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

Prince Chiagozie Ekoh (Department of Social Work, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria)

Working with Older People

ISSN: 1366-3666

Article publication date: 5 May 2021

Issue publication date: 24 November 2021

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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.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The author specially appreciate the efforts of Mr. Charles Nnaemeka Chukwu, Miss Ifeoma Chukwu and all the staff of the residential homes in ensuring that this study was a success. Funding: The author did not receive any funding for this study.

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

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited

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