Abstract
Background
The COVID-19 pandemic is recognised as having a significant impact on older people, particularly on those within nursing homes. Prior to the pandemic, a significant focus was ...placed on the application of a social model of care within nursing homes. We know that COVID-19 has required the stringent application of infection prevention and control measures as well as the provision of increased amounts of clinical care. This has resulted in the recent stronger application of a medical model of care within nursing homes.
Methods
A roundtable event attended by twenty-six people took place. Attendees represented clinical Gerontology, the Irish College of General Practitioner, Sage Family Forum, The Health Information and Quality Authority, Nursing Homes Ireland and nursing home providers. A number of presentations were made, and a roundtable discussion took place about the model of nursing home care post pandemic. Key messages from presentations and the discussion were captured. A report was compiled and shared with attendees to check for accuracy.
Results
The following key messages were identified:
1. Social care is a cornerstone of nursing home care
2. Increased integration of nursing homes within the wider health and social care system is required
3. Increased access to services for nursing home residents is required
4. Regulatory reform is required
5. Resourcing of nursing home care needs to be appropriately addressed
6. The nursing home sector need to be included in conversations around policy and service development affecting nursing home care in Ireland.
Conclusion
Nursing homes are an essential part of the healthcare system in Ireland and have been shown to be adaptable throughout the course of the pandemic. A one size fits all approach is an unlikely fit for purpose approach as we look towards the future with COVID-19.
Abstract
Background
The COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately affected older people and had a profound impact on the nursing home and residential care sector. COVID-19 also exposed weaknesses in how ...our health systems support the nursing home sector that must be addressed. The National Public Health Emergency Team recommended the establishment of an Expert Panel to examine the issues regarding the management of COVID-19 in nursing homes. A report was published in August 2020 that contains a range of recommendations in line with lessons learned and best practice, to be implemented over the following 12–18 months.
Methods
A review and analysis of the COVID-19 Nursing Homes Expert Panel Report and its 86 recommendations took place to understand the impact of implementing the recommendations on the nursing home sector, to understand the supports required to implement the recommendations and to outline an implementation framework to deliver the recommendations and to realise a sustainable change.
Results
The impact Assessment revealed the following:
1. Community integration is required where nursing home residents have greater access to services and where adequate supports and collaboration across the continuum of care is realise.
2. A workforce strategy is required that considers recruitment, retention, training and education.
3. A funding model that ensures funding is based on an assessment of resident need and dependency level is required.
Conclusion
While the long-term timeline and impacts of COVID-19 are still unknown, it is clear that health and social care services need to plan for future healthcare emergencies and the long-term sustainability of the nursing home sector. This pandemic and the Expert Panel’s recommendations have reinforced the urgent need to create systems where collaborative actions and integrated care is resident focussed and will ensure ‘care is better planned, coordinated, delivered and easier to access.
