Tyler Thomson, a care aide at The Hamlets in Westsyde, has gone above and beyond to make the residents' lives better during the COVID-19 pandemic (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Chad Klassen

PANDEMIC HEROES

HEROES OF THE PANDEMIC: Care aide brightening everyone’s day during COVID

Mar 15, 2021 | 4:13 PM

KAMLOOPS — It’s been one year since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. There have been two-and-a-half million deaths worldwide. Case counts are at 120 million around the globe. It’s pushed everyone to their limits in the last 12 months, but through it all there have been people to step up and make other’s lives better. Monday begins a week-long series called “Heroes of the Pandemic.” Chad Klassen recognizes people have gone above and beyond in the community. The first installment profiles a care aide at the hamlets who has enhanced the lives of residents there during a difficult time.

With a giggle here and there, Tyler Thomson brightens everyone’s spirits at The Hamlets.

In a challenge year, during which the long-term care facility experienced a positive COVID-19 case, Thomson has been a bundle of joy.

“I do put an effort into being super positive, bubbly, and light, and really try to bring joy to people in this time,” she said. “I know it’s super difficult, and some days I’m better at it than others.”

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It’s a spirit is contagious and rubs off on all her colleagues and the residents.

“Tyler has the most incredible attitude. Her approach to challenges is so optimistic that it instills confidence in everybody — her co-workers, her teammates, all of the residents. When they’re around Tyler, you can see the joy in their faces,” said Hamlets GM Bob Attfield, who nominated Thomson to be recognized.

Tyler works as a care aide, taking care of all men. She has seen first-hand how the pandemic has taken a toll on the residents’ mental well-being — isolated from family and friends.

“They don’t have a lot of interaction with anybody but us,” she noted. “Before, families could come in, and now it’s more coming up with ideas like FaceTime and stuff like that to try and find alternatives for our residents.”

Working on an all-male floor makes it challenge to come up with fun activities, but she has been creative in thinking about ways to keep them entertained.

“She sets up hockey nights for the gentlemen. They sit and they enjoy a hockey game together,” said Attfield. “They do bowling in the hallway, which is absolutely awesome. They do bean bag tosses. They watch old shows on MeTV — Gunsmoke and all of those favourites that our residents love to watch.”

Now that all residents and staff have been given the opportunity to be vaccinated, Thomson and the team at The Hamlets is more optimistic than ever during COVID.

But if there’s one thing that won’t change beyond the pandemic, it’s Thomson’s bubbly personality and desire to make her patients as happy as can be.

“I’m definitely going to stick with how much positivity I put out. I’ve seen how much I’ve had to up the level of that and how the residents have responded positively,” she said. “I know I’m going to stick with that and try to engage my residents more and continue that.”