SEeking AnsweRs for Care Homes during the COVID-19 pandemic (COVID SEARCH). (15th September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Spilsbury, Karen; Devi, Reena; Griffiths, Alys; Akrill, Cyd; Astle, Anita; Goodman, Claire; Gordon, Adam; Hanratty, Barbara; Hodkinson, Peter; Marshall, Fiona; Meyer, Julienne; Thompson, Carl
• Is Part Of: Age and ageing. Volume 50:Number 2(2021)
• Page Start: 335
• Page End: 340
• Publication Date: 2020-09-15
• Subjects: long-term care -- COVID-19 -- pandemic -- older people -- uncertainties; Aging -- Periodicals; Geriatrics -- Periodicals; 618.97
• DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afaa201
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0002-0729

Abstract

Abstract: The care and support of older people residing in long-term care facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic has created new and unanticipated uncertainties for staff. In this short report, we present our analyses of the uncertainties of care home managers and staff expressed in a self-formed closed WhatsApp™ discussion group during the first stages of the pandemic in the UK. We categorised their wide-ranging questions to understand what information would address these uncertainties and provide support. We have been able to demonstrate that almost one-third of these uncertainties could have been tackled immediately through timely, responsive and unambiguous fact-based guidance. The other uncertainties require appraisal, synthesis and summary of existing evidence, commissioning or provision of a sector- informed research agenda for medium to long term. The questions represent wider internationally relevant care home pandemic-related uncertainties.