Delivering a psychosocial program for older people living in retirement homes during the Covid‐19 pandemic: A process evaluation and recommendations for community interventions

Abstract

The Covid‐19 pandemic lockdown regulations caused retirement homes to temporarily ban in‐person visitation potentially increasing the mental health risks of older people. An opportunity arose for a multistakeholder community collaboration to design a mental health program for older people. To evaluate the process of delivering a 12‐week psychosocial program aimed at preventing loneliness, countering boredom, and providing older people in restricted settings with education about Covid‐19 during the lockdown, in Durban, South Africa. A qualitative retrospective design was used. Data from two focus groups and six semistructured individual interviews conducted with stakeholders (volunteers, social workers, and residents) postproject were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Stakeholders had varied experiences of the project, in terms of content, processes of engagement, and implementation, resulting in five themes. The study concluded with recommendations. A strong need exists for multistakeholder community collaborations when implementing a program where the context restricts physical access.

National cross-sectional survey on psychological impact on French nursing homes of the first lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic as observed by psychologists, psychomotor, and occupational therapists

“…The lockdown's negative effects were observed across NHs, affecting residents, families, caregivers, and mental health professionals. Finally, the international literature seems to support the same conclusions as our article within the studied populations (9)(10)(11)(26)(27)(28)(29). Tailored regional support aligned with NH characteristics is imperative, including training mental health professionals in coping strategies and psychosocial interventions (27).…”

“…Suggestions for targeted interventions may involve offering psychological support techniques to professionals, establishing a supportive culture, regular emotional monitoring, and involving psychologists trained in evidence-based therapies, such as Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies (CBT). These interventions could encompass ongoing training programs for healthcare staff, or older adult ( 29 ), aiming to develop specific skills in emotional management and psychological support to address the unique challenges encountered in care facilities. Implementing protocols to foster an organizational culture that encourages the expression of emotions and peer support could also be a promising intervention approach.…”

Locked Down in the Rainbow Nation: Alleviating the Loneliness of South African Older Persons

“…From the literature the authors identified only one South African study reporting on a creative example of service delivery to address mental health risks, including the prevention of loneliness and boredom among older persons during COVID-19 (Jarvis et al, 2022). This population of older persons resided in Durban, and all were in residential care.…”