In the Eye of the Storm: A Quantitative and Qualitative Account of the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Dutch Home Healthcare

Bulck, Anne O. E. van den; Korte, Maud H. de; Metzelthin, Silke; Elissen, Arianne; Everink, Irma H. J.; Ruwaard, Dirk; Mikkers, Misja

doi:10.3390/ijerph19042252

Cited by 8 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…Unmet home care needs were exacerbated by the response to COVID-19 when home care services were restricted or reduced, particularly during the early phase of the pandemic. Personal care and therapies for persons with dementia were significantly interrupted, although, home care services rebounded to historical highs [ 8 , 34 ]. Consistent with the literature [ 35 – 37 ], limits on home care service and family availability were associated with LTC placement.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Towards defining quality in home care for persons living with dementia

et al. 2022

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Introduction Accelerating rates of dementia worldwide coupled with older adults living longer in the community calls for greater focus on quality home care support services. Few frameworks for quality dementia home care exist though prior findings have found elements considered to be important for “good” home care for people living with dementia. This study aimed to identify core components of a quality home care experience for people with dementia and their caregivers. Methods As part of a larger research study, in-depth interviews were conducted with persons living with dementia and caregivers (n = 25) to explore hospital-to-home care transitions. The design used for this study was a qualitative description. We used deductive-inductive thematic analysis, which was informed by previous work in this area. Open codes were mapped to pre-determined themes, and for codes not accommodated by an a piori framework, new themes were developed. Findings Our findings resulted in 4 overarching themes. Two themes were identified deductively (Availability and Acceptability of Home Care Services) and two inductively (Adaptability and Affordability of Home Care Services). Findings highlight the roles of family—care provider partnerships and responsive support in receiving quality home care, and the cost associated with unmet needs. Interpretation With an aging population, an increase in home care client acuity, and post-COVID-19 concerns over long-term care, more attention is needed to improve the quality of home care. The demand for these services will continue to increase particularly for those living with dementia and their families. The findings of availability, acceptability, adaptability, and affordability as core to quality care can help lay the groundwork for a home care framework for persons living with dementia and their caregivers. Future research could benefit from comparative analyses to evaluate the applicability of the findings to non-dementia home care service users and caregivers.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Towards defining quality in home care for persons living with dementia

et al. 2022

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“…Through the gerontological nursing perspective, this study focused on pandemic as climatic stressor that bears high risk for both caregivers and their clients. During the first waves of COVID‐19, many formal caregivers felt they were left alone in an unsafe environment, with limited access to information and resources and with many dilemmas regarding safety precautions (Osakwe et al, 2021 ; van den Bulck et al, 2022 ). Such a state of mind might result in higher anxiety and depressive symptoms.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Moreover, formal caregivers who had to travel by public transportation from one home to another and work closely with more severely impaired older people were at greater risk to infect them or to be infected themselves. In some countries, homecare delivery to non‐urgent cases was scaled back or cancelled (van den Bulck et al, 2022 ). Due to their position in emergency work, Israeli formal caregivers provided home care even during government enforced lockdowns.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The moderating effect of care‐burden on formal caregiver's mental health during COVID‐19

Karni‐Efrati

Palgi

Greenblatt‐Kimron

et al. 2022

Int J Older People Nursing

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Background Homecare organisations employ professionals (i.e. gerontologists, nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and social workers) to help their clients gain rights and supervise non‐professional formal caregivers. Formal caregivers, and especially those who work closely with impaired older people, are at greater risk of infecting or being infected by SARS‐Cov‐2 (COVID‐19). During the first waves of COVID‐19, older people were encouraged to stay home; and the care‐burden inflicted on their caregivers has increased. Objectives This study examined formal caregiver's mental health during the COVID‐19 pandemic, that is, the association between anxiety and depression symptoms and how care‐burden moderated this association. Methods A cross‐sectional online survey conducted in the home care services sector throughout Israel. A sample of 400 formal caregivers of older people (M age = 47.7, SD = 13.8) completed a questionnaire regarding their levels of care‐burden, general anxiety symptoms, and depressive symptoms. Results A significant positive relationship was found between anxiety and depressive symptoms among formal caregivers. The level of care‐burden moderated this relationship, showing that caregivers with higher care‐burden demonstrated a stronger association between anxiety and depressive symptoms. Conclusions Professionals may use ADL/IADL as a practical index to assess care‐burden and the risk of mistreatment. Implications for Practice Formal caregivers with higher care‐burden should get enhanced professional's support to reduce adverse mental health outcomes.

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“…In previous literature, organizational factors have been identified as substantially driving adherence to infection prevention and control measures (Adams et al, 2021;Barratt et al, 2020;Chughtai et al, 2020;Nichol et al, 2013;Shigayeva et al, 2007); however, they were not found to be significant predictors of FPE adherence in this study. Despite challenges related to global FPE shortages experienced throughout the health care sector (Shang et al, 2020;van den Bulck et al, 2022), the proportion of respondents who reported that their needs were well met at an organizational level was very high -FPE was available and conveniently accessible, the vast majority of staff reported receiving adequate training, and media attention regarding COVID-19 was high. While there was some diversity in perceptions of organizational support and communication related to health and safety, approximately two thirds of respondents in both the adherent and non-adherent groups reported high levels of support and communication.…”

Section: Organizational Factors Influencing Adherencementioning

confidence: 99%

“…This sector, like others in global health care systems, faced extreme challenges early in the pandemic related to securing adequate supplies of facial protective equipment (FPE) and other necessary infection prevention and control (IPAC) supplies. These shortages were managed through extraordinary measures including rationing, extended use and limited reuse of these scarce resources (Shang et al, 2020;van den Bulck et al, 2022).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%