The unprecedented health crisis linked to the Covid-19 epidemic confronts accommodation establishments for dependent elderly people (Ehpad) with major challenges to protect the health of their residents and their staff.
Dince the start of the Covid-19 health crisis, nursing homes have paid a heavy price: according to Public Health France, nearly half of the deaths attributed to this virus concern residents of these establishments. A dramatic human toll, seniors being particularly vulnerable to the epidemic because of their age, their often multiple co-morbidities or their associated loss of autonomy. Beyond these factors, community life is an element that increases the risk of infection.
Recommendations against the virus
In an attempt to curb the spread of the virus in nursing homes, the Regional Health Agency (ARS) Occitanie has issued a series of recommendations, the implementation decision of which is up to the directors of the establishments concerned. Among these recommendations is the creation of sectors dedicated to positive cases that do not require hospitalization, in order to prevent negative residents from being confined to their rooms. Regarding the visits, their supervision is reinforced and they are possible if no case of Covid-19 has been detected among the residents in the previous 10 days.
In the Eugène Aujaleu nursing home in Nègrepelisse, strongly affected by the epidemic in the spring, these recommendations were followed as explained by Morgan Teillier, mayor of the town. “We have made the choice to ensure the continuity of the visits by setting up a self-administered questionnaire by relatives before each visit, and we take their temperature at the entrance.” For the moment, screening is not on the agenda, but respect for barrier gestures, and in particular the wearing of a mask, is compulsory for all.
Various consequences
In another register, the morale of residents is closely scrutinized and the ARS invites directors to offer them an offer of psychological support by mobilizing in particular the teams of establishments authorized in psychiatry. In the Eugène Aujaleu nursing home, the psychologist continuously present on site has a more sustained activity and measures are taken to support the residents. “The town has funded activities aimed at changing their minds. We recently allocated an envelope of € 3,000 to develop projects with residents”, announces Morgan Tellier. For professionals, ARS Occitanie recommends a collective support offer (discussion groups, supervision).
Finally, the health crisis also has immediate economic consequences for the sector. In addition to the loss of revenue due to a drop in the occupancy rate, there are additional operating expenses (fittings, disinfection of premises, protective equipment, etc.) and additional personnel costs. If the financial aid put in place by the ARS could partly respond to these economic difficulties, the fact remains that the nursing homes see their image tarnished, which could harm their filling. The Covid-19 crisis is definitely global.
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