The impact of the corona crisis in nursing homes is chronically underestimated. The sector was already struggling with occupation problems before the crisis and had to walk on its toes during the first wave, also because it was at the back of the queue with policy-making from the cabinet and OMT. The nurses, carers and specialists in geriatric medicine were unable to catch their breath during the summer and are now faced with an even more severe second wave. This leads to even more mortality and even more staff losses.
Far-reaching consequences
Without an emergency plan, the entire sector will be flooded. This then has far-reaching consequences for the entire chain, including hospitals. Daily practice in the nursing home is extremely intensive. Cohort departments and departments that cohort due to infections require a great deal of effort from increasingly scarce staff. The application of PPE, communication with family, complex ethical decision-making, the daily loss of residents that have become dear to them, and the continuation of basic care for the other anxious residents, makes working in nursing homes in an increasing number of places an impossible task; there is no time for mental guidance.
Further staff dropout
The result is further loss of staff among nurses, carers and specialists in geriatric medicine and ultimately the closure of nursing homes, which is precisely what we do not want. Support from people from other sectors is great, but a drop in the ocean. An underestimated consequence is that overcrowded hospitals and general practitioners can no longer have their vulnerable elderly admitted to the nursing home. The chain clogs up like in South Holland. Loss of staff is not a problem only in the nursing home; it is a chain problem. So harrowing care situations occur everywhere. Both nationally and especially regionally, there is no sense of urgency and direction for an action plan. Regional cooperation is not yet commonplace. Too many care providers struggle alone and cannot find each other sufficiently. Support from the security region is certainly needed. Don’t let us go under.
Amnon Weinberg is Specialist Geriatric Medicine at ZBVO.
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