Personality assessment in nursing home residents with mental and physical multimorbidity: two informant perspectives.

OBJECTIVES: In older patients with mental and physical multimorbidity (MPM), personality assessment is highly complex. Our aim was to examine personality traits in this population using the Hetero-Anamnestic Personality questionnaire (HAP), and to compare the premorbid perspective of patients' relatives (HAP) with the present-time perspective of nursing staff (HAP-t). DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTING: Dutch gerontopsychiatric nursing home (GP-NH) units. PARTICIPANTS: Totally, 142 GP-NH residents with MPM (excluding dementia). MEASUREMENTS: NH norm data of the HAP were used to identify clinically relevant premorbid traits. Linear mixed models estimated the differences between HAP and HAP-t trait scores (0-10). Agreement was quantified by intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). All HAP-HAP-t analyses were corrected for response tendency (RT) scores (-10-10). RESULTS: 78.4% of the patients had at least one premorbid maladaptive trait, and 62.2% had two or more. Most prevalent were: "disorderly" (30.3%), "unpredictable/impulsive" (29.1%) and "vulnerable" (27.3%) behavior. The RT of relatives appeared significantly more positive than that of nursing staff (+1.8, 95% CI 0.6-2.9, p = 0.002). After RT correction, the traits "vulnerable", "perfectionist" and "unpredictable/impulsive" behavior scored higher on the HAP than HAP-t (respectively +1.2, 95% CI 0.6-1.7, p < 0.001; +2.1, 95% CI 1.3-2.8, p < 0.001; +0.6, 95% CI 0.1-1.1, p = 0.013), while "rigid" behavior scored lower (-0.7, 95% CI -1.3 to -0.03, p = 0.042). Adjusted ICCs ranged from 0.15 to 0.58. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows high percentages of premorbid maladaptive personality traits, which calls for attention on personality assessment in MPM NH residents. Results also indicate that the HAP and HAP-t questionnaires should not be used interchangeably for this patient group in clinical practice.

A longitudinal cohort study on the use of health and care services by older adults living at home with/without dementia before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: the HUNT study.

BACKGROUND: Older adults and people with dementia were anticipated to be particularly unable to use health and care services during the lockdown period following the COVID-19 pandemic. To better prepare for future pandemics, we aimed to investigate whether the use of health and care services changed during the pandemic and whether those at older ages and/or dementia experienced a higher degree of change than that observed by their counterparts. METHODS: Data from the Norwegian Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT4 70 + , 2017-2019) were linked to two national health registries that have individual-level data on the use of primary and specialist health and care services. A multilevel mixed-effects linear regression model was used to calculate changes in the use of services from 18 months before the lockdown, (12 March 2020) to 18 months after the lockdown. RESULTS: The study sample included 10,607 participants, 54% were women and 11% had dementia. The mean age was 76 years (SD: 5.7, range: 68-102 years). A decrease in primary health and care service use, except for contact with general practitioners (GPs), was observed during the lockdown period for people with dementia (p < 0.001) and those aged ≥ 80 years without dementia (p = 0.006), compared to the 6-month period before the lockdown. The use of specialist health services decreased during the lockdown period for all groups (p ≤ 0.011), except for those aged < 80 years with dementia. Service use reached levels comparable to pre-pandemic data within one year after the lockdown. CONCLUSION: Older adults experienced an immediate reduction in the use of health and care services, other than GP contacts, during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Within primary care services, people with dementia demonstrated a more pronounced reduction than that observed in people without dementia; otherwise, the variations related to age and dementia status were small. Both groups returned to services levels similar to those during the pre-pandemic period within one year after the lockdown. The increase in GP contacts may indicate a need to reallocate resources to primary health services during future pandemics. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, with the identification number NCT04792086.

A Process Evaluation of an Antibiotic Stewardship Intervention for Urinary Tract Infections in Nursing Homes.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the internal and external validity of a cluster randomized controlled trial (cRCT) evaluating a decision tool with supportive interventions for the empirical treatment of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in nursing homes (NHs), and to identify facilitators and barriers in implementing this antibiotic stewardship intervention. DESIGN: Mixed-methods process evaluation study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Physicians, nursing staff, client council members, and residents of Dutch NHs. METHODS: We used cRCT data of the ANNA study (Antibiotic Prescribing and Non-prescribing in Nursing Home Residents With Signs and Symptoms Ascribed to Urinary Tract Infection). In addition, we sent out an online evaluation questionnaire, conducted semistructured interviews with physicians and nursing staff, and consulted client council members. RESULTS: Internal validity was lowered: control group physicians participated in several non-study-related activities regarding UTI. External validity was good: almost all intervention components had a high fidelity (52%-74%) and were perceived as relevant (physicians: 7.2-8.6 of 10, nursing staff: 6.5-8.5 of 10) and feasible (physicians: 7.5 of 10, nursing staff 6.4 of 10), with feasibility for residents with dementia and urine incontinence needing attention. The most common reason for deviating from the advice generated by the decision tool was an unclear illness presentation. Identified facilitators to implementation were confidence in the intervention, repeated intervention encounter, and having "champions" in the NH. Barriers were limited involvement of nursing staff, unstable nursing teams, residents' and representatives' belief that antibiotics should be prescribed, and a low antibiotic prescribing threshold within the NH culture. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Lowered internal validity may have reduced the study effect. Attention should be paid to the feasibility of the intervention in residents with dementia and urinary incontinence. Improvement opportunities for implementation were higher nursing staff involvement and repeated intervention offering.

Reduction and prevention of agitation in persons with neurocognitive disorders: an international psychogeriatric association consensus algorithm.

OBJECTIVES: To develop an agitation reduction and prevention algorithm is intended to guide implementation of the definition of agitation developed by the International Psychogeriatric Association (IPA). DESIGN: Review of literature on treatment guidelines and recommended algorithms; algorithm development through reiterative integration of research information and expert opinion. SETTING: IPA Agitation Workgroup. PARTICIPANTS: IPA panel of international experts on agitation. INTERVENTION: Integration of available information into a comprehensive algorithm. MEASUREMENTS: None. RESULTS: The IPA Agitation Work Group recommends the Investigate, Plan, and Act (IPA) approach to agitation reduction and prevention. A thorough investigation of the behavior is followed by planning and acting with an emphasis on shared decision-making; the success of the plan is evaluated and adjusted as needed. The process is repeated until agitation is reduced to an acceptable level and prevention of recurrence is optimized. Psychosocial interventions are part of every plan and are continued throughout the process. Pharmacologic interventions are organized into panels of choices for nocturnal/circadian agitation; mild-moderate agitation or agitation with prominent mood features; moderate-severe agitation; and severe agitation with threatened harm to the patient or others. Therapeutic alternatives are presented for each panel. The occurrence of agitation in a variety of venues-home, nursing home, emergency department, hospice-and adjustments to the therapeutic approach are presented. CONCLUSIONS: The IPA definition of agitation is operationalized into an agitation management algorithm that emphasizes the integration of psychosocial and pharmacologic interventions, reiterative assessment of response to treatment, adjustment of therapeutic approaches to reflect the clinical situation, and shared decision-making.

Agitation in cognitive disorders: Progress in the International Psychogeriatric Association consensus clinical and research definition.

BACKGROUND: The International Psychogeriatric Association (IPA) published a provisional consensus definition of agitation in cognitive disorders in 2015. As proposed by the original work group, we summarize the use and validation of criteria in order to remove "provisional" from the definition. METHODS: This report summarizes information from the academic literature, research resources, clinical guidelines, expert surveys, and patient and family advocates on the experience of use of the IPA definition. The information was reviewed by a working group of topic experts to create a finalized definition. RESULTS: We present a final definition which closely resembles the provisional definition with modifications to address special circumstances. We also summarize the development of tools for diagnosis and assessment of agitation and propose strategies for dissemination and integration into precision diagnosis and agitation interventions. CONCLUSION: The IPA definition of agitation captures a common and important entity that is recognized by many stakeholders. Dissemination of the definition will permit broader detection and can advance research and best practices for care of patients with agitation.

Evaluation of the SPAN intervention for people living with young-onset dementia in the community and their family caregivers: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of the SPAN-intervention, a psychosocial intervention aiming at improving a sense of usefulness and engaging in meaningful activities, for community-dwelling people living with young-onset dementia (YOD) and their family caregivers. METHODS: A cluster-randomized controlled trial with two parallel groups (SPAN-intervention vs. care as usual) with assessments at baseline and five-month follow-up was performed. Sixty-one persons living with YOD and their family caregivers were included (SPAN-intervention group: n = 35; care as usual group: n = 26). Outcomes included, for the person living with YOD, empowerment (operationalized by self-management abilities using the SMAS-30; primary outcome), quality of life, neuropsychiatric symptoms, disability, apathy; and, for the family caregiver, quality of life, emotional distress, sense of competence. Data were analyzed using linear mixed models. RESULTS: We found no statistically significant effects of the SPAN-intervention on empowerment, nor on the secondary outcome measures for persons living with YOD or their family caregivers. CONCLUSION: Although the SPAN-intervention may provide concrete opportunities to engage in activities and stimulate reciprocity, such as meaningful social activities, this study did not demonstrate intervention effects. Additional qualitative evaluations may provide more insight into the implementation process and experiences of people living with YOD and their family caregivers.This trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02937883).

The development and feasibility evaluation of a program to identify and manage apathy in people with dementia: the SABA program.

OBJECTIVES: To develop and evaluate feasibility of a program for family and professional caregivers to identify and manage apathy in people with dementia: the Shared Action for Breaking through Apathy program (SABA). METHODS: A theory- and practice-based intervention was developed and tested among ten persons with apathy and dementia in two Dutch nursing homes from 2019 to 2021. Feasibility was evaluated with interviews with family caregivers (n = 7) and professional caregivers (n = 4) and two multidisciplinary focus groups with professional caregivers (n = 5 and n = 6). RESULTS: SABA was found feasible for identifying and managing apathy. Caregivers mentioned increased knowledge and awareness regarding recognizing apathy and its impact on their relationship with the person with apathy. They experienced increased skills to manage apathy, a greater focus on small-scale activities and increased appreciation of small moments of success. The content, form and accessibility of the program's materials were considered facilitating by all stakeholders, as was the compatibility of the procedures with the usual way of working. The expertise and involvement of stakeholders, staff stability and the support of an ambassador and/or manager were facilitating, while insufficient collaboration was a barrier. Organizational and external aspects like not prioritizing apathy, staff discontinuity, and the Covid-19 pandemic were perceived as barriers. A stimulating physical environment with small-scale living rooms, and access to supplies for activities were considered facilitating. CONCLUSIONS: SABA empowers family and professional caregivers to successfully identify and manage apathy. For implementation, it is important to take into account the facilitators and barriers resulting from our study.

Identifying and managing apathy in people with dementia living in nursing homes: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Although apathy is common in people with dementia and has profound negative effects, it is rarely diagnosed nor specifically treated in nursing homes. The aim of this study is to explore experiences in identifying and managing apathy from the perspectives of people with dementia and apathy (PwA), family caregivers (FCs) and professional caregivers (PCs). METHODS: Descriptive qualitative study with purposive sampling, comprising eleven semi-structured in-depth interviews with PwA, FCs or PCs and focus groups with twelve PCs in Dutch nursing homes. Seventeen additional in-depth interviews with caregivers were held, after signals of increasing apathy during the first Covid-19 lockdown. Using an inductive approach, data was analysed thematically to explore the experiences in identifying and managing apathy from the perspective of different stakeholders. RESULTS: Three themes were identified: 1) the challenge to appraise signals, 2) the perceived impact on well-being, 3) applied strategies to manage apathy. Although participants described apathy in line with diagnostic criteria, they were unfamiliar with the term apathy and had difficulties in appraising signals of apathy. Also, the perceived impact of apathy varied per stakeholder. PwA had difficulties reflecting on their internal state. FCs and PCs experienced apathy as challenging when it reduced the well-being of PwA or when they themselves experienced ambiguity, frustration, insecurity, disappointment or turning away. Dealing with apathy required applying specific strategies that included stimulating meaningful contact, adjusting one's expectations, and appreciating little successes. CONCLUSIONS: When addressing apathy in nursing homes, it is important to consider that a) all stakeholders experience that appraising signals of apathy is challenging; b) apathy negatively influences the well-being of people with dementia and especially their FCs and PCs; and c) FCs and PCs can successfully, albeit temporarily, manage apathy by using specific strategies.

Transferring people with dementia to severe challenging behavior specialized units, an in-depth exploration.

OBJECTIVES: One of the main reasons for people with dementia to move to a dementia special care unit of a nursing home is challenging behavior. This behavior is often difficult to manage, and in the Netherlands, residents are sometimes relocated to a severe challenging behavior specialized unit. However, relocation often comes with trauma and should be prevented if possible. This study aimed to investigate the patient- and context-related reasons for these relocations. METHODS: Qualitative multiple case study using individual (n = 15) and focus group interviews (n = 4 with n = 20 participants) were held with elderly care physicians, physician assistants, psychologists, nursing staff members, and relatives involved with people with dementia and severe challenging behavior who had been transferred to a severe challenging behavior specialized unit. Audio recordings were transcribed and analyzed with thematic analysis, including directed content analysis. RESULTS: After five cases, data-saturation occurred. The thematic analysis identified three main processes: increasing severity of challenging behavior, increasing realization that the clients' needs cannot be met, and an increasing burden of nursing staff. The interaction between these processes, triggered mainly by a life-threatening situation, led to nursing staff reaching their limits, resulting in relocation of the client. CONCLUSION: Our study resulted in a conceptual framework providing insight into reasons for relocation in cases of severe challenging behavior. To prevent relocation, the increasing severity of challenging behavior, increasing burden on nursing staff, and increasing realization that the clients' needs cannot be met need attention.

After COVID-19 vaccinations: what does living and working in nursing homes look like?

BACKGROUND: Nursing homes were disproportionally affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Vaccination was considered critical for the normalization of daily live of nursing home residents. The present study investigates the impact of the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic and the effect of vaccinations on the daily lives of residents and staff in Dutch nursing homes. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: The sample consisted of 78 nursing homes that participated in the Dutch national pilot on nursing home visits after the COVID-19 pandemic. One contact person per nursing home was approached for participation in this mixed-methods cross-sectional study. METHODS: Data was collected twice through questionnaires in April and December 2021. Quantitative questions focused on recent COVID-19 outbreaks, progress of vaccination, effects of vaccination on daily living in the nursing home and burden experienced by staff. Open-ended questions addressed the prolonged effect of the pandemic on residents, family members and staff. RESULTS: The overall vaccination rate of residents across nursing homes appeared to be high among both residents and staff. However, daily living in the nursing home had not returned to normal concerning personal interactions, visits, the use of facilities and work pressure. Nursing homes continued to report a negative impact of the pandemic on residents, family members and staff. CONCLUSIONS: Restrictions to the daily lives of residents in nursing homes were stricter than restrictions imposed on society as a whole. Returning to a normal daily living and working was found to be complex for nursing homes. With the emergence of new variants of the virus, policies strongly focusing on risk aversion were predominantly present in nursing homes.

Supporting Resilience of Older Adults with Cognitive Decline Requires a Multi-Level System Approach.

The concept of resilience, i.e., the capacity of a system to bounce back after a stressor, is gaining interest across many fields of science, policy, and practice. To date, resilience research in people with cognitive decline has predominantly addressed the early stages of decline. We propose that: (1) resilience is a relevant concept in all stages of cognitive decline; and (2) a socio-ecological, multisystem perspective on resilience is required to advance understanding of, and care and support for people with cognitive decline and their support networks. We substantiate our position with literature and examples. Resilience helps understand differences in response to risk factors of (further) cognitive decline and informs personalised prevention. In a curative context, interventions to strengthen resilience aim to boost recovery from cognitive decline. In care for people with dementia, resilience-focused interventions can strengthen coping mechanisms to maintain functioning and well-being of the individual and their support network. A good example of improving resilience in the social and policy context is the introduction of age-friendly cities and dementia-friendly communities. Good care for people with cognitive decline requires a health and social care system that can adapt to changes in demand. Given the interdependency of resilience at micro-, meso- and macro-levels, an integrative socio-ecological perspective is required. Applying the concept of resilience in the field of cognitive decline opens new horizons for research to improve understanding, predicting, intervening on health and social care needs for the increasing population with cognitive decline.

Well-being, multidisciplinary work and a skillful team: essential elements of successful treatment in severe challenging behavior in dementia.

OBJECTIVE: Conceptualize successful treatment of persons with dementia and severe challenging behavior as perceived by professionals. METHODS: In this concept mapping study 82 experts in dementia care participated. The study followed two phases of data collection: (1) an online brainstorm where participants completed the focus prompt: 'I consider the treatment of people with severe challenging behavior in dementia successful if.'; (2) individual sorting and rating of the collected statements followed by data analysis using multidimensional scaling and hierarchical cluster analysis, resulting in a concept map. RESULTS: Three clusters were identified, the first addressing treatment outcomes and the latter two addressing treatment processes, each divided into sub-clusters: (1) well-being, comprising well-being of the person with dementia and all people directly involved; (2) multidisciplinary analysis and treatment, comprising multidisciplinary analysis, process conditions, reduction in psychotropic drugs, and person-centered treatment; and (3) attitudes and skills of those involved, comprising consistent approach by the team, understanding behavior, knowing how to respond to behavior, and open attitudes. CONCLUSIONS: Successful treatment in people with dementia and severe challenging behavior focuses on well-being of all people involved wherein attention to treatment processes including process conditions is essential to achieve this.

Supporting autonomy for people with dementia living in nursing homes: A rapid realist review.

BACKGROUND: For people with dementia living in nursing homes, autonomy is important. However, they experience difficulty with being heard as an autonomous person, as well as with expressing their preferences and choices. The question is how to support their autonomy. OBJECTIVE: Despite extensive efforts to support autonomy in daily care for people with dementia living in nursing homes, we do not know exactly what works for whom, in which context, how and why. The objective of this realist review is to explore what is known in literature on autonomy support interventions for people with dementia in nursing homes. DESIGN: A rapid realist review of literature. REVIEW METHODS: To understand how autonomy is supported, a realist approach was applied that entailed identifying the research question, searching for information, performing a quality appraisal, extracting data, synthesizing the evidence and validating the findings with a panel of experts. Causal assumptions were derived from articles found in four bibliographic databases (PubMed, PsychInfo, Cochrane and CINAHL) leading to context (C)-mechanism (M)-outcome (O) configurations. RESULTS: Data extraction from the included articles ultimately resulted in sixteen CMO configurations on four themes: a. preferences and choice: interventions for supporting autonomy in nursing homes and their results, b. personal characteristics of residents and family: people with dementia and their family being individuals who have their own character, habits and behaviors, c. competent nursing staff each having their own level of knowledge, competence and need for support, and d. interaction and relationships in care situations: the persons involved are interrelated, continuously interacting in different triangles composed of residents, family members and nursing staff. CONCLUSION: The findings showed that results from interventions on autonomy in daily-care situations are likely to be just as related not only with the characteristics and competences of the people involved, but also to how they interact. Autonomy support interventions appear to be successful when the right context factors are considered.

Well-being in long-term care: an ode to vulnerability.

In health care, well-being is considered to be composed of multiple interacting dimensions and to regard the subjective (affective and cognitive) evaluation of these dimensions. These dimensions are often referred to as physical, psychological, and social domains of life. Although there are various disease-specific and group-specific conceptual approaches, starting from a universal perspective provides a more inclusive approach to well-being. Indeed, universal approaches to well-being have striking overlaps with dementia-specific approaches. Although many initiatives have been launched to promote person-centered care and attention for well-being in recent decades, the current COVID pandemic showed that the primary focus in (Dutch) long-term care was still on physical health. However, a well-being perspective can be a central base of care: it is a means to include positive aspects, and it can be applied when addressing problems such as challenging behavior in the sense that both are about needs. Furthermore, providing care from this perspective is not only about the well-being of frail people and their loved ones but also about the well-being and needs of the involved professionals. Increasingly, research shows the importance of the quality of the resident-carer relationship, the carer's behavior, and their well-being for improving the well-being of residents. Applying the care approaches 'attentiveness in care' and relationship-centered care can contribute to the well-being of all involved stakeholders as these uphold the reciprocity of care relationships and take the values and attitudes, but also the vulnerability of those involved, into account.

"Because if I don't hold his hand then I might as well not be there": Experiences of Dutch and UK care home visiting during the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVES: To explore and compare the experiences of care home visits during the pandemic in the UK and the Netherlands. DESIGN: Qualitative semi-structured interview studies. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Family carers of relatives residing in care homes in the UK and the Netherlands were interviewed remotely. METHODS: Family carers were asked about their experiences of care home visits during the pandemic, and specifically in the Netherlands after care homes had reopened. Transcripts were analyzed in each country separately in the native language using thematic analysis, before discussing findings at multiple analysis meetings. RESULTS: Across 125 interviews, we developed four themes: (1) different types of contact during lockdown; (2) deterioration of resident health and well-being; (3) emotional distress of both visitors and residents; and (4) compliance to guidelines and regulations. Visiting in both the UK and the Netherlands was beneficial, if possible in the UK, yet was characterized by alternative forms of face-to-face visits which was emotionally distressing for many family carers and residents. In the Netherlands, government guidance did enable early care home visitation, while the UK was lacking any guidance leading to care homes implementing restrictions differently. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Early and clear guidance, as well as communication, is required in future pandemics, and in this ongoing pandemic, to enable care home visits between residents and loved ones. It is important to take learnings from this global pandemic to reimagine long-term care, highlighting the value of socializing for care home residents.

Informal antidepressant strategies for nursing home residents: two group concept mapping studies.

OBJECTIVES: To identify and structure potential informal antidepressant strategies that can be used in daily practice for nursing home residents alongside formal treatments. METHODS: In a first Group Concept Mapping study, residents, relatives, and professional caregivers (N = 124) brainstormed on strategies residents could use to prevent or alleviate depression. In a second study, the same participants (N = 110) reported strategies for use by others. Furthermore, participants rated the expected effectiveness and feasibility of the suggested strategies. Simultaneously, all strategies were sorted by experts and clustered using multidimensional scaling and hierarchical cluster analysis. RESULTS: Six clusters emerged for strategies by residents themselves and five clusters for strategies by others. For residents' strategies, the clusters Being socially connected and Participating in activities were perceived as most effective, as was the cluster Offering personal attention for strategies by others. Participants perceived Creating a healthy living environment as the most feasible cluster executed by residents. Within strategies by others, the clusters Offering personal attention, Using positive treatment/approach, and Using or adapting the physical environment were perceived as the most feasible. CONCLUSION: The results indicated the importance of social connectedness, a personalized and positive approach by significant others, and tailored activity programs. The results also suggest that adaptations to the physical environment within nursing homes may be an easy applicable strategy to prevent or alleviate depression in residents. Although more research is needed, these findings may guide daily practice and the development of interventions that include informal strategies.Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2022.2057427 .

[Consequences of the COVID-19 measures for wellbeing aspects of long-term care residents]. / De gevolgen van de COVID-19 maatregelen voor het welbevinden van bewoners van instellingen voor langdurige zorg.

To examine the impact of COVID-19 measures on residents of long-term care institutions, two surveys were conducted in the spring of 2020. Leontjevas et al. (study 1) inventoried practitioners' opinions, Van der Roest et al. (study 2) opinions of care workers, family, and residents without severe cognitive impairments. This article describes the combined results on social interaction and loneliness, challenging behaviour and mood, and lessons learned. In study 1, an online survey distributed to nursing home psychologists, they were asked to complete it anonymously and share the link with their fellow elderly care physicians and nurse specialists. 16 participants were then interviewed via video calling. In study 2, three hundred and fifty-seven care organizations were invited to recruit residents without severe cognitive impairments, family members and care workers for participating in a digital, anonymous survey (Study 2). The completed surveys of 323 practitioners (study 1) and 193 residents, 1609 family members and 811 employees (study 2) were included in the analyses. Social contacts of residents had changed in frequency and form compared to before the COVID-measures. Many residents experienced some loneliness during the visit ban, especially residents without cognitive impairments. There were both an increase and a decrease in challenging behaviour and affect. Several strategies used to reduce the effects of COVID-19 measures on well-being, were considered maintainable. Our studies confirmed a major impact of the COVID-19 measures on the wellbeing of long-term care residents, but also showed successful strategies of practitioners that can benefit future practice.

[Remote work and the use of online communication in nursing homes during COVID-19-measures]. / Werken op afstand en gebruik van onlinecommunicatie in verpleeghuizen tijdens COVID-19-maatregelen.

The measures taken in Dutch nursing homes during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in both an increase and a decrease of challenging behavior in nursing home residents. Staff undertook various initiatives to reduce the negative effects. For example, video calling between residents and their relatives was facilitated. In addition, initiatives in digital care (telehealth) were deployed. The aim of this study was to explore nursing home practitioners' experiences with online communication between residents and relatives, working remotely in general and the remote treatment of challenging behavior in particular. One hundred and seventy-five nursing home professionals (psychologists, elderly care specialists, nursing specialists, daytime activities coordinators) completed an online questionnaire at the end of 2020/start of 2021. Open and closed questions showed that face-to-face contacts are preferred over online communication. Online communication was mainly seen as a (meaningful) addition. Although professionals wanted to continue some of their work remotely, and found this efficient and workload-reducing, they felt that this could impair their job satisfaction and the quality of care. For remote work and remote treatment, each task needs to be evaluated on whether it can be performed properly and whether that results in good care. More research into online communication, remote working and digital care in nursing homes is needed.