Anxiety, isolation and diminishing resources: the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on residential care home facilities for older people in south-east Nigeria

Abstract

Purpose

Institutionalized older adults in care homes and long-care facilities have been identified as being at greater risk of COVID-19 related morbidity and mortality. Thus, this paper aims to explore the impact of COVID-19 on care homes in south-east Nigeria given the recent increasing popularity of care homes in Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted qualitative research method, and data was collected from 10 older residents and 5 caregivers using interviews from two care homes, while ensuring the safety of the researcher and participants. The collected data was analyzed using thematic analysis.

Findings

Findings revealed that the physical health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is not a major problem in the homes. However, fear and anxiety, social disconnection and economic hardship were the major problems identified by the older residents and caregivers in the homes.

Originality/value

The popularity of care homes in Nigeria is growing as family structures continue to change. However, previous studies which have revealed devastating effect of COVID-19 on institutionalized older adults have been from the global north. This is the first study designed to bridge the gap in literature and contribute to knowledge on this topic from Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Citation

Ekoh, P.C. (2021), "Anxiety, isolation and diminishing resources: the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on residential care home facilities for older people in south-east Nigeria", Working with Older People, Vol. 25 No. 4, pp. 273-282. https://doi.org/10.1108/WWOP-01-2021-0001