Raymond T C M Koopmans1,2, Hilde Verbeek3, Annemiek Bielderman1, Meriam M Janssen4, Anke Persoon1, Ivonne Lesman-Leegte5, Eefje M Sizoo6, Jan P H Hamers3, Debby L Gerritsen1. 1. Department of Primary and Community Care, Radboud University Nijmegen, Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands. 2. De Waalboog "Joachim en Anna," Center for Specialized Geriatric Care, Nijmegen, the Netherlands. 3. Department of Health Services Research, Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands; Living Lab in Ageing and Long-Term Care, Maastricht, the Netherlands. 4. Tranzo Department, Scientific Center for Care and Welfare, Tilburg University, Tilburg, the Netherlands. 5. Department of General Practice and Elderly Care Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands. 6. Department of Medicine for Older People, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Location VUmc, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: On May 11, the Dutch Government allowed 26 nursing homes to welcome 1 visitor per resident, after 2 months of lockdown. The study aimed to monitor in-depth the feasibility of the regulations and their impact on the well-being of residents, their visitors, and healthcare staff. DESIGN: Mixed-methods study in 5 of the 26 facilities; the facilities were affiliated to an academic network of nursing homes. PARTICIPANTS: Visitors and healthcare professionals. INTERVENTION: Allowing visitors using local regulations based on national guidelines. MEASUREMENTS: Digital questionnaire, analyzing documentation such as infection prevention control protocols, attending meetings of COVID-19 crisis teams, in-depth telephone or in-person interviews with visitors and healthcare professionals, and on-site observations. RESULTS: National guidelines were translated with great variety into local care practice. Healthcare professionals agreed that reopening would increase the well-being of the residents and their loved ones. However, there were also great worries for increasing workload, increasing the risk of emotional exhaustion, and the risk of COVID-19 infections. Compliance with local regulations was generally satisfactory, but maintaining social distance and correctly wearing face masks appeared to be difficult. Care staff remained ambivalent for fear of infections. In general, allowing visitors was experienced as having a positive impact on the well-being of all stakeholders. Nevertheless, some residents with dementia showed negative effects. CONCLUSION: The complete lockdown of Dutch nursing homes had a substantial impact on the well-being of the residents. The reopening was welcomed by all stakeholders, but provided a high organizational workload as well as feelings of ambivalence among care staff. In the second wave, a more tailored approach is being implemented. However, facilities are sometimes still struggling to find the right balance between infection control and well-being.
OBJECTIVES: On May 11, the Dutch Government allowed 26 nursing homes to welcome 1 visitor per resident, after 2 months of lockdown. The study aimed to monitor in-depth the feasibility of the regulations and their impact on the well-being of residents, their visitors, and healthcare staff. DESIGN: Mixed-methods study in 5 of the 26 facilities; the facilities were affiliated to an academic network of nursing homes. PARTICIPANTS: Visitors and healthcare professionals. INTERVENTION: Allowing visitors using local regulations based on national guidelines. MEASUREMENTS: Digital questionnaire, analyzing documentation such as infection prevention control protocols, attending meetings of COVID-19 crisis teams, in-depth telephone or in-person interviews with visitors and healthcare professionals, and on-site observations. RESULTS: National guidelines were translated with great variety into local care practice. Healthcare professionals agreed that reopening would increase the well-being of the residents and their loved ones. However, there were also great worries for increasing workload, increasing the risk of emotional exhaustion, and the risk of COVID-19 infections. Compliance with local regulations was generally satisfactory, but maintaining social distance and correctly wearing face masks appeared to be difficult. Care staff remained ambivalent for fear of infections. In general, allowing visitors was experienced as having a positive impact on the well-being of all stakeholders. Nevertheless, some residents with dementia showed negative effects. CONCLUSION: The complete lockdown of Dutch nursing homes had a substantial impact on the well-being of the residents. The reopening was welcomed by all stakeholders, but provided a high organizational workload as well as feelings of ambivalence among care staff. In the second wave, a more tailored approach is being implemented. However, facilities are sometimes still struggling to find the right balance between infection control and well-being.
Entities:
Keywords:
neuropsychiatric symptoms; nursing homes; qualitative research; quality of life (QoL)
Authors: Milou J Angevaare; Karlijn J Joling; Martin Smalbrugge; Cees M P M Hertogh; Jos W R Twisk; Hein P J van Hout Journal: J Am Med Dir Assoc Date: 2022-07-13 Impact factor: 7.802
Authors: Marjolein E A Verbiest; Annerieke Stoop; Aukelien Scheffelaar; Meriam M Janssen; Leonieke C van Boekel; Katrien G Luijkx Journal: BMC Health Serv Res Date: 2022-07-15 Impact factor: 2.908
Authors: Lisa S van Tol; Hanneke J A Smaling; Wendy Meester; Sarah I M Janus; Sytse U Zuidema; Margot W M de Waal; Monique A A Caljouw; Wilco P Achterberg Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-05-27 Impact factor: 4.614
Authors: Charlotte T M van Corven; Annemiek Bielderman; Peter L B J Lucassen; Hilde Verbeek; Ivonne Lesman-Leegte; Marja F I A Depla; Annerieke Stoop; Maud J L Graff; Debby L Gerritsen Journal: BMC Geriatr Date: 2022-03-16 Impact factor: 3.921
Authors: Inge A H Knippenberg; Ruslan Leontjevas; Johanna M H Nijsten; Christian Bakker; Raymond T C M Koopmans; Debby L Gerritsen Journal: BMC Geriatr Date: 2022-02-19 Impact factor: 3.921
Authors: Eefje M Sizoo; Josi A Thunnissen; Anouk M van Loon; Claire L Brederveld; Helma Timmer; Simone Hendriks; Martin Smalbrugge Journal: Int J Geriatr Psychiatry Date: 2022-02 Impact factor: 3.850
Authors: Suzie Noten; Annerieke Stoop; Jasper De Witte; Elleke Landeweer; Floor Vinckers; Nina Hovenga; Leonieke C van Boekel; Katrien G Luijkx Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-03-15 Impact factor: 3.390