What Long-Term Care Interventions and Policy Measures Have Been Studied During the Covid-19 Pandemic? Findings from a Rapid Mapping Review of the Scientific Evidence Published During 2020

Abstract Objective: To elaborate and validate an instrument for the admission of the elderly to long-term care facilities. Method: A methodological study was performed, divided into two phases, the first of which was the elaboration of the instrument based on a literature review of research published in journals indexed in SciELO and in databases such as Medline, LILACS, IBECS, Embase and books related to gerontology, defining theoretical dimensionality through relevant information to support individualized and integral care for the elderly. The second phase of the study involved validation by nine experts from a multidisciplinary field. Six criteria were used to validate the construct, for which the experts chose one of the following options: adequate, inadequate or requires greater adequacy and also, when necessary, added suggestions. The decision to maintain, reformulate or exclude items was based on the Percentage of Consensus (PC) among the experts, for which consensus of more than 80% was adopted as the value of statistical significance. Results: The scientific evidence base for the construction of the instrument consisted of anamnesis and physical examination domains, segmented in ten and four sections, respectively. Half of the sections achieved a score above that proposed, four of which received a maximum consensus score in all criteria. Conclusion: The instrument was developed and proved to be consistent for applicability by different professionals in the area, with the aim of promoting geriatric care focused on the health of the institutionalized patient.

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Taking stock of COVID-19 policy measures to protect Europe’s elderly living in long-term care facilities

Global Social Policy ◽

10.1177/14680181211013717 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 146801812110137

Author(s):

Lorraine Frisina Doetter ◽

Benedikt Preuß ◽

Heinz Rothgang

Keyword(s):

General Population ◽

Long Term Care ◽

Term Care ◽

Institutionalized Elderly ◽

Residual Variation ◽

Care Facilities ◽

Policy Measures ◽

The Impact ◽

Elderly Living

The current COVID-19 pandemic has come to impact all areas of life involving the health, psycho-social and economic wellbeing of individuals, as well as all stages of life from childhood to old age. Particularly, the frail elderly have had to face the gravest consequences of the disease; while reporting measures tend to differ between countries making direct comparisons difficult, national statistics worldwide point to a disproportionate and staggering share of COVID-19 related mortality coming from residential long-term care facilities (LTCFs). Still, the severity of the impact on the institutionalized elderly has not been uniform across countries. In an effort to better understand the disparities in impact on Europe’s elderly living in LTCFs, we review data on mortality outcomes seen during the first wave of the pandemic (months March to June 2020). We then set out to understand the role played by the following two factors: (1) the infection rate in the general population and (2) member state adherence to policy recommendations put forth by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) targeting the LTC sector. Regarding the latter, we compare the content of national policy measures in six countries – Austria, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Spain and Sweden – with those of the ECDC. Our findings establish that infection rates in the general population accounted for most of the variation in mortality among member states, however adherence to EU policy helped to explain the residual variation between cases. This suggests that in order to best protect the institutionalized elderly from infectious disease of this kind, countries need to adopt a two-pronged approach to developing measures: one that aims at reducing transmission within the general population and one that specifically targets LTCFs.

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Working With Resistance and Encouraging Buy-In to New Programs

Perspectives on Gerontology ◽

10.1044/gero16.1.18 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

pp. 18-21

Author(s):

Sara Joffe

Keyword(s):

Long Term Care ◽

Term Care ◽

Optimal Outcomes ◽

Speech Language Pathologist

In order to best meet the needs of older residents in long-term care settings, clinicians often develop programs designed to streamline and improve care. However, many individuals are reluctant to embrace change. This article will discuss strategies that the speech-language pathologist (SLP) can use to assess and address the source of resistance to new programs and thereby facilitate optimal outcomes.

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Feeding Dependency Issues in the Long-Term Care Environment

Perspectives on Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders (Dysphagia) ◽

10.1044/sasd10.1.19 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 19-24

Author(s):

Carol Winchester ◽

Cathy Pelletier ◽

Pete Johnson

Keyword(s):

Long Term Care ◽

Term Care ◽

Care Environment

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Communication Disordered: Program Implementation in Long-Term Care

Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups ◽

10.1044/persp1.sig15.64 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 1 (15) ◽

pp. 64-67

Author(s):

George Barnes ◽

Joseph Salemi

Keyword(s):

Program Implementation ◽

Long Term Care ◽

Family Satisfaction ◽

Regulatory Compliance ◽

Care Staff ◽

Term Care ◽

Staff Members ◽

Change Policy

The organizational structure of long-term care (LTC) facilities often removes the rehab department from the interdisciplinary work culture, inhibiting the speech-language pathologist's (SLP's) communication with the facility administration and limiting the SLP's influence when implementing clinical programs. The SLP then is unable to change policy or monitor the actions of the care staff. When the SLP asks staff members to follow protocols not yet accepted by facility policy, staff may be unable to respond due to confusing or conflicting protocol. The SLP needs to involve members of the facility administration in the policy-making process in order to create successful clinical programs. The SLP must overcome communication barriers by understanding the needs of the administration to explain how staff compliance with clinical goals improves quality of care, regulatory compliance, and patient-family satisfaction, and has the potential to enhance revenue for the facility. By taking this approach, the SLP has a greater opportunity to increase safety, independence, and quality of life for patients who otherwise may not receive access to the appropriate services.

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