[The situation of informal caregivers of working age in the COVID-19 pandemic-results of an online survey in Germany]. / Die Situation pflegender Angehöriger im erwerbsfähigen Alter in der COVID-19-Pandemie ­ Ergebnisse einer Onlinebefragung in Deutschland.

BACKGROUND: The consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic have posed major challenges to different groups. One of these are informal caregivers. This study investigates the changes the pandemic has caused for informal caregivers and the extent to which quality of life and burden of care have changed for specific subgroups. METHODS: Data for this cross-sectional study was gathered in the summer of 2020 in a convenient sample of informal caregivers (< 67 years of age, N = 1143). In addition to sociodemographic data, information on the care situation, compatibility of care and work, as well as stress and quality of life was collected in an online survey. The analysis of care situations and compatibility of care and work is done descriptively. Logistic regression models are used for a subgroup analysis of quality of life and care burden. RESULTS: The care situation has changed for 54.7% of participants and has become more time consuming. For 70.8% of respondents, the COVID-19 pandemic has made it even more difficult to balance care-giving and work. However, most respondents were satisfied with their employers' pandemic management (65.9%). A sharp decline in the quality of life and an increase in the burden of care for informal caregivers was ascertained. Both developments are stronger for young and female caregivers and for those caring for people with a greater need of support. DISCUSSION: The results indicate that living situations worsened for a substantial proportion of informal caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Policymakers should recognize additional challenges that informal caregivers have faced since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and how they vary by subgroups. It is important to include home-based informal care as well as other care settings in future pandemic concepts.

Pflege in Zeiten von Corona: Zentrale Ergebnisse einer deutschlandweiten Querschnittsbefragung vollstationärer Pflegeheime.

Long-term care during the Corona pandemic - Main results from a nationwide online survey in nursing homes in Germany Abstract. Background: As a highly vulnerable group, people in need of long-term care are particularly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to their care-dependency, measures of social distancing can only be carried out to a very limited extent. In addition, the social and health consequences of reduced contacts are particularly high for nursing home residents. AIM: The study aims to describe the extent to which nursing homes are affected, the human and material resources of nursing homes, the organizational handling of the situation, and their requests for public support. METHODS: More than 7,000 nursing homes were invited to participate in an online survey with quantitative and qualitative elements. Data analysis applies descriptive statistics. RESULTS: 824 nursing homes participated in the survey. One in five nursing homes has at least one confirmed case of SARS-CoV-2 among its residents and / or employees. The initial lack of protective equipment has now decreased, but the facilities still have to cope with additional corona-related care needs with reduced staff. Nursing homes have banned contacts between residents and relative to an extent that now has to be reduced again. Nursing homes demand the provision and external financing of protective equipment as well as the systematic and regular testing of nursing staff and the provision of uniform guidelines for action throughout Germany. CONCLUSIONS: As about half of all deceased people with COVID-19 have been living in nursing homes, the support of nursing homes in their attempt to restrict the pandemic requires highest attention.

[Needs of long-term nursing in the COVID-19 pandemic]. / Bedarfe der Langzeitpflege in der COVID-19-Pandemie.

The SARS-CoV­2 virus and the associated disease COVID-19 pose major challenges to healthcare systems worldwide. Especially the vulnerable group of people in need of long-term care is at risk of suffering a severe course of the disease or of dying from the infection.In a nationwide cross-sectional study the situation and needs of inpatient and outpatient long-term care facilities during the SARS-CoV­2 pandemic were assessed and analyzed using an online survey.Participants from 531 institutions postulated the need for uniform recommendations for action on SARS-CoV­2, adequate and affordable protective and hygiene materials, serial tests in the institutions, well-founded advice on the implementation of interventions, a specific pandemic plan and supporting public relations work by the media. This calls for higher nursing remuneration, better staffing levels and greater appreciation of the nursing profession.In order to protect the vulnerable group of people in need of nursing care from a SARS-CoV­2 infection, long-term care must be given a stronger focus in health policy measures during the pandemic.

Pflege in Zeiten von Corona: Ergebnisse einer deutschlandweiten Querschnittbefragung von ambulanten Pflegediensten und teilstationären Einrichtungen.

Care in times of Corona: Results of a cross-sectional study in German home care services Abstract. Background: People in need of care are particularly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic due to their age and previous illnesses. At the same time, a large number of daily contacts between nursing staff and those in need of care increase the risk of transmission of the disease. AIM: The study aims to illustrate (I) to what extent home care services and semi-residential care facilities are affected by COVID-19, (II) human and material resources, (III) the care situation of those in need of care and (IV) the organizational handling of the situation and outline support requests to politicians. METHODS: More than 12,000 home-care nursing services and semi-residential care facilities were invited to participate in an online survey with quantitative and qualitative elements, 701 nursing services (response rate 7,3 %) and 96 semi-residential facilities (response rate 3,5 %) took part. RESULTS: Almost a third (30,1 %, 189 / 627) of the nursing services surveyed are affected by confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19 among clients. About half of the services report a reduced use of SGB V (47,6 %, 288 / 605) or SGB XI services (59,7 %, 375 / 628). Two thirds of the semi-residential facilities (65,6 %, 63 / 96) say they are currently closed due to the pandemic. Likewise, half of the nursing services (45,8 %, 253 / 552) reported that care with reduced use of services was at risk / unstable or even not ensured. CONCLUSIONS: The results show that the situation of care-dependent people served by home-care services in the present pandemic - and also with a view to a possible second wave - should receive increased attention particularly with regard to unstable / risky care arrangements.