Impacts of COVID-19 on Health and Healthcare for Rural Veterans in Home-Based Primary Care.
J Appl Gerontol
; 43(1): 47-58, 2024 01.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-37801727
ABSTRACT
This qualitative study explored the impact of COVID-19 on older rural-dwelling veterans and their caregivers enrolled in home-based primary care (HBPC) through the Birmingham VA Health Care System (BVAHCS). Phone interviews were conducted with 16 veterans and/or their caregivers and rapid qualitative analysis of interview notes was performed. Average age of veterans was 77 (range = 69-97) and 93.7% were white males. Despite a significant number of co-morbidities, 68.8% reported minimal adverse impacts of COVID-19 on overall physical and mental health. Like many healthcare teams, the inter-disciplinary VA HBPC team incorporated Telehealth during COVID-19. Telehealth utilization varied among the 16 participants, with 50% using telehealth independently, 37.5% needing assistance, and 12% lacking access. Our findings are consistent with prior research that identifies resilient characteristics as potentially protective in this high-risk older veteran population during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Veteranos
/
COVID-19
Tipo de estudio:
Prognostic_studies
/
Qualitative_research
Límite:
Humans
/
Male
País/Región como asunto:
America do norte
Idioma:
En
Revista:
J Appl Gerontol
/
J. appl. gerontol
/
Journal of applied gerontology
Año:
2024
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Estados Unidos