scholarly journals Loneliness of seniors in long-term care institutions and COVID-19 restrictions

2022 ◽  
Vol 131 ◽  
pp. 01007
Author(s):  
Liga Rasnaca ◽  
Mareks Niklass ◽  
Endija Rezgale-Straidoma ◽  
Dace Lina
Keyword(s):  
Social Workers ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Social Relations ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Psychological State ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Term Care ◽  
The Social

The ageing of society is a significant social and economic challenge in the 21st century Europe. The article analyses loneliness and social isolation among seniors in long-term care (LTC) institutions, as well as how COVID-19 restrictions influence their social isolation. Loneliness and social isolation are different phenomena, but they are interconnected. The feeling of loneliness is a person’s psychological state, but it is especially exacerbated among seniors. Loneliness is closely linked to the deficit of social relations. The study employs a mixed methods approach: a survey using the UCLA Loneliness Scale and semi-structured interviews with social workers in LTC institutions during the first wave of COVID-19 in the spring of 2020. A significant number of seniors in LTC experience loneliness or social isolation. The qualitative interviews reveal factors that account for loneliness among seniors. The study also indicates how social workers can reduce seniors’ sense of loneliness and social isolation caused by COVID-19 restrictions. Daily routines and pandemic constraints in LTC institutions to some extent limit the social worker’s ability to address the loneliness of seniors.

Social Workers’ Impact on Policy Through Regulations: A Case Study of the U.S. Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program

2021 ◽  
pp. 146801732110103
Author(s):  
Susanny J Beltran ◽  
Vivian J Miller ◽  
Tyrone Hamler
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Writing Process ◽  
The United States ◽  
Term Care ◽  
The Social ◽  
The U.S

Summary Involvement in the political process in the United States is critical for social work professionals, as social policies dictate funding and programming in social work practice. Yet, there is little to no focus given to the regulation writing process in the social work literature in the United States. This article contributes to the scant body of knowledge that addresses the regulatory process from a social work perspective. A brief overview of the regulation writing process is provided, followed by a case study using the regulations for the U.S. Older Americans Act Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program to illustrate the process. Findings A total of 85 comments, submitted to the Federal Register docket, were analyzed using content analysis. Findings reveal that comment submissions varied greatly in terms of length, source, and input. Notably, findings indicate low participation from the social work profession. Application The open comment period of the regulation writing process offers a free, but effortful, window of opportunity for social workers to engage in post-legislative advocacy. There is a need to support the involvement of the social work profession in the regulation writing process, through practice and training enhancements.

scholarly journals Service Users’ Decision-Making During Transition to Long-Term Care: Social Workers’ and Older People’s Perspectives

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles Kiiza Wamara ◽  
Agnieszka Naumiuk
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Global Trend ◽  
New Situation

AbstractAs the world’s population rapidly ages, older people are increasingly placed in long-term care institutions. Although this global trend is supposed to protect older people, it is unclear whether they have any voice in decisions about such placements. The aim of this paper is to report a qualitative study into whether and to what degree social workers involve older people in these decisions. The study employed in-depth semi-structured interviews, focused group discussion, sociograms, and the daily and weekly schedules of 17 respondents (7 social workers and 10 older people in long-term care) in Warsaw, Poland. The findings show that social workers did involve older people, but only in minor decisions after their placement to help them adapt to the new situation. This practice seems to be attributable to neoliberal and managerial tendencies in the policy guidelines that social workers must follow in performing inherently relational tasks. The paper concludes by outlining the implications of these findings for social work.

scholarly journals Digital Technologies To Enhance Social Connectedness in Long-Term Care Facilities During COVID-19: A Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 942-943
Author(s):  
Shannon Freeman ◽  
Aderonke Abgoji ◽  
Alanna Koopmans ◽  
Christopher Ross
Keyword(s):  
Social Isolation ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Care Facility ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Sufficient Information ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Care Facilities

Abstract A consequence of the strict visitor restrictions implemented by many Long-term Care Facilities (LTCFs), during the COVID-19 pandemic, was the exacerbation of loneliness and social isolation felt by older adult residents. While there had been a shift by some persons to utilize digital solutions to mitigate the effects of the imposed social isolation, many facilities did not have sufficient information regarding available solutions to implement institutional strategies to support social connectedness through digital solutions. To support our partners in evidence-based policy-making we conducted a scoping review to identify existing virtual technology solutions, apps, and platforms feasible to promote social connectedness among persons residing in a long-term care facility context during times of lockdown such as experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Initial identification of relevant literature involved a combination of keywords and subject headings searches within 5 databases (PubMed, CINAHL EBSCO, PsychINFO EBSCO, Embase OVIDSP, and Web of Science ISI). DistillerSR was used to screen, chart and summarize the data. There is growth in the availability of technologies focused on promoting health and well-being in later life for persons in long-term care facilities however a gap remains in widespread uptake. We will describe the breadth of technologies identified in this review and discuss how they vary in utility in smaller scale facilities common in rural areas. Of the technologies that can be used to mitigate the impacts of social isolation felt by long-term care residents, many “solutions” depend on stable highspeed internet, which remains a challenge in rural and northern areas.

scholarly journals Evaluating the integration of palliative care in national health systems: an indicator rating process with EAPC task force members to measure advanced palliative care development

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalia Arias-Casais ◽  
Eduardo Garralda ◽  
Miguel Antonio Sánchez-Cárdenas ◽  
John Y. Rhee ◽  
Carlos Centeno
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Palliative Care ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Task Force ◽  
National Level ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Rating Process

Abstract Background Palliative care (PC) development cannot only be assessed from a specialized provision perspective. Recently, PC integration into other health systems has been identified as a component of specialized development. Yet, there is a lack of indicators to assess PC integration for pediatrics, long-term care facilities, primary care, volunteering and cardiology. Aim To identify and design indicators capable of exploring national-level integration of PC into the areas mentioned above. Methods A process composed of a desk literature review, consultation and semi-structured interviews with EAPC task force members and a rating process was performed to create a list of indicators for the assessment of PC integration into pediatrics, long-term care facilities, primary care, cardiology, and volunteering. The new indicators were mapped onto the four domains of the WHO Public Health Strategy. Results The literature review identified experts with whom 11 semi-structured interviews were conducted. A total of 34 new indicators were identified for national-level monitoring of palliative care integration. Ten were for pediatrics, five for primary care, six for long-term care facilities, seven for volunteering, and six for cardiology. All indicators mapped onto the WHO domains of policy and education while only pediatrics had an indicator that mapped onto the domain of services. No indicators mapped onto the domain of use of medicines. Conclusion Meaningful contributions are being made in Europe towards the integration of PC into the explored fields. These efforts should be assessed in future regional mapping studies using indicators to deliver a more complete picture of PC development.

scholarly journals Attitudes Toward Sexual Behaviors in Long-Term Care: Development of an Assessment Tool

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 602-603
Author(s):  
Rachael Spalding ◽  
Emma Katz ◽  
Barry Edelstein
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Behaviors ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Care Development

Abstract Most older adults living in long-term care settings (LTCs) indicate that expressing their sexuality is important to them (Doll, 2013). Little is known about the general public’s attitudes towards sexual behaviors in LTCs. Attitudes of LTC residents’ family members are particularly important, as family members are most likely to visit residents and to care about their quality of life. Family members’ attitudes could in turn inform facility policies and management. We will present preliminary data from a series of qualitative interviews with community-dwelling adults regarding their attitudes. We will discuss how these data are being used to inform current work on a measure of attitudes toward sexual behavior in LTCs.

Habituation Theory and Environment-Aging Research: Ennui to Joie De Vivre?

1989 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 241-257 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolyn Norris-Baker ◽  
Rick J. Scheidt
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Psychological Control ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Aging Research ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Targeted Interventions ◽  
Situational Characteristics ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Impact

Robert Kastenbaum posits that functional aging results in the overadaptation to our own routines and expectations, producing “hyperhabituation,” mental stagnation, and novaphobic response orientations. This article examines the promise and implications of this notion for two areas of environment-aging research: psychological control and environmental comprehension. Possible causal and mediating links between control and habituation are considered, as well as the impact of habituation on environmental perception, cognition, and appraisal. Personal and situational characteristics of older people likely to be at risk for habituated responses are suggested. The article also speculates about individually- and environmentally-targeted interventions which might prevent and/or ameliorate tendencies toward hyperhabituated responses among older people who reside in highly ritualized and constant environments such as long-term care institutions. Interventions subject to future evaluations include modifications for the social, physical, and policy milieux and desensitization of novaphobic responses.

scholarly journals Reliance on long-term care as a “new” social risk in national and EU law

2020 ◽  
Vol 123 ◽  
pp. 87-101
Author(s):  
Grega Strban ◽  
Sara Bagari
Keyword(s):  
Life Expectancy ◽  
Social Protection ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Social Risk ◽  
Eu Law ◽  
Term Care ◽  
The Social ◽  
Different Parts ◽  
The Eu

There have always been people who cannot take care of their daily needs and are reliant on care. However, due to higher life expectancy and low birth rates, changes in lifestyle and increased mobility, reliance on long-term care is becoming a general risk in life. Therefore, it must be provided with social protection. In this respect, the criteria for shaping the (new) social risk of reliance on long-term care are also fulfilled. Although different benefits are already provided within different parts of the social security system, the paper discusses that the best option is to define reliance on long-term care as an independent social risk. Furthermore, we must ensure that providing long-term care will not turn out to be a double social risk. The issue has to be addressed at the national and at the EU level.

scholarly journals Characteristics Associated with Quality of Life in Long-Term Care Residents with Dementia: A Cross-Sectional Study

2016 ◽  
Vol 42 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 186-197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maartje S. Klapwijk ◽  
Monique A.A. Caljouw ◽  
Marjoleine J.C. Pieper ◽  
Jenny T. van der Steen ◽  
Wilco P. Achterberg
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Social Relations ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Neuropsychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Pulmonary Diseases ◽  
Severe Dementia ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Term Care

Background: To determine which characteristics are associated with quality of life (QOL) in residents with moderate to very severe dementia in long-term care facilities (LTCFs). Material and Methods: This was a cross-sectional analysis of a cluster randomized controlled study in 12 Dutch LTCFs that enrolled 288 residents, with moderate to severe dementia assessed with the Reisberg Global Deterioration Scale (Reisberg GDS) and QOL with the QUALIDEM. Characteristics that were hypothesized to be associated with the six domains of QOL (applicable to very severe dementia) included demographic variables, activities of daily living (Katz ADL), cognitive performance (Cognitive Performance Scale; CPS), pain (Pain Assessment Checklist for Seniors with Limited Ability to Communicate; PACSLAC-D), neuropsychiatric symptoms (Neuropsychiatric Inventory-Nursing Home Version; NPI-NH) and comorbidities. Results: Multivariate logistic regression modelling showed associations with age in the domain Social isolation [odds ratio, OR, 0.95 (95% confidence interval, CI, 0.91-0.99)], ADL level in the domain Positive affect [OR 0.89 (95% CI 0.83-0.95)] and the domain Social relations [OR 0.87 (95% CI 0.81-0.93)], severity of dementia in the domain Social relations [OR 0.28 (95% CI 0.12-0.62)] and in the domain Social isolation [OR 2.10 (95% CI 1.17-3.78)], psychiatric disorders in the domain Positive affect [OR 0.39 (95% CI 0.17-0.87)] and pulmonary diseases in the domain Negative affect [OR 0.14 (95% CI 0.03-0.61)] of the QUALIDEM. Neuropsychiatric symptoms were independently associated with all six domains of the QUALIDEM [OR 0.93 (95% CI 0.90-0.96) to OR 0.97 (95% CI 0.95-0.99)]. Pain was associated with the domains Care relationship [OR 0.92 (95% CI 0.84-1.00)] and Negative affect [OR 0.92 (95% CI 0.85-1.00)]. Conclusion: QOL in dementia is independently associated with age, ADL, dementia severity, pain, psychiatric disorders, pulmonary diseases and neuropsychiatric symptoms. It is possible to detect persons with dementia at risk for a lower QOL. This information is important for developing personalized interventions to improve QOL in persons with dementia in LTCFs.

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