Experiences of residents, family members and staff in residential care settings for older people during COVID‐19: A mixed methods study

Abstract

Aim The aim of this study was to explore the COVID‐19 pandemic as it was experienced by people on the front line in residential care settings for older people in the Republic of Ireland (ROI). Background The COVID‐19 pandemic had a disproportionate effect in residential care settings for older people in Ireland. Methods A two‐phased mixed methods study was conducted, consisting of an online survey administered shortly after the first wave of the virus to staff, residents and family members and one‐to‐one interviews with family members shortly after wave 2 of the virus. Results Isolation, loss of connectedness as well as a reduction in the level/quality of care provision led to significant adverse impacts for both residents and their families. Staff reported high levels of stress, trauma and burnout. Family input to care was suspended, with adverse consequences. Conclusion The pandemic had an extremely adverse impact on residents, family members and staff in care settings for older people. Implications for Nursing Management Strategies to ensure that residents' physical, emotional and social needs and staffs' professional and personal needs are appropriately supported during future waves of the pandemic should now be implemented.

COVID-19 related visiting ban in nursing homes as a source of concern for residents’ family members: a cross sectional study

“…We found increased concern about the wellbeing of a close relative living in a nursing home to be extremely common—a result which mirrors previous research [ 42 – 44 ]. However, our exploratory research adds to knowledge on the precise factors associated with experienced concern among nursing home residents’ FMs.…”

“…Frequent visitors may feel personally responsible for the care [ 6 ] and thus also feel increased concern when they are prevented from visiting. As previous COVID-research demonstrates [ 44 ], the loss of such a caregiving role proved a major source of distress to family members during the visiting ban. It is also worth noting that Finnish nursing homes seldom offer distinct visiting hours; rather, FMs may visit when they choose.…”

“…In turn, research by Paananen et al [ 43 ] revealed that FMs feared that their relatives in nursing homes would fade away both emotionally and physiologically during the visiting ban. In addition, the loss of their caregiving role has proven to be a major source of distress to family members [ 44 ].…”

‘Safety First’: Residents, Families, and Healthcare Staff Experiences of COVID-19 Restrictions at an Irish Residential Care Centre

“…Rather, it was mostly families who communicated the need for virtual visits, reporting the challenges they experienced depending on the availability of staff or who was on duty that day. Sweeney et al, [ 27 ] reported similar findings, with family members placing greater emphasis on maintaining virtual contact with their relatives. Our findings reflect other qualitative research studies where relatives of older adults living in RCS reported feeling anxious and concerned about their family members’ psychological well-being during the lockdown period [ 18 , 27 , 28 ].…”

“…Sweeney et al, [ 27 ] reported similar findings, with family members placing greater emphasis on maintaining virtual contact with their relatives. Our findings reflect other qualitative research studies where relatives of older adults living in RCS reported feeling anxious and concerned about their family members’ psychological well-being during the lockdown period [ 18 , 27 , 28 ]. Staff also found the requests for virtual visits from visitors at times to be demanding and an extra burden on their workload, especially due to understaffing and competing caring priorities.…”