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The Role of Community Health Workers in the Health and Well-Being of Vulnerable Older Adults during the COVID Pandemic

Author

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  • Matthew Hodges

    (Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
    Regenstrief Institute, Inc., Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA)

  • Dawn Butler

    (Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA)

  • Ariel Spaulding

    (Regenstrief Institute, Inc., Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA)

  • Debra K. Litzelman

    (Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
    Regenstrief Institute, Inc., Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
    Indiana University Health Physicians, Indianapolis, IN 46204, USA)

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted social support networks as well as resource access for participants. The purpose of this study was to: analyze the experiences of older adults enrolled in a geriatric-focused community health worker (CHW) support program, to gain a better understanding of how CHWs might enhance care delivery, and to further understand how COVID-19 affected the social and emotional needs and well-being of older adults during the first 18 months of the pandemic. Qualitative analysis was performed on notes entered by CHWs based on 793 telephone encounters with 358 participants between March 2020 and August 2021. Analysis was performed by two reviewers independently coding the data. Weighing the benefits of seeing family against the risks of COVID exposure was a source of emotional distress for participants. Our qualitative analysis suggests that CHWs were effective in providing emotional support and connecting participants to resources. CHWs are capable of bolstering the support networks of older adults and carrying out some of the responsibilities conventionally fulfilled by family supports. CHWs addressed participant needs that are frequently unmet by healthcare team members and provided emotional support to participants contributing to health and well-being. CHW assistance can fill gaps in support left by the healthcare system and family support structures.

Suggested Citation

  • Matthew Hodges & Dawn Butler & Ariel Spaulding & Debra K. Litzelman, 2023. "The Role of Community Health Workers in the Health and Well-Being of Vulnerable Older Adults during the COVID Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-12, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:4:p:2766-:d:1057626
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Satariano, W.A. & Guralnik, J.M. & Jackson, R.J. & Marottoli, R.A. & Phelan, E.A. & Prohaska, T.R., 2012. "Mobility and aging: New directions for public health action," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 102(8), pages 1508-1515.
    2. Merril Silverstein & Stephen J. Conroy & Haitao Wang & Roseann Giarrusso & Vern L. Bengtson, 2002. "Reciprocity in Parent–Child Relations Over the Adult Life Course," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 57(1), pages 3-13.
    3. Ministry of Human Resource Development, GOI, 2020. "National Education Policy 2020," Working Papers id:13106, eSocialSciences.
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    Cited by:

    1. Nina Tumosa, 2023. "Using the Age-Friendly Health Systems Framework to Track Wellness and Health Promotion Priorities of Older Adults in the Global Community," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-5, March.

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