A CARE home worker from Helensburgh has opened up on the heartbreak of seeing elderly Covid-19 patients succumb to the cruel virus, and the loneliness of having to isolate from family and friends during lockdown.

The young woman, who we are choosing not to identify, has spoken exclusively to the Advertiser to share her story of the trauma of coronavirus from the front line.

Having taken on a role at a local care home earlier this year, the woman, who lives in Helensburgh, has quickly found herself in a nightmare scenario, with the number of deaths from confirmed coronavirus in care homes growing at a rapid rate daily.

While three out of four Helensburgh care homes contacted by the Advertiser during April said they had not had any coronavirus cases – with the fourth stating they would prefer not to comment publicly in fairness to families – in nearby Dumbarton and Clydebank reports are far more bleak.

Around half the people to have lost their lives in West Dunbartonshire where Covid-19 was mentioned on their death certificate have died in care homes, with MSP Jackie Baillie calling for urgent action to be taken to protect both staff and residents.

READ MORE: Our older people have been let down by authorities during pandemic, says Jackie Baillie

Meanwhile the family of a 94-year-old man who died from coronavirus have raised concerns over the running of the Clydebank care home he was living in, as they suspect that is where he contracted the illness.

Our source told us there have been several deaths linked to the virus at her workplace.

"I’ve not been working there too long and I was told to try not get too connected to residents," she said, "but I’m only human and chatting to them every day you can’t help it.

"Many residents who were so bright and chatty deteriorated quite quickly then passed, which is a shame and was quite shocking as the weight just dropped off them.

"The virus showed up different in every resident as some couldn’t move and barely ate while others were still up and walking."

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The human cost of the pandemic continues to rise but a worrying side-effect is the toll it is taking on mental health.

For those working from home, self-isolating due to personal health problems, or simply struggling to adapt to life under lockdown the concerns are well known and widespread.

But for those carrying out essential work in communities across the country there is no place to hide.

Our source continued: "It really affected me mentally as I’d never been around death before so to go from that to seeing the undertakers come in and take away a woman you had become quite friendly with was a big shock to the system.

"You feel awful as well because these people are dying but they can’t see their family one last time to say goodbye.

"A lot of residents with dementia ask you to stay for a wee while and chat with them, luckily enough recently we’ve had more spare time so we can sit and chat for a while or sometimes they would just like to hold your hand and watch TV for a bit of company."

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For many during this crisis, it is impossible to leave workplace worries where they belong, at work, and the trauma doesn't end at home.

"In my family there are several people who are immuno-compromised," our source said.

"Unfortunately my dad is working away right now and hasn’t been able to come home as he was symptomatic and didn’t want to risk anything.

"When I get home from work I have to go straight to my room to shower and bring all my clothes into the washing machine.

"No-one is allowed in the same room as me so I’ve got to phone before I come downstairs to make sure the kitchen is empty.

"It’s very lonely and quite hard to deal with."

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Although no end is yet in sight the woman says she is just about managing to see some glimmers of light amongst the darkness.

She added: "Obviously I can’t go out and see my friends or boyfriend, so it’s been difficult dealing with it. However I do think I’m holding up a lot better than I thought I would.

"I’m actually quite glad I have a job as I feel very productive and that I’m actually helping a lot.

"It takes a few days to build up then I’ll have a good cry and I’m all good again for another few days.

"The past few weeks of working there has been a big difference [in staffing at the care home], we’ve basically been working non-stop every day for the past couple of weeks.

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"I think I’ve had maybe five days off since the lockdown properly started, so it’s been very tiring, but on a positive note my wage wasn’t bad at all, although unfortunately I've nowhere to spend it.

"Working nearly every day has isolated me a little bit more from my friends as on the weekends they’ve been going on a group call and drinking together and playing games all night.

"But I have to go to bed so I can get up for work in the morning and I can’t stay on it as long, which is upsetting.

"I’m really hoping this doesn’t last too much longer but we’ll just have to wait and see what happens."

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