OPTIMIZING OUTCOMES: HOW LONG-TERM CARE POLICIES CAN BALANCE INFECTION PREVENTION WITH MAINTAINING HOME-LIKE ENVIRONMENTS FOR RESIDENTS WITH BEHAVIOURAL SYMPTOMS

Abstract

The health benefits of homelike care environments are well established in the literature and but may become challenging to maintain during outbreaks of infection in long-term care settings. The aim of this research is to contribute to a broader understanding of the likely impacts of COVID-19 related restrictions on long-term care on residents’ health and wellbeing. This is done through examining what factors contribute to a sense of home for residents in long-term care and how do these factors impact residents’ health and wellbeing and what restrictions were imposed in LTC facilities in response to the pandemic, and how these restrictions were likely to impact residents’ feelings of being at home. The results of this research suggest that by promoting key factors such as socialization, regular routines, meaningful activity, and autonomy in distraction free environments, even under restrictions relating to disease outbreaks, can optimize the health and wellbeing of residents.