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. 2022 Sep:62:101060.
doi: 10.1016/j.jaging.2022.101060. Epub 2022 Jul 15.

Family member roles in long term care: Lessons for the future from COVID-19

Nancy Kusmaul  1 , Vivian J Miller  2 , Ji Hyang Cheon  3
Affiliations

Family member roles in long term care: Lessons for the future from COVID-19

Nancy Kusmaul et al. J Aging Stud. 2022 Sep.

Abstract

This study investigates nursing home residents' and care partners' experiences during COVID-19 visitation restrictions. A nonprobability purposive sample of care partners was recruited via social media and email listservs. Care partners completed surveys (N = 30) and follow-up interviews (n = 17). Before COVID-19, care partners visited residents 3+ times per week for socialization and care. After restrictions, communication between care partners and nursing homes deteriorated. Families experienced reduced communication about residents' health statuses and little COVID-19 case information. Care partners expanded their advocacy roles, proposing policies to protect residents' rights. Care partners reported losing irreplaceable time with residents during restrictions. In future emergencies, we must balance the value of family visits with public health protection such as personal protective equipment (PPE).

Keywords: COVID-19; Care partners; Nursing home; Visitation restrictions.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no funding to report.

The authors have no conflicts of interest to report.

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