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The Experience of COVID-19 Visitor Restrictions among Families of People Living in Long-Term Residential Care Facilities during the First Wave of the Pandemic in Ireland

Author

Listed:
  • Nicola Cornally

    (Catherine McAuley School of Nursing and Midwifery, University College Cork, T12AK54 Cork, Ireland)

  • Caroline Kilty

    (Catherine McAuley School of Nursing and Midwifery, University College Cork, T12AK54 Cork, Ireland)

  • Catherine Buckley

    (Northridge House Education and Research Centre, St. Luke’s Home, T12H970 Cork, Ireland)

  • Rónán O’Caoimh

    (Department of Geriatric Medicine, Mercy University Hospital, T12WE28 Cork, Ireland
    Health Research Board Clinical Research Facility, University College Cork, Mercy University Hospital, T12WE28 Cork, Ireland)

  • Mark R. O’Donovan

    (Health Research Board Clinical Research Facility, University College Cork, Mercy University Hospital, T12WE28 Cork, Ireland)

  • Margaret P. Monahan

    (Catherine McAuley School of Nursing and Midwifery, University College Cork, T12AK54 Cork, Ireland)

  • Caroline Dalton O’Connor

    (Catherine McAuley School of Nursing and Midwifery, University College Cork, T12AK54 Cork, Ireland)

  • Serena Fitzgerald

    (Catherine McAuley School of Nursing and Midwifery, University College Cork, T12AK54 Cork, Ireland)

  • Irene Hartigan

    (Catherine McAuley School of Nursing and Midwifery, University College Cork, T12AK54 Cork, Ireland)

Abstract

Public health responses to COVID-19 in long-term residential care facilities (LTRCFs) have restricted family engagement with residents. These restrictions impact on quality of care and the psychosocial and emotional well-being of family caregivers. Following a national cross-sectional web-based survey, respondents were invited to provide personal reflections on visitor restrictions. This study aims to describe the consequences of these restrictions for individuals living in LTRCF and their families during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Data from open-ended questions contained within the survey were analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s (2006) method of thematic analysis. Four themes were identified: 1. Altered Communication and Connection; 2. Emotional and Psychological Impact; 3. Protecting and Caring Role of Staff; 4. Family Role. Throughout the narrative accounts, it is evident that the visitor restrictions impacted on the emotional and mental well-being of families. Some respondents expressed frustration that they could not assist staff in essential care provision, reducing meaning and purpose in their own lives. COVID-19 LTRCF visitor restrictions made little distinction between those providing essential personal care and those who visit for social reasons. A partnership approach to care provision is important and should encompass strategies to maintain the psychosocial and emotional well-being of families and their relatives during times of self-isolating or restrictive measures.

Suggested Citation

  • Nicola Cornally & Caroline Kilty & Catherine Buckley & Rónán O’Caoimh & Mark R. O’Donovan & Margaret P. Monahan & Caroline Dalton O’Connor & Serena Fitzgerald & Irene Hartigan, 2022. "The Experience of COVID-19 Visitor Restrictions among Families of People Living in Long-Term Residential Care Facilities during the First Wave of the Pandemic in Ireland," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-14, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:11:p:6559-:d:825983
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Domingo Palacios-Ceña & Rosario Fernández-Peña & Angela Ortega-López & Ana Fernández-Feito & Oscar Bautista-Villaécija & Olga Rodrigo-Pedrosa & José Arnau-Sánchez & Ángel Lizcano-Álvarez, 2021. "Long-Term Care Facilities and Nursing Homes during the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Scoping Review of the Perspectives of Professionals, Families and Residents," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-13, September.
    2. Matteo Bolcato & Marco Trabucco Aurilio & Giulio Di Mizio & Andrea Piccioni & Alessandro Feola & Alessandro Bonsignore & Camilla Tettamanti & Rosagemma Ciliberti & Daniele Rodriguez & Anna Aprile, 2021. "The Difficult Balance between Ensuring the Right of Nursing Home Residents to Communication and Their Safety," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-11, March.
    3. Sharon W. Williams & Sheryl Zimmerman & Christianna S. Williams, 2012. "Family Caregiver Involvement for Long-Term Care Residents at the End of Life," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 67(5), pages 595-604.
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