Improving Family Presence in Long-Term Care during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Authors

Natasha L. Gallant, University of Regina
Marie Soleil Hardy, Université Laval
Idrissa Beogo, University of Ottawa
James Conklin, Concordia University
Denise Connelly, Western UniversityFollow
Sharon Kaasalainen, McMaster University
Janice Keefe, Mount Saint Vincent University
Annie Robitaille, University of Ottawa
Marie Lee Yous, University of Ottawa
Chaimaa Fanaki, McMaster University
Courtney Cameron, University of Regina

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2022

Journal

Healthcare Quarterly

Volume

25

Issue

Special Issue

First Page

40

Last Page

46

URL with Digital Object Identifier

10.12927/hcq.2022.26980

Abstract

Family caregivers play a vital role in supporting the physical and mental health of long-term care (LTC) residents. Due to LTC visitor restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, residents (as well as family caregivers) showed significant adverse health outcomes due to a lack of family presence. To respond to these outcomes, eight implementation science teams led research projects in conjunction with Canadian LTC homes to promote the implementation of interventions to improve family presence. Overall, technological and virtual innovations, increased funding to the sector and partnerships with family caregivers were deemed effective methods to promote stronger family presence within LTC.