scholarly journals Antibody Response 3 Months after 2 Doses of BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine in Residents of Long-Term Care Facilities

Gerontology ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Roberta Causa ◽  
Diego Almagro-Nievas ◽  
Mario Rivera-Izquierdo ◽  
Nicolás Benítez-Muñoz ◽  
Begoña López-Hernández ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Humoral Response ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Vaccination Response ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Antibody Titers ◽  
Antibody Levels

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Older adults living in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) are at increased risk for severe outcomes from COVID-19 and were identified as a priority group in COVID-19 vaccination strategies. Emerging evidence suggests vaccine effectiveness in LTCF populations, but data about median and long-term durability of immune response after vaccination are still limited. <b><i>Objectives:</i></b> In this study, we assessed the humoral response to BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine 3 months after the second dose, in a cohort of 495 residents aged ≥65 years from 11 LTCF in Granada, Spain. <b><i>Method:</i></b> Between April 19 and April 30, 2021, we measured anti-SARS-CoV-2 Spike IgG to evaluate the humoral vaccination response. Antibody titers were reported in binding antibody units (BAU/mL). Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were performed to investigate the impact of age, sex, underlying health conditions, and prior COVID-19 infection on the antibody levels. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Over 96% of the participants developed an adequate humoral response. We detected higher antibody titers in previously infected individuals, compared with those previously uninfected (<i>B</i>: 1,150.059 BAU/mL, <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001). Moreover, we found a significant inverse association between age and antibody levels (<i>B</i>: −7.943 BAU/mL, <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.05). This negative age-dependent response was more noticeable among residents over 85 years old. In contrast, baseline health conditions and cognitive status were not associated with different antibody levels. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> These findings support monitoring COVID-19 vaccination response trend in older adults, in order to optimize future disease prevention and control strategies in this vulnerable population.

scholarly journals Timeline of COVID-19 Incidence and Mortality among Residents and Staff of South Carolina Long-term Care Facilities

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 733-733
Author(s):  
Matthew Lohman ◽  
Nicholas Resciniti ◽  
Morgan Fuller ◽  
Joshua Sellner
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
South Carolina ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Infection Rates ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Incidence And Mortality ◽  
Care Facilities

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted older adults living in long-term care facilities (LTCFs), but little research has described parallel infection rates and mortality among LTCF residents and staff in relation to state-level mitigation measures. This study used comprehensive COVID-19 tracking data from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC), including case report information on demographics, symptoms, comorbidities, and employment. We included all confirmed or probable COVID-19 cases and deaths among adult SC residents reported between 3/15/2020 and 1/2/2021. Residence or employment in LTCF, including nursing homes, assisted living, or skilled nursing facilities, were confirmed by SCDHEC. Cox proportional hazards models were used to compare mortality between residents/staff and counterparts in the community. Overall, 54,514 cases of COVID-19 were identified among older adults in SC. Of these, 13.5% (n = 7,366) resided in a LTCF. LTCF residents with COVID-19 were more likely to be hospitalized compared to older adults in the community and 74% more likely to die (HR= 1.74, 95% CI: 1.59-1.90), after controlling for age, gender, race, and chronic health conditions. LTCF staff had greater infection rates but lower risk of mortality (HR=0.58; 95% CI: 0.39-0.88) compared to the general population. Differences in COVID-19 incidence and mortality between residents/staff and the community decreased after statewide mitigation policies. This study indicates that LTCF residents are at increased risk of COVID infection and mortality, even accounting for pre-existing health conditions. LTCF settings are key sites for prioritizing prevention, vaccination, and training plans to prepare for future pandemics.

Uitbraak COVID-19 in de verpleeghuiszorg

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Nursing Home ◽  
Nursing Homes ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Informal Caregivers ◽  
Rapid Review ◽  
Daily Routine ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Care Facilities

Long-term care for older adults is highly affect by the COVID-19 outbreak. The objective of this rapid review is to understand what we can learn from previous crises or disasters worldwide to optimize the care for older adults in long term care facilities during the outbreak of COVID-19. We searched five electronic databases to identify potentially relevant articles. In total, 23 articles were included in this study. Based on the articles, it appeared that nursing homes benefit from preparing for the situation as best as they can. For instance, by having proper protocols and clear division of tasks and collaboration within the organization. In addition, it is helpful for nursing homes to collaborate closely with other healthcare organizations, general practitioners, informal caregivers and local authorities. It is recommended that nursing homes pay attention to capacity and employability of staff and that they support or relieve staff where possible. With regard to care for the older adults, it is important that staff tries to find a new daily routine in the care for residents as soon as possible. Some practical tips were found on how to communicate with people who have dementia. Furthermore, behavior of people with dementia may change during a crisis. We found tips for staff how to respond and act upon behavior change. After the COVID-19 outbreak, aftercare for staff, residents, and informal caregivers is essential to timely detect psychosocial problems. The consideration between, on the one hand, acute safety and risk reduction (e.g. by closing residential care facilities and isolating residents), and on the other hand, the psychosocial consequences for residents and staff, were discussed in case of other disasters. Furthermore, the search of how to provide good (palliative) care and to maintain quality of life for older adults who suffer from COVID-19 is also of concern to nursing home organizations. In the included articles, the perspective of older adults, informal caregivers and staff is often lacking. Especially the experiences of older adults, informal caregivers, and nursing home staff with the care for older adults in the current situation, are important in formulating lessons about how to act before, during and after the coronacrisis. This may further enhance person-centered care, even in times of crisis. Therefore, we recommend to study these experiences in future research.

Older Adults Diagnosed With Schizophrenia in Long-term Care Facilities: Life Course Theory for Holistic Nursing Research and Practice

2021 ◽  
pp. 089801012110253
Author(s):  
Verónica G. Walker ◽  
Elizabeth K. Walker
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Life Course ◽  
Health Beliefs ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Life Course Theory ◽  
Nursing Research ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Holistic Nursing ◽  
Care Facilities

Older adults diagnosed with schizophrenia (OADWS) often enter long-term care facilities with unique challenges related to trauma and stress experienced throughout their life course. Health care workers often report that when they work with this population, they feel unprepared due to limited training. In this article, life course theory is presented as a lens for holistic nursing research and as a way for nurses to adapt interventions already used with cognitively impaired older adults (e.g., those diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease) for OADWS in long-term care. It is hoped that these ideas will facilitate discussion of ways to inform training for holistic long-term care of OADWS. Holistic principles of nursing addressed with life course theory as a lens include the following: (a) accounting for strengths and challenges; (b) honoring experiences, values, and health beliefs; (c) viewing interrelationships with the environment; and (d) nurturing of peace, wholeness, and healing.

Tablets for deeply disadvantaged older adults: Challenges in long-term care facilities

2020 ◽  
Vol 144 ◽  
pp. 102504
Author(s):  
Alejandro Cid ◽  
Rafael Sotelo ◽  
Mariana Leguisamo ◽  
María Ramírez-Michelena
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Care Facilities

Interventions Using Technologies for Older Adults in Long-term Care Facilities: A Systematic Review

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 170 ◽  
Author(s):  
Da Eun Kim ◽  
Hyang Kim ◽  
Junghee Hyun ◽  
Hyojin Lee ◽  
Hyehyun Sung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Care Facilities

scholarly journals A Double Burden of Exclusion? Digital and Social Exclusion of Older Adults in Times of COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Seifert ◽  
Shelia R Cotten ◽  
Bo Xie
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
Network Connectivity ◽  
Double Burden ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Digital Services ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Digital Exclusion

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has excluded older adults from a society based on physical social contact. Vulnerable populations like older adults also tend to be excluded from digital services because they opt not to use the internet, lack necessary devices and network connectivity, or inexperience using the technology. Older adults who are frail and are not online, many of whom are in long-term care facilities, struggle with the double burden of social and digital exclusion. This paper discusses the potential outcomes of this exclusion and provides recommendations for rectifying the situation, with a particular focus on older adults in long-term care facilities.

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