Year: 2021
Type: conference-abstract
Abstract: Thirty percent of COVID-19 deaths in long-term care were in assisted living (AL), indicating challenges providing care. This project recruited AL administrators and medical and mental health care providers in a seven-state stratified random sample of 250 communities; it asked what was most challenging responding to COVID-19, what was successful, how to have better dealt with COVID-19, and how others could have helped. The most common challenge was addressing residents’ psychosocial needs, explained as “No contact - no hugging. The seniors require touch. It's something we've always done, and we can't do; we're required not to do it.” Successes included infection prevention, and in hindsight, administrators discussed staffing. Related to external entities, one commented, “Come in the building and see what we're doing. Don't sit behind a freaking screen and act like you know what we're doing.” Providers stressed patient access to care and social isolation. Implications will be discussed.
Source: Innovation in Aging
Authors: Sheryl Zimmerman, Philip Sloane, Johanna Hickey, Kali Thomas, Julia Thorp, Meredith Poole, Aisha Chaudhry, Paula Carder
Language: English
Subfield: General Health Professions
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,493
OpenAlex ID: W4200307650