Social Distancing vs Social Interaction for Older Adults at Long-Term Care Facilities in the Midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Rapid Review and Synthesis of Action Plans

INQUIRY The Journal of Health Care Organization Provision and Financing ◽

10.1177/00469580211044287 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 58 ◽

pp. 004695802110442

Author(s):

Farhana Ferdous

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Social Interaction ◽

Social Isolation ◽

Long Term Care ◽

Rapid Review ◽

Action Plans ◽

Term Care ◽

Social Distancing ◽

Care Facilities

The present study aimed to systematically analyze the impact of COVID-19-related social distancing requirements on older adults living in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) and to synthesize the literature into thematic action plans to minimize the adverse effects of social isolation. The search included articles published between December 2019 and August 2020 across four databases. The inclusion criteria were used to screen for studies that reported on social isolation and loneliness due to the COVID-19 pandemic in older adults living in LTCFs. This rapid review identified 29 relevant studies and synthesized them into four thematic action plans: technological advancement, remote communication, therapeutic care/stress management, and preventive measures. These thematic action plans and cost-effective strategies can be immediately adopted and used as a resource for all LTCF administrators, healthcare design professionals, and researchers in battling current COVID-19-related issues, and improving social interaction in older adults living in care facilities.

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Uitbraak COVID-19 in de verpleeghuiszorg

Tijdschrift voor Gerontologie en Geriatrie ◽

10.36613/tgg.1875-6832/2020.03.01 ◽

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.

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Preventing the Transmission of COVID-19 in Older Adults Aged 60 Years and Above Living in Long-Term Care: Rapid Review Update

10.1101/2021.11.05.21265759 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Oluwaseun Egunsola ◽

Mark Hofmeister ◽

Laura E. Dowsett ◽

Tom Noseworthy ◽

Fiona Clement

Keyword(s):

Infection Prevention ◽

Long Term Care ◽

Supervised Machine Learning ◽

Rapid Review ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Infection Prevention And Control ◽

Term Care ◽

Social Distancing ◽

Care Facilities

Objectives: The objective of this study was to examine the effect of measures of control and management of COVID-19, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in adults 60 years or above living in long-term care facilities. This is an update of previous work done by Rios et al. Methods: A rapid review was conducted in accordance with the Rapid Review Guide for Health Policy and Systems Research. Literature search of databases MEDLINE, Cochrane library, and pre-print servers (biorxiv/medrxiv) was conducted from July 31, 2020 to October 9, 2020. EMBASE was searched from July 31, 2020 until October 18, 2020. Titles and abstracts from public archives were identified for screening using Gordon V. Cormack and Maura R. Grossmans Continuous Active Learning (CAL) tool, which uses supervised machine learning. Results: Five observational studies and one clinical practice guideline were identified. Infection prevention measures identified in this rapid review included: social distancing and isolation, personal protective equipment (PPE) use and hygiene practices, screening, training and staffing policies. The use of PPE, laboratory screening tests, sick pay to staff, self-confinement of staff within the LTCFs for 7 or more days, maintaining maximum resident occupancy, training and social distancing significantly reduced the prevalence of COVID-19 infection among residents and/or staff of LTCFs (p<0.05). Practices such as hiring of temporary staff, not assigning staff to care separately for infected and uninfected residents, inability to isolate sick residents and infrequent cleaning of communal areas significantly increased the prevalence of infection among residents and/or staff of LTCFs (p<0.05). Conclusion: The available studies are limited to only three countries despite the global nature of the disease. The majority of these studies showed that infection control measures such as favourable staffing policies, training, screening, social distancing, isolation and use of PPE significantly improved residents and staff related outcomes. More studies exploring the effects infection prevention and control practices in long term care facilities are required.

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Technologies and the Effects On Social Engagement In Long-Term Care Facilities During COVID-19: A Scoping Review

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igab046.3196 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 886-886

Author(s):

Timothy Wood ◽

Shannon Freeman ◽

Alanna Koopmans

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Social Isolation ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Social Engagement ◽

Social Connectedness ◽

Long Term Care ◽

Policy Decisions ◽

Term Care ◽

Care Facilities

Abstract During the COVID-19 pandemic, the sense of loneliness and social isolation felt by older adults in long-term care facilities has been exacerbated. Although there has been an increase in the number of digital solutions to mitigate social isolation during COVID-19, facilities in northern British Columbia do not have sufficient information regarding the technologies to support social connectedness. To support evidence-based policy decisions, a scoping review was conducted to identify existing virtual technology solutions, apps, and platforms that promote social connectedness among older adults residing in long-term care. A combination of keywords and subject headings were used to identify relevant literature within PubMed, CINAHL EBSCO, PsychINFO EBSCO, Embase OVIDSP, and Web of Science ISI databases. DistillerSR was used to screen and summarize the article selection process. Twenty-three articles were identified for full-text analysis. A variety of technologies are described which can be used to mitigate the impacts of social isolation felt by long-term care residents. However, many of these digital solutions require stable highspeed internet. This remains a challenge for facilities in northern areas as many have limited access to reliable internet. Metrics used to evaluate social engagement in the context of long-term care are also outlined. This research provides the preliminary groundwork necessary to better inform policy decisions about which technologies are available and, of these, which are effective at enhancing social connectedness for older adults in long-term care.

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

Journal of Holistic Nursing ◽

10.1177/08980101211025372 ◽

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.

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

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.3451 ◽

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.

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