Nurses’ contribution to senior citizens’ health

The International Day of Older Persons, which was celebrated last Oct. 1, highlights the priceless contribution of the health care workforce, especially nurses, to the health of our senior citizens. Incidentally, this year has also been declared as the “Year of the Nurse and the Midwife,” but due to COVID-19, it is not quite the celebration our nursing leaders have envisioned.

Nevertheless, our nurses, even those who have retired, have been working hard on the frontlines to temporarily support the overwhelmed medical system, in response to calls by several governments. Many have been hailed as heroes and angels. We see the public cheering for nurses, but there is a need to correct some misunderstandings. Nurses are not angels. They are real people doing their jobs. They need adequate personal protective equipment, so they do not have to worry about providing safe care and risking their health to care for others and their family members.

Embedded in every nurse’s DNA is the ability to help control the spread of COVID-19. Our nurses know that in the health care setting, they play a crucial role in stopping transmission by frequent handwashing, avoiding droplet contact, and early identification, treatment, and quarantine of persons who may have the infection. As patient advocates, our nurses educate patients and their families. Our nurses help their patients with personal hygiene like washing their hands, using hand sanitizer, and disposing of used tissues. They also provide guidance to older persons dealing with uncertainty and anxiety.

Let us remember that our more than half a million Filipino nurses around the globe are toiling very hard to prevent the spread of the virus, enlightening the public through teaching, and even offering hope.

These words from our nursing icon Florence Nightingale resonate: “…Never lose an opportunity of urging a practical beginning, however small, for it is wonderful how often in such matters the mustard seed germinates and roots itself.” While it is disappointing that this year’s celebration meant to amplify the contribution of nurses through the years and across continents has to take a back seat, it is during this time, too, that the enormous impact of the nursing profession on patient care—particularly on older persons—is being felt even more.

Jerome Babate, president, Beta Nu Delta Nursing Society; Joel Rey Acob, dean, College of Nursing, Visayas State University

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