Long-term care operators must provide more mental health and emotional support for nursing aides in response to the psychological and physical toll the pandemic has had on them, according to new research.
“Given their pivotal role in long-term care, there needs to be better recognition of the enormous challenges they face, and more support of their well-being in order to improve the quality of care for the vulnerable residents they so selflessly serve,” geriatrician Rossana Lau-Ng, MD, wrote in commentary published in October in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
Researchers focused on comments among nursing staff about the frustration over isolation and psychological stress.
“Prior to COVID-19, NAs (nursing assistants) in nursing homes felt a sense of belonging and togetherness with each other,” the group wrote. “With infection control related restrictions, they felt that their sense of community at the facilities was affected due to separation from each other and residents by PPE, physical barriers and other environmental limitations.”
Also, employees reporting on colleagues breaking protocol has led to mistrust and increased anxiety among the group.
From the December 2021 Issue of McKnight's Long-Term Care News
