Study explores pandemic’s impact on long-term care aides

A study concluded long-term care aides must have more support, including adequate staffing levels and resources, pandemic preparedness and mental health assistance. Published in the Journal of American Geriatrics Society, the study consisted of interviews with 52 care aides across eight different nursing homes on their experiences working during the pandemic’s first year. Staffing shortages, increased workloads, witnessing resident deaths, coupled with fear of possible infection, intensified their stress and fatigue. Care aides also reported little communication with managers, making it difficult for them to stay current with changes in staffing, policies and care for residents. They relied on each other, their faith and community for resilience. The study noted a dearth of information on the pandemic experiences of front-line long-term care workers. (HealthLeaders Media article, 10/26/22)