

Are there any changes or introductions you’ve made to your life that you plan to hang on to once ‘normalcy’ resumes? When “normalcy” resumes I probably will continue with limited stops at the grocery store, planning ahead has served us well in many areas.  And I have reduced my “news watching” to once a week; I plan to continue with that schedule.

If you had to describe this time in one word … ?   This has been a peculiar time; different for each of us yet we can all relate to our individual challenges.

One of the fun activities from this time has been a weekly challenge from my niece for us each week.  Our family mascot is a duck. Yes — we have a mascot. One week our challenge was to create a duck.  That’s my duck in the photo with me!