OBJECTIVES: This study is the first to obtain data on the prevalence of, contributors to, and supports required for, pandemic-related distress within the residential aged care sector in Australia. A nested mixed-methods approach was used to examine aged care leaders' opinions about the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of aged care residents and staff. METHODS: A total of 288 senior staff of Australian residential aged care facilities (care managers, clinical care coordinators, and lifestyle team leaders; mean age = 52.7 years, SD = 10.3) completed an online survey between 10th September and 31st October 2020. RESULTS: On average, nearly half of their residents experienced loneliness (41%) and a third experienced anxiety in response to COVID-19 (33%). The most frequently noted contributors to poor mental health among residents were restrictions to recreational outings and watching news coverage relating to COVID-19. Participants emphasized the need for increased access to counseling services and improved mental health training amongst staff. Residential care staff were similarly impacted by the pandemic. More than a third of staff were reported as anxious (36%) and 20% depressed, in response to COVID-19. Staff were worried about introducing COVID-19 into their facility and were impacted by news coverage of COVID-19. Staff would feel supported by financial assistance and by increased staff-resident ratios. CONCLUSIONS: Senior staff perceive that the mental health of Australian aged care residents and staff was negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The most noted contributors were identified, as was the mental health support for aged care communities. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: This study provides government and policymakers with clear intervention targets for supporting the sector. Clinicians can support residential aged care communities by providing on-site or telehealth counseling, and upskill and train residential aged care staff on how to respond to the emotional needs of residents in response to COVID-19.
OBJECTIVES: This study is the first to obtain data on the prevalence of, contributors to, and supports required for, pandemic-related distress within the residential aged care sector in Australia. A nested mixed-methods approach was used to examine aged care leaders' opinions about the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of aged care residents and staff. METHODS: A total of 288 senior staff of Australian residential aged care facilities (care managers, clinical care coordinators, and lifestyle team leaders; mean age = 52.7 years, SD = 10.3) completed an online survey between 10th September and 31st October 2020. RESULTS: On average, nearly half of their residents experienced loneliness (41%) and a third experienced anxiety in response to COVID-19 (33%). The most frequently noted contributors to poor mental health among residents were restrictions to recreational outings and watching news coverage relating to COVID-19. Participants emphasized the need for increased access to counseling services and improved mental health training amongst staff. Residential care staff were similarly impacted by the pandemic. More than a third of staff were reported as anxious (36%) and 20% depressed, in response to COVID-19. Staff were worried about introducing COVID-19 into their facility and were impacted by news coverage of COVID-19. Staff would feel supported by financial assistance and by increased staff-resident ratios. CONCLUSIONS: Senior staff perceive that the mental health of Australian aged care residents and staff was negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The most noted contributors were identified, as was the mental health support for aged care communities. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: This study provides government and policymakers with clear intervention targets for supporting the sector. Clinicians can support residential aged care communities by providing on-site or telehealth counseling, and upskill and train residential aged care staff on how to respond to the emotional needs of residents in response to COVID-19.
Authors: Ejemai Eboreime; Arto Ohinmaa; Benjamin Rusak; Keri-Leigh Cassidy; Jason Morrison; Patrick McGrath; Rudolf Uher; Sandra Meier; Marie-Josee Fleury; Srividya N Iyer; Soham Rej; Frances Batchelor; Pazit Levinger; Christa Dang; Malcolm Hopwood; Francis N L Acquah; Janet Dzator; Gail Tomblin Murphy; Jordan Warford; Lori Wozney; Isabelle Vedel; Jacqueline Gahagan; Olga Theou; Prosper Koto; Tara Sampalli; Susan Kirkland; Nicholas Watters; Vincent I O Agyapong Journal: Gerontol Geriatr Med Date: 2022-03-01
Authors: Amber Savage; Sandra Young; Heather K Titley; Trina E Thorne; Jude Spiers; Carole A Estabrooks Journal: J Am Med Dir Assoc Date: 2022-08-12 Impact factor: 7.802
Authors: Sarah L McGuinness; Johnson Josphin; Owen Eades; Sharon Clifford; Jane Fisher; Maggie Kirkman; Grant Russell; Carol L Hodgson; Helen L Kelsall; Riki Lane; Helen Skouteris; Karen L Smith; Karin Leder Journal: Front Public Health Date: 2022-09-29
Authors: Celia B Harris; Penny Van Bergen; Paul A Strutt; Gabrielle K Picard; Sophia A Harris; Ruth Brookman; Karn Nelson Journal: Brain Sci Date: 2022-03-11