Assessing the Impact of Covid-19 on the Health and Wellness of the Long-Term Care Workforce in Rural and Northern Areas

Abstract

There is growing recognition that the mental health and wellbeing of the LTCF workforce have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. Therefore, we sought to describe the experiences and challenges LTCF employees faced during COVID-19 in rural and northern communities and highlight factors affecting their ability to be resilient and provide high quality care. We conducted 53 qualitative interviews using zoom with LTCF care providers (care aides, nurses, social workers), staff (food service workers, recreation providers), and management between November 2021 and February 2021. Data was transcribed and thematic analysis undertaken. We will describe participants experiences stratified by LTCF employee type and highlight similarities and differences in participants experiences across geography and facility type (freestanding vs. co-located in hospital) and describe factors affecting well-being, job satisfaction, and retention. We will share an inventory of programs and strategies participants found useful to mitigate negative effects on their mental health and well-being.

Staff Resiliency in Long-Term Care during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study

“…It is important to describe and enhance understanding of how individuals cope with and adapt to adversity. Our previous research into the conceptualization of resilience notes that resilience can be defined as the ability to bounce back from one or more difficult experiences and to maintain or regain mental health and wellness in the face of stress and challenges [9]. Resilience is a complex and multifaceted construct that encompasses a range of personal, social, and contextual factors.…”