Center for Excellence in Assisted Living CEAL@UNC

Advancing the well-being of the people who live and work in assisted living through research, practice, and policy.

COVID-19

Caregivers’ Concerns about Assisted Living Residents’ Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Survey Study

Sep 1, 2022
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: Surveys with 673 caregivers from Western Canada found that concerns about residents' depressed mood, loneliness, and anxiety doubled three months after the COVID-19 pandemic started, compared with three months before the pandemic. Factors that may alleviate concerns in the future include improving residents' access to counseling services and better informing caregivers about resident care.

Caregivers’ Concerns about Assisted Living Residents’ Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Survey Study

by Lea Efird-Green

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: Surveys with 673 caregivers from Western Canada found that concerns about residents’ depressed mood, loneliness, and anxiety doubled three months after the COVID-19 pandemic started, compared with three months before the pandemic. Factors that may alleviate concerns in the future include improving residents’ access to counseling services and better informing caregivers about resident care.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Assisted Living Communities: Neighborhood Deprivation and State Social Distancing Policies Matter

Aug 1, 2022
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: Using confirmed COVID-19 cases from 5 states, assisted living communities with a higher population of Medicare/Medicaid dual-eligible minority residents were more likely to have COVID-19 cases, as were those located in more socioeconomically deprived neighborhoods. Communities in states with stricter social distancing policies had significantly lower numbers of cases.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Assisted Living Communities: Neighborhood Deprivation and State Social Distancing Policies Matter

by Lea Efird-Green

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: Using confirmed COVID-19 cases from 5 states, assisted living communities with a higher population of Medicare/Medicaid dual-eligible minority residents were more likely to have COVID-19 cases, as were those located in more socioeconomically deprived neighborhoods. Communities in states with stricter social distancing policies had significantly lower numbers of cases.

Prevalence and Correlates of Anxiety and Depression in Caregivers to Assisted Living Residents during COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study

Aug 1, 2022
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: A study of 673 family and friend caregivers of residents in AL from two Canadian provinces from Oct 2020 – Mar 2021 found that 29% had clinically significant anxiety and 39% had clinically significant depression. Caregivers who faced personal stressors such as health issues, reduced income, and lack of social support, along with concerns about residents due to COVID-19, were more likely to experience anxiety and depression. Healthcare providers and assisted living staff should be aware of caregivers' mental health challenges during public health crises and provide appropriate screening and support.

Prevalence and Correlates of Anxiety and Depression in Caregivers to Assisted Living Residents during COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study

by Lea Efird-Green

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: A study of 673 family and friend caregivers of residents in AL from two Canadian provinces from Oct 2020 – Mar 2021 found that 29% had clinically significant anxiety and 39% had clinically significant depression. Caregivers who faced personal stressors such as health issues, reduced income, and lack of social support, along with concerns about residents due to COVID-19, were more likely to experience anxiety and depression. Healthcare providers and assisted living staff should be aware of caregivers’ mental health challenges during public health crises and provide appropriate screening and support.

Dementia and COVID-19 Infection Control in Assisted Living in Seven States

Jun 1, 2022
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: The study examined how 119 assisted living administrators in 7 states implemented COVID-19 infection control practices from July 2020 to September 2021, including the feasibility of select infection control practices. Results indicated that although there were infection control challenges across all community types, dementia-specific communities faced the most difficulties. Less than half of administrators found it feasible to close indoor common areas, and residents, especially in dementia-specific communities, were less likely to wear masks and -wearing and physical distancing.

Dementia and COVID-19 Infection Control in Assisted Living in Seven States

by Lea Efird-Green

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: The study examined how 119 assisted living administrators in 7 states implemented COVID-19 infection control practices from July 2020 to September 2021, including the feasibility of select infection control practices. Results indicated that although there were infection control challenges across all community types, dementia-specific communities faced the most difficulties. Less than half of administrators found it feasible to close indoor common areas, and residents, especially in dementia-specific communities, were less likely to wear masks and -wearing and physical distancing.

The Impact of FFC-AL-EIT-D in Assisted Living during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Jun 1, 2022
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: Function Focused Care was tested in 51 assisted living communities in one state during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although there was no change in resident falls, emergency room visits, hospitalizations, or transfers to nursing homes, organizational policies and environments supporting physical activity for residents improved.

The Impact of FFC-AL-EIT-D in Assisted Living during the COVID-19 Pandemic

by Lea Efird-Green

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: Function Focused Care was tested in 51 assisted living communities in one state during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although there was no change in resident falls, emergency room visits, hospitalizations, or transfers to nursing homes, organizational policies and environments supporting physical activity for residents improved.

“We Weathered the Storm”: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study of the Lived Experience of Assisted Living Administrators during the COVID-19 Pandemic

May 1, 2022
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: A qualitative study interviewing five assisted living administrators about their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic found frequent changes in the administrators' experiences during the pandemic, including having limited resources and responding to rapid policy shifts.

“We Weathered the Storm”: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study of the Lived Experience of Assisted Living Administrators during the COVID-19 Pandemic

by Lea Efird-Green

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: A qualitative study interviewing five assisted living administrators about their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic found frequent changes in the administrators’ experiences during the pandemic, including having limited resources and responding to rapid policy shifts.

SARS-CoV-2 in Assisted Living: Mortality and Asymptomatic Infection

Apr 1, 2022
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: Two assisted living communities in New York had 42% of residents test positive for COVID-19 in April 2020; 68% of infected residents were asymptomatic. The frequency of asymptomatic cases may have contributed to a more widespread infection and mortality; 25% of resident deaths in these communities in April 2020 were due to COVID-19.

SARS-CoV-2 in Assisted Living: Mortality and Asymptomatic Infection

by Lea Efird-Green

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: Two assisted living communities in New York had 42% of residents test positive for COVID-19 in April 2020; 68% of infected residents were asymptomatic. The frequency of asymptomatic cases may have contributed to a more widespread infection and mortality; 25% of resident deaths in these communities in April 2020 were due to COVID-19.

Does Service Provider Matter during a Pandemic? COVID-19 Cases and Deaths among Nonprofit vs. For-Profit Assisted Living Facilities in Florida

Apr 1, 2022
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: This study investigated the relationship of ownership (nonprofit vs. for-profit) to Florida assisted living communities’ responses to COVID-19. In total, 672 of 3,019 communities reported at least one positive case by June 2020. Nonprofit communities had fewer cases, although there was no significant difference in resident deaths. Additionally, whether nursing services were provided in the community mattered in protecting residents from COVID-19 infections (i.e., not providing any nursing services was associated with more infections).

Does Service Provider Matter during a Pandemic? COVID-19 Cases and Deaths among Nonprofit vs. For-Profit Assisted Living Facilities in Florida

by Lea Efird-Green

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: This study investigated the relationship of ownership (nonprofit vs. for-profit) to Florida assisted living communities’ responses to COVID-19. In total, 672 of 3,019 communities reported at least one positive case by June 2020. Nonprofit communities had fewer cases, although there was no significant difference in resident deaths. Additionally, whether nursing services were provided in the community mattered in protecting residents from COVID-19 infections (i.e., not providing any nursing services was associated with more infections).

“What Keeps Me Awake at Night”: Assisted Living Administrator Responses to COVID-19

Mar 1, 2022
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: This study assessed how the early COVID-19 pandemic (Feb-Aug 2020) affected 40 assisted living administrators in Oregon. Three resulting themes from the interviews were emotion and burnout management (e.g., monitoring staff reactions), information management (e.g., monitoring latest recommendations and safety protocols), and crisis management (e.g., decision-making, emergency planning).

“What Keeps Me Awake at Night”: Assisted Living Administrator Responses to COVID-19

by Lea Efird-Green

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: This study assessed how the early COVID-19 pandemic (Feb-Aug 2020) affected 40 assisted living administrators in Oregon. Three resulting themes from the interviews were emotion and burnout management (e.g., monitoring staff reactions), information management (e.g., monitoring latest recommendations and safety protocols), and crisis management (e.g., decision-making, emergency planning).

Psychotropic and Pain Medication Use in Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities during COVID-19

Mar 1, 2022
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: This study focused on the potential impact of COVID-19 on the prescription of psychotropic and pain medication in nursing homes and assisted living. Nationally, there was relatively no change in the use of psychotropic and pain medications between pre- and post-COVID periods. However, there was increased use among individuals newly admitted during the pandemic, the cause of which was uncertain.

Psychotropic and Pain Medication Use in Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities during COVID-19

by Lea Efird-Green

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: This study focused on the potential impact of COVID-19 on the prescription of psychotropic and pain medication in nursing homes and assisted living. Nationally, there was relatively no change in the use of psychotropic and pain medications between pre- and post-COVID periods. However, there was increased use among individuals newly admitted during the pandemic, the cause of which was uncertain.

COVID-19 in Assisted Living: Protecting a Critical Long-Term Care Resource

Feb 16, 2022
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: This literature review explores how COVID-19 created challenges for both residents and staff in assisted living by providing an overview of its impact and suggesting actions to improve outcomes. Studies showed that residents experienced a decline in their health and happiness because of infection control measures, which made them feel lonely and isolated. Staff faced problems such as staff shortages, feeling overwhelmed and stressed, and dealing with emotional struggles. The article suggests solutions such as improving infection control, giving better training to staff, introducing Essential Caregiver programs, and encouraging residents to socialize more.

COVID-19 in Assisted Living: Protecting a Critical Long-Term Care Resource

by Lea Efird-Green

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: This literature review explores how COVID-19 created challenges for both residents and staff in assisted living by providing an overview of its impact and suggesting actions to improve outcomes. Studies showed that residents experienced a decline in their health and happiness because of infection control measures, which made them feel lonely and isolated. Staff faced problems such as staff shortages, feeling overwhelmed and stressed, and dealing with emotional struggles. The article suggests solutions such as improving infection control, giving better training to staff, introducing Essential Caregiver programs, and encouraging residents to socialize more.