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Schneider J, Tsoukalas T, Zulla R, Nicholas D, Hewson J. Exploring the COVID-19 Practice Experiences of Social Workers Working in Long Term Care. JOURNAL OF GERONTOLOGICAL SOCIAL WORK 2022:1-13. [PMID: 36285417 DOI: 10.1080/01634372.2022.2139321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic ushered in multiple public health protocols that shaped the service delivery system supporting older adults, their family caregivers and their formal care providers. In this qualitative study, sixteen social workers employed in long term care facilities in a western province of Canada shared their perspectives about the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on their practice early in the pandemic. Participants responded to nine open-ended online survey questions about their practice and experiences. Four themes were identified: (1) a changing and demanding work environment, (2) witnessing transitions in residents' quality of life, (3) impacts on relationships and work climate, and (4) personal impacts on social workers. Recommendations for enhancing capacity in the system were identified. Implications of findings illuminate a need for proactive preparedness approaches in order for social workers to address emergent and changing needs of residents and their families during a pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joann Schneider
- Continuing Care, Edmonton Zone, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, Canada
| | | | - Rosslynn Zulla
- Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - David Nicholas
- Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Jennifer Hewson
- Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
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Sadarangani TR, Gaugler JE, Dabelko-Schoeny H, Marx KA. Adult Day Services, Health Equity for Older Adults With Complex Needs, and the COVID-19 Pandemic. Am J Public Health 2022; 112:1421-1428. [PMID: 36103694 PMCID: PMC9480461 DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2022.306968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Morbidity and mortality from COVID-19 have unduly affected older adults from racial and ethnic minority groups. In this article, we highlight the experiences and vulnerabilities of diverse older adults with complex health and social needs when their access to vital, but overlooked, community-based adult day service centers (ADSCs) was abruptly cut off during a pandemic. Pandemic-related ADSC closures left vulnerable older adults and their care partners without essential daily support and services, such as health monitoring and socialization. However, the magnitude of the impact of ADSC closures on well-being, particularly among members of racial/ethnic minority groups, has yet to be measured with any form of "big data" because large-scale, nationally representative data sets consisting of participant-level information and outcomes associated with ADSC participation do not yet exist. Unmet needs of older adults resulting from pandemic-related ADSC closures are underrecognized because of a lack of systematic data collection, undermining efforts to achieve health equity. We call on ADSCs to link rigorous collection of racial and ethnic data to quality measures of access to equitable "age-friendly" care as a means of better supporting diverse community-dwelling older adults beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. (Am J Public Health. 2022;112(10):1421-1428. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2022.306968).
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina R Sadarangani
- Tina R. Sadarangani is with the Rory Meyers College of Nursing, New York University, New York. Joseph E. Gaugler is with the School of Public Health, Division of Health Policy and Management, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. Holly Dabelko-Schoeny is with the College of Social Work, Age-Friendly Innovation Center, Ohio State University, Columbus. Katherine A. Marx is with the School of Nursing, Center for Innovative Care in Aging, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
| | - Joseph E Gaugler
- Tina R. Sadarangani is with the Rory Meyers College of Nursing, New York University, New York. Joseph E. Gaugler is with the School of Public Health, Division of Health Policy and Management, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. Holly Dabelko-Schoeny is with the College of Social Work, Age-Friendly Innovation Center, Ohio State University, Columbus. Katherine A. Marx is with the School of Nursing, Center for Innovative Care in Aging, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
| | - Holly Dabelko-Schoeny
- Tina R. Sadarangani is with the Rory Meyers College of Nursing, New York University, New York. Joseph E. Gaugler is with the School of Public Health, Division of Health Policy and Management, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. Holly Dabelko-Schoeny is with the College of Social Work, Age-Friendly Innovation Center, Ohio State University, Columbus. Katherine A. Marx is with the School of Nursing, Center for Innovative Care in Aging, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
| | - Katherine A Marx
- Tina R. Sadarangani is with the Rory Meyers College of Nursing, New York University, New York. Joseph E. Gaugler is with the School of Public Health, Division of Health Policy and Management, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. Holly Dabelko-Schoeny is with the College of Social Work, Age-Friendly Innovation Center, Ohio State University, Columbus. Katherine A. Marx is with the School of Nursing, Center for Innovative Care in Aging, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
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