Social Health among German Nursing Home Residents with Dementia during the COVID-19 Pandemic, and the Role of Technology to Promote Social Participation

Viktoria Hoel, Kathrin Seibert, Dominik Domhoff, Benedikt Preuß, Franziska Heinze, Heinz Rothgang and Karin Wolf-Ostermann
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Viktoria Hoel: Institute for Public Health and Nursing Research, University of Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany
Kathrin Seibert: Institute for Public Health and Nursing Research, University of Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany
Dominik Domhoff: Institute for Public Health and Nursing Research, University of Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany
Benedikt Preuß: SOCIUM Research Center on Inequality and Social Policy, University of Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany
Franziska Heinze: SOCIUM Research Center on Inequality and Social Policy, University of Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany
Heinz Rothgang: Leibniz Science Campus Digital Public Health, 28359 Bremen, Germany
Karin Wolf-Ostermann: Institute for Public Health and Nursing Research, University of Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 4, 1-15

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted the social health of nursing home residents with dementia due to social isolation. Consequently, the frequency of Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms in Dementia (BPSD) might increase. Technological solutions might help safeguard the social health of nursing home residents with dementia. This study investigates the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on clinical outcomes and the availability of social activities and technology to promote social participation in nursing home residents with dementia. The study analyzed cross-sectional data from a follow-up questionnaire nested in a larger national survey of care facilities in Germany. A mixed-methods approach integrated statistical analyses of closed-ended responses and thematic analysis of free-text responses. A total of 417 valid individual responses were received, showing an overall increase in observed BPSD—with anxiety and depression most frequently occurring. Many nursing homes canceled all social activities for residents with dementia, though a few had established procedures to facilitate social participation using technology. Requirements to promote social participation in this population using technology were identified at the micro-, meso-, and macro levels. Technology requirements permeated all three levels. During and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, technology-driven solutions to promote social health among nursing home residents with dementia should be integrated into caregiving procedures.

Keywords: COVID-19; social isolation; social participation; dementia; digital accessibility; social technology; nursing homes (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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