The impact of novel coronavirus infection on the care facility staff

Abstract

　In this study, we conducted a questionnaire survey of representatives from care facilities for elderly adults (long-term care welfare facilities, geriatric health services facilities, and care houses) in Chiba Prefecture regarding the impact of the new coronavirus infection on facility staff. Regarding the amount of nursing care, majority of the respondents answered that it had increased in long-term care welfare facilities and geriatric health services facilities, while another section reported no change in care houses. Increased care was related to infection control and care for the elderly adults, while decreased care was related to recreational activities. Regarding the impact of the new coronavirus infection on the working environment of staff of the care facility, more than 80% reported an increase in the three categories: workload, psychological burden, and physical burden. Looking ahead to the post-corona period, the facilities are considering resuming family visits and events while continuing infection control measures, but along with the difficulty of determining when and how to resume such behavioral restrictions, there also exist management difficulties, like costs for infection control measures and personnel expenses. Furthermore, there were earnest requests for public support even after moving to category 5.