Disruptions in Relational Continuity: The Impact of Pandemic Public Health Measures on Families in Long-Term Care.
Heather A Cooke, Sarah A Wu, Anne Bourbonnais and 1 others
PMID 35674340WHAT IT FOUND
Family caregivers of long-term care residents described pandemic visitation restrictions as severing roles that maintained their relative’s identity and family bonds.
Spouses felt loss of self; adult daughters felt guilt and burden. Virtual visits were often unhelpful for residents with dementia or sensory impairment.
Key findings
01Caregivers said their support was distinct from staff care and vital to residents’ well-being, including routines and intimate care that upheld identity and dignity.
02Spousal caregivers said separation from their partner took away purpose and identity.
03Adult daughters described guilt and a heavy sense of burden in their caregiving role.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
Convenience sample recruited via social media may miss caregivers who use those platforms less. Only one male caregiver was included, so men’s perspectives are limited. All participants had completed college or a university degree, and the sample was well-educated, affluent, and English-speaking, with only one caregiver identifying as an ethnocultural minority. The study interviewed 14 caregivers about experiences. It did not measure resident outcomes, compare visitation policies, or test an intervention.
Declared interests
The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest. Funding came from Dr. Baumbusch’s Canadian Institutes of Health Research Chair in Sex and Gender Science.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that allowing family visits improves resident health. The study reports 14 caregivers’ experiences. It did not measure resident outcomes, compare visitation policies, or test an intervention.