ABSTRACT
Objective: to identify the contributions of the Humanitude Care Methodology in the comprehensive care provided to the elderly in a long-term care institution during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: a qualitative, exploratory and descriptive research study. Data collection took place through individual online interviews in September and October 2020 with eight caregivers of elderly people from a long-term care institution for aged people in Portugal. Thematic categorization was adopted for analysis and treatment of the information. Results: the contributions of the Humanitude Care Methodology contemplated operationalization of the humanization of care, that is, approach, consolidation, professionalization of the relationship, and intentionality in the interaction. It also contemplated the organizational system with changes in care and opening to the outside and, finally, contributions to aged people such as acceptance of the care provided, decrease in agitation, promotion of autonomy and self-care, respect, satisfaction and promotion of verticality. Conclusion: the strategies related to the Humanitude Care Methodology facilitate the care practices during the COVID-19 pandemic period. Although organizational and operational matters of the care provided were altered, it was possible to maintain comprehensive care for aged people, due to the fact that the principles of Humanitude were already integrated in the institution’s care practices. © 2022, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
The world population is experiencing a pandemic due to infection with the SARS-Cov-2 virus, which causes the COVID-19 disease. In Spain, the growth rate of the epidemic is 6.79% since the alarm activation with 9,1% of deaths of the total infected. Recommendations of the National Government to prevent health professional contagion include the placement of personal protection devices (FPP2 mask, gloves, waterproof gown, hat, and protective glasses or screen). Once healthcare professionals are using protective equipment, it is necessary to argue about the humanization of nursing caring in people suffering dying situation, who are infected with COVID-19, regarding a clinical case. The aim is to enhance nursing thinking to bridge that distance, and maintain care as human and close as possible, at the end of life.