“Let me touch him”: Perceptions and experiences of family caregivers of nursing home residents during the COVID-19 outbreak in Israel

• Published in: Journal of aging studies Vol. 64; p. 101115
• Main Authors: Dolberg, Pnina, Lev, Sagit, Even-Zahav, Ronit
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Inc 01.03.2023
• Subjects: Aged; Caregivers; COVID-19; Disease Outbreaks; Family caregivers; Focus groups; Humans; Israel; Male; Nursing Homes; Pandemics; Touch; Israel; COVID-19; Nursing homes; Focus groups; Family caregivers
• ISSN: 0890-4065; 1879-193X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jaging.2023.101115

Older adults in nursing homes were particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 morbidity and mortality worldwide. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, visitations in nursing homes were restricted. The present study examined the perceptions and experiences of family caregivers of nursing home residents during the COVID-19 crisis in Israel and their coping strategies. Online focus group interviews were held with 16 family caregivers of nursing home residents. Three main categories were identified through Grounded Theory techniques: (a) Anger and decreased trust in nursing homes; (b) Perception of the residents as victims of the nursing home policy; (c) Coping strategies at different levels. The outbreak redefined family caregivers' understanding of their role. Practical implications include making the voice of the family caregivers heard, identifying effective coping strategies, and creating a dialogue between family caregivers, nursing home managements, and staff. •Older adults in nursing homes are vulnerable to COVID-19 morbidity and mortality.•Family carers perceived negatively nursing homes' policy and performance.•Family carers saw COVID-19 severe implications for residents' health and well-being.•The outbreak refined the question of family carers' role definition.