eprintid: 10134007
rev_number: 19
eprint_status: archive
userid: 608
dir: disk0/10/13/40/07
datestamp: 2021-09-09 08:55:19
lastmod: 2022-07-29 15:42:16
status_changed: 2021-09-09 08:55:19
type: article
metadata_visibility: show
creators_name: Bhome, R
creators_name: Huntley, J
creators_name: Dalton-Locke, C
creators_name: San Juan, NV
creators_name: Oram, S
creators_name: Foye, U
creators_name: Livingston, G
title: Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on older adults mental health services: A mixed methods study
ispublished: pub
divisions: UCL
divisions: B02
divisions: C07
divisions: D79
divisions: D07
divisions: F86
keywords: COVID-19, dementia care, mental health services, mental health staff, older adults, mental health, pandemic
note: This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher's terms and conditions.
abstract: Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on older adults mental health care. Our study aimed to explore staff perspectives on key challenges and innovations in order to help inform the delivery of older adults mental health care in subsequent waves of the pandemic. //

Methods: A mixed methods online questionnaire developed by National Institute for Health Research Mental Health Policy Research Unit was used to gather staff perspectives on their challenges at work, problems faced by service users and their carers, and sources of help and support. Descriptive statistics were used for quantitative analysis and descriptive content analysis for qualitative analysis. //

Results: 158 participants, working in either community or inpatient settings, and from a range of professional disciplines, were included. For inpatient staff, a significant challenge was infection control. In the community, staff identified a lack of access to physical and social care as well as reduced contact with friends and families as being challenges for patients. Remote working was seen as a positive innovation along with COVID-19 related guidance from various sources and peer support. //

Conclusion: Our study, with a focus on staff and patient well-being, helps to inform service development for future waves of the pandemic. We discuss measures to improve infection control in inpatient settings, the role of voluntary organisations in supporting socially isolated community patients, the need for better integration of physical and mental health services at an organisational level, and the importance of training staff to support patients and their families with end of life planning.
date: 2021-11
date_type: published
publisher: WILEY
official_url: https://doi.org/10.1002/gps.5596
oa_status: green
full_text_type: other
language: eng
primo: open
primo_central: open_green
verified: verified_manual
elements_id: 1876276
doi: 10.1002/gps.5596
lyricists_name: Bhome, Rohan
lyricists_name: Dalton-Locke, Christian
lyricists_name: Huntley, Jonathan
lyricists_name: Livingston, Gillian
lyricists_id: RBHOM78
lyricists_id: CTDAL99
lyricists_id: JHUNT57
lyricists_id: GALIV58
actors_name: Dalton-Locke, Christian
actors_id: CTDAL99
actors_role: owner
full_text_status: public
publication: International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry
volume: 36
number: 11
pagerange: 1748-1758
pages: 11
issn: 1099-1166
citation:        Bhome, R;    Huntley, J;    Dalton-Locke, C;    San Juan, NV;    Oram, S;    Foye, U;    Livingston, G;      (2021)    Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on older adults mental health services: A mixed methods study.                   International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry , 36  (11)   pp. 1748-1758.    10.1002/gps.5596 <https://doi.org/10.1002/gps.5596>.       Green open access   
 
document_url: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10134007/1/Impact%20of%20the%20COVID-19%20pandemic%20on%20Older%20Adults%20Mental%20Health%20Services%20a%20mixed%20methods%20study_IJGP_Upload.pdf