LTCcovid Country Profiles

Responses to 2.06. Other impacts of the pandemic on people who use Long-Term Care

Japan

There is limited information. One article points to challenges in the use of technology/remote consultations with older population, plus financial pressures on care providers.

Last updated: August 4th, 2021

Pakistan

There is little available information on the impacts of the pandemic on care sector in Pakistan, in part because the care sector itself is not well-developed. However, there are suggestions that the economic insecurity that the pandemic has given rise to has especially affected older people who were previously working informally and in small businesses, on which their livelihoods depend on (Ayesha, 2021). This is true especially as only around 20 per cent of people aged 60 or more in Pakistan receive any form of pension (Qureshi, 2021).

References:

Ayesha, A. (2021). Be age-friendly during COVID -19 Pandemic. https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/11- May-2020/be-age-friendly-during-covid-19-pandemic

W. Qureshi (2021). Four pension reforms that could improve older people’s life in Pakistan. https://www. helpage.org/blogs/waqas-qureshi-19658/four- pension-reforms-that-could-improve-older-peoples-lifein-pakistan-1078/

Last updated: January 27th, 2022   Contributors: Daisy Pharoah  |  

Thailand

A study in Thailand investigated how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected 200 older adults without dementia living at two government long-term care centres during August 2020 to October 2020. The study found that residents in these care homes experienced negative impacts on their finances, this is because the income of most older care home residents in government care homes is from donations and this is often linked to organised activities or visits that did not take place because of infection risk reduction measures.

The residents also reported loss of freedom as they were no longer able to freely go in and out of the centre. The residents also reported more disagreements and worse relationships with family members, and with other residents and staff.

References:

Srifuengfung, M., Thana-Udom, K., Ratta-Apha, W., Chulakadabba, S., Sanguanpanich, N., & Viravan, N. (2021). Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on older adults living in long-term care centers in Thailand, and risk factors for post-traumatic stress, depression, and anxiety. Journal of Affective Disorders, 295, 353–365. https://doi.org/https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2021.08.044

Last updated: January 14th, 2022

England (UK)

People with intellectual disabilities and autistic people

Apart from impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on access to health and social care services and the health and wellbeing of people with intellectual disabilities, UK-wide interviews with approximately 500 adults with intellectual disabilities and surveys with approximately 300 family carers and support workers have reported a range of other impacts on people’s lives. In July-August 2021, largely after COVID-19 restrictions were lifted in England, 19% of people with intellectual disabilities with greater support needs across the UK (including people with profound and multiple intellectual disabilities) were reported to be still shielding. Over a quarter of adults with intellectual disabilities reported that someone they knew well had died (of any cause) during the COVID-19 pandemic. In terms of paid employment, most but not all people with intellectual disabilities in paid employment before the pandemic were in paid employment in the July/August 2021, often via furlough or people’s jobs being held open (Flynn et al., 2021).

No systematic information is available concerning the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on autistic people without intellectual disabilities in England.

People with impaired mental capacity living in care homes and human rights

There have been concerns about the impact of the pandemic on the human rights of people with impaired mental capacity living in care homes, with research showing that the key legal mechanisms to protect the human rights of care home residents did not operate well, with confusion among professionals as to whether the public health and infection control guidance should supersede, or not, the legal framework that protects the rights of exceptionally vulnerable residents (Kuylen et al. 2022).

References:

Flynn, S., Hayden, N., Clarke, L., Caton, S., Hatton, C., Hastings, R. P., Abbott, D., Beyer, S., Bradshaw, J., Gillooly, A., Gore, N., Heslop, P., Jahoda, A., Maguire, R., Marriott, A., Oloidi, E., Paris, A., Mulhall, P., Scior, K., Taggart, L., & Todd, S. (2021). Coronavirus and people with learning disabilities study Wave 3 Results: September 2021 (Full Report). Coventry, UK: University of Warwick. ISBN: 978-1-871501-37-7

Kuylen M., Wyliie A., Bhatt V., Fitton E., Michalowski S., Martin W. (2022) COVID-19 and the Mental Capacity Act in care homes: Perspectives from capacity professionals. Health and Social Care in the Community. https://doi.org/10.1111/hsc.13747

Last updated: March 7th, 2022   Contributors: Chris Hatton  |  Adelina Comas-Herrera  |  

Northern Ireland (UK)

Adults with intellectual disabilities and autistic people

Apart from impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on access to health and social care services and the health and wellbeing of people with intellectual disabilities, UK-wide interviews with approximately 500 adults with intellectual disabilities and surveys with approximately 300 family carers and support workers have reported a range of others impacts on people’s lives. In July – August 2021, largely after COVID-19 restrictions were lifted in England, 19% of people with intellectual disabilities with greater support needs across the UK (including people with profound and multiple intellectual disabilities) were reported to be still shielding. Over a quarter of adults with intellectual disabilities reported that someone they knew well had died (or any cause) during the COVID-19 pandemic. In terms of paid employment, most but not all people with intellectual disabilities in paid employment before the pandemic were in paid employment in July/ August 2021, often via furlough or people’s jobs being held open.

No systematic information is available concerning the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on autistic people without intellectual disabilities in England.

Last updated: March 8th, 2022   Contributors: Chris Hatton  |  

Scotland (UK)

People with intellectual disabilities and autistic people

Apart from impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on access to health and social care services and the health and wellbeing of people with intellectual disabilities, UK-wide interviews with approximately 500 adults with intellectual disabilities and surveys with approximately 300 family carers and support workers have reported a range of others impacts on people’s lives. In July – August 2021, largely after COVID-19 restrictions were lifted in England, 19% of people with intellectual disabilities with greater support needs across the UK (including people with profound and multiple intellectual disabilities) were reported to be still shielding. Over a quarter of adults with intellectual disabilities reported that someone they knew well had died (or any cause) during the COVID-19 pandemic. In terms of paid employment, most but not all people with intellectual disabilities in paid employment before the pandemic were in paid employment in July/ August 2021, often via furlough or people’s jobs being held open.

No systematic information is available concerning the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on autistic people without intellectual disabilities in England.

Last updated: March 8th, 2022   Contributors: Chris Hatton  |  

Wales (UK)

People with intellectual disabilities and autistic people

Apart from impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on access to health and social care services and the health and wellbeing of people with intellectual disabilities, UK-wide interviews with approximately 500 adults with intellectual disabilities and surveys with approximately 300 family carers and support workers have reported a range of others impacts on people’s lives. In July – August 2021, largely after COVID-19 restrictions were lifted in England, 19% of people with intellectual disabilities with greater support needs across the UK (including people with profound and multiple intellectual disabilities) were reported to be still shielding. Over a quarter of adults with intellectual disabilities reported that someone they knew well had died (or any cause) during the COVID-19 pandemic. In terms of paid employment, most but not all people with intellectual disabilities in paid employment before the pandemic were in paid employment in July/ August 2021, often via furlough or people’s jobs being held open.

No systematic information is available concerning the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on autistic people without intellectual disabilities in England.

Last updated: March 8th, 2022   Contributors: Chris Hatton  |