Precious Time Together Was Taken Away”

Impact of Covid-19 Restrictive Measures on Social Needs and Loneliness from the Perspective of Residents of Nursing Homes, Close Relatives, and Volunteers

Bibliographic Data

ID15499717
AuthorsSuzie Noten (0000-0003-3754-9112, Tilburg University), Annerieke Stoop (0000-0002-6855-8073, Tilburg University, corresponding author), Jasper De Witte (0000-0001-5933-5743, KU Leuven), Elleke Landeweer (0000-0001-8856-6559, University Medical Center Groningen), Floor Vinckers (University Medical Center Groningen), Nina Hovenga (0000-0002-9352-7789, University Medical Center Groningen), Leonieke C van Boekel (0000-0002-4133-8396, Amphia Ziekenhuis), Katrien Luijkx (0000-0002-1856-3819, Tilburg University)
Year2022
Volume19
Issue6
Pages3468-3468
Publication date2022-03-15
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph19063468
PMID35329154
OpenAlexW4221121011
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited36

During the COVID-19 outbreak in March 2020, restrictive measures (e.g., prohibiting physical visits and group activities) were introduced in nursing homes to protect older residents. Although the importance of social contacts and social activities to fulfill social needs and avoid loneliness is known, these were challenged during the pandemic. This qualitative study specifically focused on how residents, close relatives, and volunteers in nursing homes experienced the restrictive measures in retrospect and gained insights into the impact of the restrictive measures on social needs and loneliness, and the lessons that could be learned. Thirty semi-structured, face-to-face interviews with residents and close relatives, and one online focus group with ten volunteers, were conducted. Recruitment took place at psychogeriatric and somatic units in the Northern, Eastern and Southern regions of the Netherlands and Flanders, Belgium. The interviews and focus group were transcribed verbatim, and an open, inductive approach was used for analysis. Alternative ways of social contact could not fully compensate for physical visits. Generally, participants reported that it was a difficult time, indicated by feelings of loneliness, fear, sadness, and powerlessness. A great diversity in loneliness was reported. The most important reasons for feeling lonely were missing close social contacts and social activities. The diversity in the impact of restrictive measures depended on, e.g., social needs, coping strategies, and character. Restrictive COVID-19 measures in nursing homes resulted in negative emotions and unmet social needs of residents, close relatives, and volunteers. During future outbreaks of the COVID-19 virus or another virus or bacterium, for which restrictive measures may be needed, nursing homes should actively involve residents, close relatives, and volunteers to balance safety, self-determination, and well-being

Coping (psychology · Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19 · Feeling · Focus group · Loneliness · Perspective (graphical · Psychiatry · Social distance · Social isolation · Social support · Sociology · Clinical Psychology · COVID-19 and Mental Health · Geriatric Care and Nursing Homes · Health disparities and outcomes · Medicine · Nursing · Psychology · Social Psychology · Gerontology

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