Nursing homes: haven or hell during COVID-19?

COVID-19. Chances are that this virus has impacted some part of your life.

As we approach retirement, our bodies begin to change. Many years of life have been lived, and it has taken a toll. Health issues become more regular, more life-threatening, and we become more susceptible to diseases such as dementia, arthritis, and different types of cancers just to name a few. Adding a global pandemic on top of all of this is a recipe for disaster. Nursing homes are doing their best to help the elderly in this rough time, but there is only so much they can do.

The hardships these nursing homes are enduring is shown through the results of the first major study conducted in Spain. It reveals that in 3 weeks, nearly two-thirds of the residents in the home were infected with COVID-19, killing 33% of those infected, not including 50 staff members and 16 visitors who also caught the virus.

The mortalities within the nursing homes in Spain are making up for a significant section of deaths associated with COVID-19. The nursing home staff are doing all they can to prevent the passing of this virus, but it has been a challenging task. The nursing homes are short on staff and protective equipment. This makes preventing the progression of this virus time consuming, expensive and tiring. With staff out either out on sick leave or quarantined, they simply do not have the manpower to tend to all of the residents living within the nursing homes. However, their needs are not being overlooked. Organisations such as World Health Organisations (WHO) are setting guidelines and rules to assist the nursing homes as they see fit, but it is still proving to be a challenge as in most countries the mortalities are still rising both within and outside nursing homes.

Not only is COVID-19 affecting nursing home resident physical health, but their mental

health too. Residents aren’t allowed visitors from family or friends, like leaving them feeling lonely and unwanted. Human nature is to socialise, it is a massive part of our existence. Taking that away leaves many feeling alone. It is in times like this that we should all be grateful for technology, and entertainment because, without them, everyone would be struggling a whole lot more.

Not only are they missing their family members and friends, but they are no longer doing any activities. Normally, they would be doing different types of games like bingo, or watching movies, but this can no longer happen as they are to remain distant from each other. Now they may be feeling lonely and bored. Not a great way to be spending your time.

The residents in the nursing homes are already suffering from old age, as well as other pre-existing health conditions, adding a worldwide pandemic to the mix make this even more challenging. You may be wondering, well is anything good happening to our most vulnerable? Due to the current circumstance in the world, the Australian Government has changed the laws so that the elderly may leave the nursing home and return to a family home, without being charged. This fixes the many problems they have been faced with, these feelings of loneliness and boredom. This is a massive plus for families, as they now see their loved ones being looked after and are aware that they are well.

Another plus is community hour. The supermarkets allocated a period in the morning for the most vulnerable to go to the shops, get their groceries and other shopping needs while also feeling safe and looked after. This proved to be a massive success!

There is a quote I would like to finish on, “The elderly were forced to war to protect us, and all they are asking of us is that we stay on our couch” Unknown. This is a beautiful reminder of all that they have done for us, and how little we need to do in return. Please, stay home, wash your hands and follows the government's guidelines. We need to do it for each other, we need to do it for them.

References

Fallon, A. and Duckaloe, T., 2020.COVID-19 In Nursing Homes. [online] Oxford Academic. Available at: <https://academic.oup.com/qjmed/advance-article/doi/10.1093/qjmed/hcaa136/5822872> [Accessed 31 May 2020].

Unknown, 2020.Coronavirus (COVID-19) And Aged Care - Aged Care Guide. [online] Aged Care Guide. Available at: <https://www.agedcareguide.com.au/topics/coronavirus-and-aged-care> [Accessed 31 May 2020].