Introduction
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted long-term care (LTC) facilities, especially regarding family presence policies. The research article "Family Presence in Long-Term Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Call to Action for Policy, Practice, and Research" highlights the importance of family involvement in LTC settings and the implications of restricting family presence during the pandemic.
Understanding the Impact
Family presence in LTC facilities is crucial for maintaining residents' quality of life and health outcomes. The research indicates that family caregivers provide 70-90% of care for individuals with complex conditions, including feeding, washing, and emotional support. Restricting family presence can lead to negative outcomes such as confinement syndrome, moral distress, and poorer health outcomes for residents.
Policy Implications
The research emphasizes the need for nuanced and compassionate policies that balance infection control with family engagement. Policies should reflect the unique needs of LTC settings and prioritize family involvement in care planning and decision-making. Practitioners can advocate for policies that:
- Clearly define essential visitors and the criteria for visitation.
- Include rapid appeal processes for visitation decisions.
- Mandate communication strategies to maintain contact between residents, families, and care staff.
Practice Implications
Practitioners can enhance their skills by implementing practices that support family presence while adhering to infection control guidelines. This includes:
- Educating families on infection control practices and self-monitoring for symptoms.
- Facilitating alternate communication methods such as video calls for residents and families.
- Supporting designated family members to co-habit on-site for residents with high support needs.
Research Implications
Further research is needed to understand the impact of family presence on infection control and resident outcomes. Practitioners can contribute to research efforts by collecting data on resident outcomes and exploring innovative communication methods, such as virtual reality, to enhance family engagement during restrictions.
Conclusion
Practitioners play a vital role in advocating for policies and practices that balance infection control with family engagement in LTC settings. By implementing research outcomes and contributing to ongoing research efforts, practitioners can enhance their skills and improve care for residents and their families.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Family Presence in Long-Term Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Call to Action for Policy, Practice, and Research.
