scholarly journals LETTER TO THE EDITOR: COVID-19: ROLE OF INTEGRATED REGIONAL HEALTH SYSTEM TOWARDS CONTROLLING PANDEMIC IN THE COMMUNITY, INTERMEDIATE AND LONG-TERM CARE

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-2
Author(s):  
R.A. Merchant
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Nursing Home ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Hospice Care ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Nursing Home Residents ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Delay In Diagnosis ◽  
Care Facilities

Older adults at home, intermediate and long-term care (ILTC) setting including nursing home and hospice care are vulnerable to COVID-19 infection with increased morbidity and mortality. Singapore is one of the fastest aging countries in Asia where 14.4% of population is above 65 years old and this will double by 2030 (1). About 16000 older adults live in long-term care facilities and many more attend different types of day care facilities (2). Many of the residents are frail, with underlying dementia and / or multimorbidity and often present atypically causing a delay in diagnosis. In many countries, COVID-19 has spread amongst nursing home residents with mortality ranging from 24% in Hungary to 82% in Canada (3). It is known that 56% of residents may test positive while in pre-symptomatic stage, and many countries have put in initiatives to decrease the risk of spread in care homes (4). COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of communication and collaboration amongst ILTC providers which in many countries are run by non-governmental organization’s, healthcare providers, regional and national healthcare leaders.

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.

The vulnerability of nursing home residents to the Covid-19 pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 57-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward H Wagner
Keyword(s):  
Nursing Home ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Nursing Home Residents ◽  
Nursing Assistants ◽  
Nursing Home Care ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Care Facilities

Residents in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities comprise a large percentage of the deaths from Covid 19. Is this inevitable or are there problems with NHs and their care that increase the susceptibility of their residents. The first U.S. cluster of cases involved the residents, staff, and visitors of a Seattle-area nursing home. Study of this cluster suggested that infected staff members were transmitting the disease to residents. The quality of nursing home care has long been a concern and attributed to chronic underfunding and resulting understaffing. Most NH care is delivered by minimally trained nursing assistants whose low pay and limited benefits compel them to work in multiple long-term care settings, increasing their risk of infection, and work while ill. More comparative studies of highly infected long-term care facilities with those organizations that were able to better protect their residents are urgently needed. Early evidence suggests that understaffing of registered nurses may increase the risk of larger outbreaks.

scholarly journals Communication Technology Preferences of Hospitalized and Institutionalized Frail Older Adults During COVID-19 Confinement: Cross-Sectional Survey Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guillaume Sacco ◽  
Sébastien Lléonart ◽  
Romain Simon ◽  
Frédéric Noublanche ◽  
Cédric Annweiler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Nursing Home ◽  
Older People ◽  
Acute Care ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Nursing Home Residents ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Telephone Calls ◽  
Acute Care Unit

BACKGROUND Technological communication methods such as telephone calls and video calls can help prevent social isolation and loneliness in frail older adults during confinement. OBJECTIVE Our objectives were to determine which virtual communication method (ie, telephone call or video call) was preferred by confined older hospital patients and nursing home residents and the variables influencing this preference. METHODS The TOVID (Telephony Or Videophony for Isolated elDerly) study was a cross-sectional study that was designed to examine the preference between telephone calls and video calls among frail older adults who were either hospitalized in a geriatric acute care unit or institutionalized in a long-term care and nursing home during the COVID-19 confinement period. RESULTS A total of 132 older people were surveyed between March 25 and May 11, 2020 (mean age 88.2 years, SD 6.2); 79 (59.8%) were women. Patients hospitalized in the geriatric acute care unit were more able to establish communication independently than residents institutionalized in the long-term care and nursing home (<i>P</i>=.03) and were more satisfied with their communication experiences (<i>P</i>=.02). Overall, older people tended to favor telephone calls (73/132, 55.3%) over video calls (59/132, 44.7%); however, their satisfaction degree was similar regardless of the chosen method (<i>P</i>=.1), with no effect of age (<i>P</i>=.97) or gender (<i>P</i>=.2). In the geriatric acute care unit, the satisfaction degrees were similar for telephone calls (40/41, 98%) and video calls (33/38, 87%) in older patients (<i>P</i>=.10). Conversely, in the long-term care and nursing home, residents were more satisfied with the use of video calls to communicate with their relatives (14/15, 93%) versus the use of telephone calls (6/12, 50%; <i>P</i>=.02). CONCLUSIONS Older people confined to health care settings were able to complete telephone calls more independently than video calls, and they tended to use telephone calls more often than video calls. The satisfaction degrees were similar with both modalities and even greater with video calls among long-term care and nursing home residents when they were given assistance to establish communication. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04333849: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04333849.

scholarly journals Resident-to-Resident Aggression in Long-Term Care Facilities: Insights from Focus Groups of Nursing Home Residents and Staff

2008 ◽  
Vol 56 (8) ◽  
pp. 1398-1408 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tony Rosen ◽  
Mark S. Lachs ◽  
Ashok J. Bharucha ◽  
Scott M. Stevens ◽  
Jeanne A. Teresi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nursing Home ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Nursing Home Residents ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Care Facilities

scholarly journals Molecular Epidemiology ofStaphylococcus aureusColonization in 2 Long-Term Care Facilities

2006 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 212-214 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lona Mody ◽  
Erica Flannery ◽  
Andrew Bielaczyc ◽  
Suzanne F. Bradley
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Nursing Home ◽  
Molecular Epidemiology ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Nursing Home Residents ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Methicillin Resistant ◽  
Care Facilities

Persistent colonization withStaphylococcus aureuswas assessed in 22 nursing home residents. Eighteen residents (82%) remained colonized with the same strain found at baseline; 6 (33%) of 18 residents transiently acquired a new strain. Four residents (18%) acquired a new persistent strain. Residents colonized with methicillin-resistantS. aureuswere more likely to acquire a new strain (67%) than were residents colonized with methicillin-susceptibleS. aureus(20%) (P= .04).

scholarly journals Failure to Thrive: Nursing Home Staff Experiences in Caring for Residents during the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 883-883
Author(s):  
Yu-Ping Chang ◽  
Audrieanna Raciti ◽  
Cristina de Rosa ◽  
Margaret Doerzbacher ◽  
Yanjun Zhou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nursing Home ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
New York State ◽  
Nursing Home Residents ◽  
Failure To Thrive ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Nursing Home Staff ◽  
Care Facilities

Abstract Nursing home residents and staff have accounted for roughly 40% of Coronavirus-related deaths in the U.S. The burden of caring for vulnerable residents coupled with isolation policies has taken a significant emotional toll among direct health care staff in long term care facilities. This study explores nursing home staff’s experiences in caring for residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. A qualitative descriptive approach with a semi-structured guide was used to conduct individual interviews. We recruited nursing home staff employed during the COVID-19 pandemic in long term care facilities located in New York State. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and then analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s Reflexive Thematic analysis. Twelve nursing home staff were interviewed. Participants consistently refer to failure-to-thrive as an extremely concerning problem because many residents demonstrate decreased appetite and poor nutrition, inactivity, and depressive symptoms due to social isolation. They also often feel frustrated and overwhelmed due to uncertainty and shortages of staff. Five main themes were identified, including doing their best to manage residents’ failure-to-thrive, working as a team, keeping family members informed and connected, struggling to balance competing personal and professional demands, and needing support to reduce stress and build strength. Our study findings indicate that nursing home staff experienced a high level of stress and identified failure-to-thrive caused by isolation and loneliness as a common phenomenon among nursing home residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. Interventions are urgently needed to reduce isolation and loneness in nursing home residents and to provide support for staff.

Assessment of anxiety in long-term care: examination of the Geriatric Anxiety Inventory (GAI) and its short form

2013 ◽  
Vol 25 (9) ◽  
pp. 1533-1542 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lindsay A. Gerolimatos ◽  
Jeffrey J. Gregg ◽  
Barry A. Edelstein
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Nursing Home ◽  
Executive Functioning ◽  
Anxiety Disorders ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Adaptive Functioning ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Nursing Home Residents ◽  
Term Care

ABSTRACTBackground:Accurate assessment of anxiety in later life is critical, as anxiety among older adults is associated with social and functional impairment and poorer quality of life. The Geriatric Anxiety Inventory (GAI) and the GAI–Short Form (GAI-SF) were designed to detect anxiety symptoms among community-dwelling older adults, but the usefulness of the GAI and GAI-SF in long-term care is unknown. The present study examined the psychometric properties of the GAI and GAI-SF among residents at a long-term care facility.Methods:Seventy-five nursing home residents completed the GAI and measures of depression, executive functioning, and adaptive functioning. The mean age of residents was 69.60 years (SD = 10.76). Psychiatric diagnoses included dementia, psychotic disorders, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, substance abuse, sleep disorders, and mental retardation.Results:Internal consistency of the GAI was good (α = 0.92) and the GAI-SF was adequate (α = 0.73). GAI and GAI-SF scores were moderately correlated with depression scores, and weakly correlated with adaptive functioning scores and executive functioning scores, suggesting discriminant validity. Logistic regression analyses were conducted with GAI and GAI-SF scores predicting an anxiety disorders diagnosis. Results provided support for the predictive validity of the GAI and GAI-SF. Sensitivity, specificity, and the percentage of individuals correctly classified at various cut-off scores were also calculated.Conclusions:Both the GAI and GAI-SF appear to be useful tools for assessing anxiety among nursing home residents with psychological disorders. The GAI-SF may be a viable replacement for the GAI as a screener for anxiety in long-term care.

scholarly journals The Forgotten Psychopathology of Depressed Long-Term Care Facility Residents: A Call for Evidence-Based Practice

2021 ◽  
pp. 38-44
Author(s):  
Alcina Matos Queirós ◽  
Armin von Gunten ◽  
Manuela  Martins ◽  
Nathalie I.H. Wellens ◽  
Henk Verloo
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Nursing Homes ◽  
Psychiatric Disorders ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Nursing Home Residents ◽  
Care Facility ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Health Complications

Introduction: As Earth’s population is rapidly aging, the question of how best to care for its older adults suffering from psychiatric disorders is becoming a constant and growing preoccupation. Depression is one of the most common psychiatric disorders among older adults, and depressed nursing home residents are at a particularly high risk of a decreased quality of life. The complex requirements of supporting and caring for depressed older adults in nursing homes demand the development and implementation of innovative clinical and organizational models that can ensure early identification of the disorder and high-quality multidisciplinary services for dealing with it. This perspective article aims to provide an overview of the literature and the state of the art of and the urgent need for research on the epidemiology and clinical treatment of depression among older adults. Method: In collaboration with a medical librarian, we conducted literature and bibliometric reviews of published articles in Medline Ovid SP from inception until September 30, 2020, to identify studies related to depression, depressive symptoms, mood disorders, dementia, cognitive disorders, and health complications in long-term care facilities and nursing homes. Results: We had 38,777 and 40,277 hits for depression and dementia, respectively, in long-term care facilities or nursing homes. The search equation found 536 and 1,447 studies exploring depression and dementia, respectively, and their related health complications in long-term care facilities or nursing homes. Conclusion: Depression’s relationships with other health complications have been poorly studied in long-term care facilities and nursing homes. More research is needed to understand them better.

Tuberculosis Prevention and Control in Long-Term–Care Facilities for Older Adults

2004 ◽  
Vol 25 (12) ◽  
pp. 1097-1108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauri Thrupp ◽  
Suzanne Bradley ◽  
Philip Smith ◽  
Andrew Simor ◽  
Nelson Gantz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
The United States ◽  
Disease Diagnosis ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
And Control

AbstractIn the United States, older adults comprise 22% of cases of tuberculous disease but only 12% of the population. Most cases of tuberculosis (TB) occur in community dwellers, but attack rates are highest among frail residents of long-term–care facilities. The detection and treatment of latent TB infection and TB disease can pose special challenges in older adults. Rapid recognition of possible disease, diagnosis, and implementation of airborne precautions are essential to prevent spread. It is the intent of this evidence-based guideline to assist healthcare providers in the prevention and control of TB, specifically in skilled nursing facilities for the elderly.

scholarly journals Communication Technology Preferences of Hospitalized and Institutionalized Frail Older Adults During COVID-19 Confinement: Cross-Sectional Survey Study

10.2196/21845 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. e21845 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guillaume Sacco ◽  
Sébastien Lléonart ◽  
Romain Simon ◽  
Frédéric Noublanche ◽  
Cédric Annweiler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Nursing Home ◽  
Older People ◽  
Acute Care ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Nursing Home Residents ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Telephone Calls ◽  
Acute Care Unit

Background Technological communication methods such as telephone calls and video calls can help prevent social isolation and loneliness in frail older adults during confinement. Objective Our objectives were to determine which virtual communication method (ie, telephone call or video call) was preferred by confined older hospital patients and nursing home residents and the variables influencing this preference. Methods The TOVID (Telephony Or Videophony for Isolated elDerly) study was a cross-sectional study that was designed to examine the preference between telephone calls and video calls among frail older adults who were either hospitalized in a geriatric acute care unit or institutionalized in a long-term care and nursing home during the COVID-19 confinement period. Results A total of 132 older people were surveyed between March 25 and May 11, 2020 (mean age 88.2 years, SD 6.2); 79 (59.8%) were women. Patients hospitalized in the geriatric acute care unit were more able to establish communication independently than residents institutionalized in the long-term care and nursing home (P=.03) and were more satisfied with their communication experiences (P=.02). Overall, older people tended to favor telephone calls (73/132, 55.3%) over video calls (59/132, 44.7%); however, their satisfaction degree was similar regardless of the chosen method (P=.1), with no effect of age (P=.97) or gender (P=.2). In the geriatric acute care unit, the satisfaction degrees were similar for telephone calls (40/41, 98%) and video calls (33/38, 87%) in older patients (P=.10). Conversely, in the long-term care and nursing home, residents were more satisfied with the use of video calls to communicate with their relatives (14/15, 93%) versus the use of telephone calls (6/12, 50%; P=.02). Conclusions Older people confined to health care settings were able to complete telephone calls more independently than video calls, and they tended to use telephone calls more often than video calls. The satisfaction degrees were similar with both modalities and even greater with video calls among long-term care and nursing home residents when they were given assistance to establish communication. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04333849: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04333849.

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