Staff members and residents must be able to trust that providers are working to keep them safe as the coronavirus pandemic continues to take a toll on both staff and residents, one expert stressed Thursday during a McKnight’s Online Forum on the topic of the coronavirus.
“Your staff needs to be able to trust that you’re doing everything in your control to protect them from virus exposure through isolation procedures, administrative control and adequate [personal protective equipment],” Jessica Castner, Ph.D., president and principal investigator/consultant for Castner Inc., said.
Castner, along with Maureen Style, a program development manager for HealthStar Home Health, provided several strategies for providers to address the mental health of LTC residents and workforce during this period of social distancing. Two other Online Forum sessions Thursday addressed leadership and staffing amid the COVID-19 crisis.
“Your leadership toolkit for the psychosocial disaster response begins with Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. It’s basic physiological needs, such as adequate sleep, nutrition, hydration, must be addressed first and foremost,” Castner added.
Education is also a key tool for providers during the pandemic, and providers should strive to communicate “honestly, consistently and often” with their workforce and residents. Castner explained that the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s coronavirus web page is a great resource for guidance.
“Consistently educate yourself, staff and residents with the most updated facts using reliable resources,” she said.
Providers should also refresh themselves and staff members on psychological first aid and potentially harmful coping strategies residents may use as a means to deal with the pandemic. Shared community coping could help improve psychosocial health in facilities experiencing mass fatalities and cases.
Style explained that some nonverbal cues from residents may include: yelling; issues with food, like overeating or not eating; and tapping. Residents may also show signs of fear, depression, loneliness or anger.
“We all know what is happening in today’s world. If you are managing a senior living setting, the challenges you face are compounded with what is happening in the real world. Fear and anxiety are escalating,” Style said.
Interventions for residents could include: self-directing them to activities they enjoy, and encouraging relaxation techniques to address anxiety and physical activity.
