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

Nicola Cornally, Caroline Kilty, Catherine Buckley, Rónán O’Caoimh, Mark R. O’Donovan, Margaret P. Monahan, Caroline Dalton O’Connor, Serena Fitzgerald and Irene Hartigan
Additional contact information
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
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

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 11, 1-14

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.

Keywords: COVID-19; long-term residential care; nursing home; family caregivers; qualitative; thematic analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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