Job Satisfaction and Well-Being of Care Aides in Long-Term Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Comprehensive Literature Review

Maryam Sarfjoo Kasmaei, Shannon Freeman (), Davina Banner, Tammy Klassen-Ross and Melinda Martin-Khan
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Maryam Sarfjoo Kasmaei: School of Health Sciences, University of Northern British Columbia, 3333 University Way, Prince George, BC V2N 4Z9, Canada
Shannon Freeman: School of Nursing, University of Northern British Columbia, 3333 University Way, Prince George, BC V2N 4Z9, Canada
Davina Banner: School of Nursing, University of Northern British Columbia, 3333 University Way, Prince George, BC V2N 4Z9, Canada
Tammy Klassen-Ross: School of Health Sciences, University of Northern British Columbia, 3333 University Way, Prince George, BC V2N 4Z9, Canada
Melinda Martin-Khan: Healthcare Leadership, Management & Innovation, University of Exeter, Stocker Rd, Exeter EX4 4PY, UK

World, 2025, vol. 6, issue 2, 1-20

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic greatly impacted care aides in long-term care facilities (LTCFs), exacerbating existing challenges and introducing new stressors that profoundly affected their job satisfaction, mental health, and overall well-being. This study investigates these multifaceted effects by conducting a comprehensive literature review of 18 studies from 2020 to 2023 across multiple countries. The findings reveal that care aides, mostly older and female and often immigrants with limited formal education, faced increased workloads, emotional exhaustion, physical fatigue, anxiety, and heightened stress levels during the pandemic. These factors led to decreased job satisfaction, higher burnout rates, and further pressure on LTCFs. The review emphasizes the need for strong support systems and targeted interventions, including mental health resources, counseling, adequate personal protective equipment (PPE), effective workload management, professional development opportunities, fair compensation, and supportive work environments. Addressing these issues is crucial for maintaining a stable and effective LTC workforce, improving care outcomes for residents, and enhancing the healthcare system’s resilience against future challenges.

Keywords: job satisfaction; care aides; long-term care; COVID-19 pandemic; burnout; workload; anxiety (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: G15 G17 G18 L21 L22 L25 L26 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 R51 R52 R58 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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