Adjustments in the range of activities offered in long-term care facilities during the COVID-19 visitor ban: Lessons learned

ABSTRACT

Background Residents of long term care facilities (LTCFs) are one of the most vulnerable groups worldwide to the coronavirus. During the COVID-19 outbreak in the Netherlands, as well as in many other countries, a national visitor-ban for LTCFs was in place (starting 20 March and (partly) ending on 15 June 2020). Organized (group) activities, offering a meaningful and pleasant day structure for both residents, were scaled down or completely stopped. So far, it remains unclear which particular types of activities were cancelled, whether ?replacement? activities were introduced that may acquire a structural character in the future, and how this affected care workers. Method Online questionnaire research into the consequences of the COVID-19 outbreak and restrictive measures in long term care facilities in the Netherlands was conducted at two points in time;six weeks after the COVID-19 visitor-ban was implemented (T1) and one week after the ban was (partly) lifted (T2). Residents, family members and care professionals were recruited independently for each measurement. This study only uses care professionals? data. Descriptive statistics, frequencies and independent t-tests were performed. Result During T1, 811 professionals completed the questionnaire, during T2 324. Care workers reported a decrease in regular group activities during the visitor-ban. For example, exercise activities, creative activities and music activities were undertaken less frequently. Domestic activities such as eating together and watching television were also scaled down as compared to before the visitor-ban. However, activities that could be easily done on the unit with sufficient social distance, such as music activities, conversations and playing games in the living room, were undertaken more frequently during the visitor-ban. The impact of the up- and downscaling of activities on care professional burden, and the perceived ability to provide adequate care, will be presented. Conclusion Activities are an important means for residents of long term care facilities for obtaining pleasure and giving a meaningful structure to the day. Future lessons can be learned from the adjustments that had to be made in the range of activities offered during the COVID-19 visitor-ban.