Staff Perceptions of the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Older Adults Living in a Residential Long-Term Care Facility.

Older adults residing in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) were an at-risk group during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Actions to prevent transmission in LTCFs included visitation restrictions, suspension of group activities, and isolating residents in their rooms. Despite these measures, this vulnerable cohort experienced high levels of infection and mortality. The current article reports RNs' and health care assistants' perceptions of the impact of COVID-19 on residents in a LTCF. Using a descriptive qualitative design, semi-structured interviews, which were conducted with seven RNs and four health care assistants, were thematically analyzed. Three themes emerged: Impact on Daily Routine, Disruption to Relationships With Staff, and Vulnerability. Staff perceived residents were negatively impacted physically, emotionally, and socially as a direct consequence of COVID-19 and by strategies introduced to protect them contracting the virus. It is recommended that the long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on this cohort be evaluated from the perspective of all stakeholders (i.e., residents, staff, and families) using a longitudinal research design. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 49(10), 44-50.].

Experiences of a Nursing Team Working in a Residential Care Facility for Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Experiences of staff working in residential long-term care facilities (LTCFs) during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic are likely to differ from that of staff working in acute hospitals. The aim of the current study was to describe the experiences of the nursing team supporting frail older adults with high medical and care needs living in a LTCF. Using a descriptive qualitative design, data were gathered via one-to-one semi-structured interviews and thematically analyzed. Four themes emerged: Providing Care During COVID-19, Impact of COVID-19 on Staff, Organizational Management of COVID-19, and Training and Education. Visitation restrictions and staff shortages impacted all aspects of work life. Staff reported increased stress and exhaustion with COVID-19 infection resulting in long-term health issues. It is important to learn from these experiences to inform and empower staff to manage future outbreaks of infectious diseases. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 49(3), 40-46.].

Enhancing social inclusion of young adults with intellectual disabilities: A systematic review of original empirical studies.

BACKGROUND: Social inclusion is regarded as an important determinant of health, particularly for young adults with intellectual disabilities. However, only a limited number of reviews report on the findings of original empirical studies on social inclusion of young adults with intellectual disabilities. This review provides a succinct synopsis of original empirical studies on social inclusion among young adults with intellectual disabilities for the period between January 2013 and January 2019. METHODS: Studies were drawn from three electronic databases: ScienceDirect, PubMed and PsycINFO. In addition, hand searches were carried out in several international journals focusing on intellectual disability research. The review included both qualitative and quantitative studies. In all, 24 key studies met the inclusion criteria for this review. The Methodological Quality Checklist developed by Downs and Black (Journal of Epidemiology Community Health, 1998, 52, 377) was used to independently assess study quality, and the Cochrane Collaboration Intervention Clinical Appraisal Form was used to extract data and outcome measures for each study. RESULTS: Among the key findings, structured and organized social inclusion interventions were reported to create better opportunities to engage in social interactions and improve social skills. Moreover, evaluating outcomes on the two core quality-of-life domains, that of interpersonal relationships and community participation, were reported to facilitate positive outcomes for social inclusion of young adults with intellectual disabilities. CONCLUSION: There is a need to do an in-depth exploration of the potential impact of facilitators that promote social inclusion of young adults with intellectual disabilities, by conducting rigorous empirical investigations.

Efficacy of parent training incorporated in behavioral sleep interventions for children with autism spectrum disorder and/or intellectual disabilities: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: Behavioral sleep interventions are regularly used to improve sleep problems experienced by children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and/or intellectual disability (ID). Recent developments have seen the introduction of parent sleep education and healthy sleep practice training to sleep interventions. This article aims to systematically review the evidence on the efficacy of parent training that is incorporated within recent sleep interventions for children with ASD and/or ID. METHOD: Electronic databases and manual searches of reference lists identified 11 studies (n = 416 children) that met the inclusion criteria. RESULTS: The evidence presented in this systematic review would suggest that the inclusion of parent training within behavioral sleep interventions for children with ASD and/or ID is generally effective and valued by parents. Nine of the 11 studies reviewed reported a reduction in sleep problems. CONCLUSION: The literature conveys an emerging evidence-based practice that could contribute to future behavioral sleep research and guide best-practice decisions to support effective parent training to improve sleep outcomes for children with ASD and/or ID.

E-Inclusion: Social Inclusion of Young Adults with Intellectual Disabilities - A Participatory Design.

By examining the role of digital tools and social media, this paper discusses an innovative prospective research study to enhance social inclusion of young adults with intellectual disabilities (ID). The paper begins with an overview of how individuals with disabilities have historically been excluded from society based on limited access and minimal opportunities afforded to them. Next, the paper presents the caveats that may hinder the improvement of social inclusion of young adults with ID and the oversights when developing digital technologies. Details about a prospective intervention research study are described that include a mobile application and a social media component. Finally, implications for research and practice are highlighted to emphasize the fundamental call for an insightful deliberation of these caveats that needs to be addressed in the design of a research study of this nature.

Change in Health-Related Quality of Life among Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients at Primary Health Care Settings in South Africa: A Prospective Cohort Study.

INTRODUCTION: Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) remains a major public health challenge in South Africa. However, little attention is paid to the impact of health related quality of life (HRQL) among TB patients at the beginning and at the end of TB treatment. This study assesses factors associated with HRQL among tuberculosis patients in three high risk provinces in South Africa. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted at primary health care settings. Patients completed the HRQL social functioning (SF)-12 health survey. Comparison of Physical Health Summary Score (PCS) and Mental Health Summary Score (MCS) was assessed at 6 months after treatment. Generalized estimating equations (GEEs) were used to examine the factors associated with changes in HRQL. RESULTS: In all patients, after 6 months of treatment there was a significant improvement in HRQL with the biggest increase in the PCS. A higher educational qualification had a strong significant positive effect on the mental HRQL. Psychological distress showed a significant negative association with physical and mental HRQL after six months. Permanent residence showed a significant positive association with mental HRQL among TB patients compared to those living in shack/traditional dwellings. Rating ones health as being good and fair/poor was significantly associated with poor physical HRQL. Twenty drinks or more in the past month had a significant negative effect on the physical HRQL. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that programmes targeted at improving TB treatment success should have specific interventions for patients with low educational background, impoverished households/communities and those with hazardous or harmful alcohol use.