This report summarises the evidence from the multiple strands of the Covid Realities research programme, which documented the everyday experiences of families with children living on a low income during the pandemic across the UK. Evidence from across the 14 projects that Covid Realities convened showed the impact of the pandemic on low-income families. With a combined cohort of over 4,000...
(Edited publisher abstract)
This report summarises the evidence from the multiple strands of the Covid Realities research programme, which documented the everyday experiences of families with children living on a low income during the pandemic across the UK. Evidence from across the 14 projects that Covid Realities convened showed the impact of the pandemic on low-income families. With a combined cohort of over 4,000 parents and carers, the evidence base showed how families navigated the ongoing challenges and uncertainty around income and expenditure as a result of the pandemic. The projects explore how families living on a low income were supported (or not) by the social security system. The pandemic has highlighted how inequalities of race, social class, disability and gender can interact and cause worse inequalities overall, particularly for those on a low income. Minoritised ethnic populations are at particular risk from the health effects of Covid-19, but also from income shocks, increased precarity and poverty. There was strong evidence of gendered inequalities made worse by the pandemic. Women were often juggling multiple and complex roles, particularly in relation to home-schooling. Women were also more likely to manage household finances, alongside caring for children and paid work. The collated evidence shows that the pandemic had significant mental health effects. People with fewer financial resources at the onset of the pandemic experienced the largest increases in mental ill health during earlier lockdowns. The evidence base from across the 14 projects shows the urgent need to learn from the pandemic, and for government action on social security and mental health in particular, including doing much more to first acknowledge and then act on the relationship between poverty and mental ill health.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
Covid-19, low income, inequalities, poverty, mental health problems;
...that carer’s mental health has declined since visiting restrictions came in: 74% agree or strongly agree that they are preoccupied by thoughts of their relative’s wellbeing – 32% and 42% respectively; 66% were ‘more stressed’ since COVID-19 visiting restrictions were introduced (30% said ‘about the same’); 63% were losing sleep over worry ‘rather more’ or ‘much more’ – 36% and 27% respectively; and 58% were
(Edited publisher abstract)
This report explores the extent to which families of care home residents are experiencing significant mental distress as a result of visiting restrictions. This rapid six-month study took place between May and October 2020 using mixed methods study design: an online survey – completed by 444 family carers; 36 in-depth interviews with family carers of older care home residents; 19 semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders; and Five café style interviews – involving groups of staff from four care homes. Lockdown or social distancing has affected the mental health of many citizens. However, the mental health scores for family carers with relatives in care homes are significantly poorer than those of the general public: 76% of family carers in our survey had a GHQ score of 12 points or more – with 12 marking the threshold for ‘clinical mental distress’; family carers had an average GHQ score of 18.16 (in contrast to GHQ scores of 12.7 for the general public during the pandemic) – the GHQ scale runs from 0-36. We also know from our survey, that women scored significantly higher than men, and partners of relatives in care homes more highly than children of relatives. The survey also reveals that carer’s mental health has declined since visiting restrictions came in: 74% agree or strongly agree that they are preoccupied by thoughts of their relative’s wellbeing – 32% and 42% respectively; 66% were ‘more stressed’ since COVID-19 visiting restrictions were introduced (30% said ‘about the same’); 63% were losing sleep over worry ‘rather more’ or ‘much more’ – 36% and 27% respectively; and 58% were ‘rather more’ or ‘much more’ unhappy and depressed than usual – 21% and 37% respectively.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
families, carers, mental health, social isolation, Covid-19, care homes;
Drawing on the contributions of over 50,000 citizens, this report sets out how the United Kingdom should change in the light of the Covid-19 pandemic. The report contains a number of sections, reporting on the consultations and research we have conducted, and drawing them together to form conclusions. There are three main parts: 1. Findings – This section reports on the conclusions of our...
(Edited publisher abstract)
Drawing on the contributions of over 50,000 citizens, this report sets out how the United Kingdom should change in the light of the Covid-19 pandemic. The report contains a number of sections, reporting on the consultations and research we have conducted, and drawing them together to form conclusions. There are three main parts: 1. Findings – This section reports on the conclusions of our consultations and research on the seven topics identified by the public as priority areas for change: low paid and key workers, our approach to trade and resilience, the future of home working, online life and misinformation, communities and volunteering, access to green space, and inequality. 2. Lessons from Covid-19 – this section takes the findings and identifies five cross-cutting lessons from our experience over the last year: there’s consensus for change, don’t pretend this didn’t happen; level up people, not just places; community makes us stronger, not just happier; remote working and online shopping are here to stay, we have to adapt; we need to redesign the places where we live and work. 3. Build Back Stronger – this section shows how pursuing the policy recommendations identified in this process will help build up national resilience. It makes the case that the narrative of Build Back Stronger has the best potential to unite the country behind a post-Covid renewal plan. The report concludes with a short section drawing together all the policy recommendations included in the paper as a whole.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
Covid-19, conditions of employment, inequalities, community development, resilience, digital technology, place-based approach;
This report provides a summary of the work conducted by the Nursing Homes Expert Panel, looking at the effectiveness and appropriateness of both national and international protective public health and other measures adopted to safeguard residents in nursing homes, in light of COVID-19. The evidence-informed and consultative approach taken by the Panel is described in Chapter 2. Chapter 3 presents
(Edited publisher abstract)
This report provides a summary of the work conducted by the Nursing Homes Expert Panel, looking at the effectiveness and appropriateness of both national and international protective public health and other measures adopted to safeguard residents in nursing homes, in light of COVID-19. The evidence-informed and consultative approach taken by the Panel is described in Chapter 2. Chapter 3 presents an overview of relevant epidemiological information and data. Chapter 4 presents a summary and the results of a systematic evidence review completed under the direction of the Panel. Chapter 5 gives an overview of the results of a three-part consultation process conducted by the Expert Panel. Chapter 6 sets out the views and considerations of the Panel in respect of healthcare policy for older persons, and finally, Chapter 7 sets out the in-depth discussion on learning and the recommendations of the Panel. These address a number of thematic areas, including: public health measures; infection prevention and control; outbreak management; future admissions to nursing homes; nursing home management; . data analysis; community support teams; clinical – general practitioner lead roles on community support teams and in nursing homes; nursing home staffing/workforce; education-discipline-specific and inter-disciplinary; palliative care; visitors to nursing homes; and communication.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
Covid-19, infection control, nursing homes, older people, government policy;
Findings from the Labour Party-led COVID-19 BAME Evidence Gathering Taskforce, which was established to gather the evidence on the impact of Covid-19 on black and minority ethnic communities in the West Midlands. The report indicates that men and women in the black community have been over four times more likely to die from Covid-19 than white people (4.2 and 4.3 times respectively). Men...
(Edited publisher abstract)
Findings from the Labour Party-led COVID-19 BAME Evidence Gathering Taskforce, which was established to gather the evidence on the impact of Covid-19 on black and minority ethnic communities in the West Midlands. The report indicates that men and women in the black community have been over four times more likely to die from Covid-19 than white people (4.2 and 4.3 times respectively). Men of Bangladeshi and Pakistani origin were 3.6 times more likely to have a Covid-19 related death, while the figure for women was 3.4 times more likely. Key findings include: fear of inequitable treatment that might be received in the NHS was a deterrent for many in the BAME asking for help quickly enough; the BAME community experienced an NHS and care system that was overwhelmed, despite the heroism of our frontline NHS workers, many of whom were themselves from the BAME community; public health messages about symptoms or what to do when in need were poorly communicated to BAME communities; the voice of the BAME community has not been heard in the way the health services are designed and delivered; many BAME frontline workers had direct experience of inadequate provision of PPE with some having to make protective equipment themselves; a clear strategy for understanding the scientific evidence for the disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on the BAME community has not been communicated effectively. The report makes a number of recommendations and calls on the Government to commence a formal judge-led independent public inquiry into the Covid-19 fatalities in the BAME community and to consult with BAME communities on both the Chair and the Terms of Reference.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
black and minority ethnic people, Covid-19, infection control, health inequalities, death;
This briefing explores the impact of the pandemic on subjective wellbeing, focusing on gender, age, ethnicity, and socio-economic status. Subjective wellbeing is affected by some of the more tangible direct impacts of the pandemic, such as income or employment losses, and illness, but also some of the more intangible social and psychological impacts such as loneliness, anxiety and loss of sense of purpose. The paper finds that several groups have suffered ‘more than average’ from the pandemic including: women; older people (at the start); younger people (later on); some ethnic minorities; those with higher education; and renters. For those groups who were already disadvantaged (e.g. ethnic minorities and renters) and where therefore these impacts imply growing inequalities, the data argues in favour of doubling-down on providing targeted support. In other cases, for example for young people and those with higher education, the implications are more subtle. It would be valuable to better understand why wellbeing has fallen more for some groups than others and where the pandemic has introduced new vulnerabilities.
(Edited publisher abstract)
This briefing explores the impact of the pandemic on subjective wellbeing, focusing on gender, age, ethnicity, and socio-economic status. Subjective wellbeing is affected by some of the more tangible direct impacts of the pandemic, such as income or employment losses, and illness, but also some of the more intangible social and psychological impacts such as loneliness, anxiety and loss of sense of purpose. The paper finds that several groups have suffered ‘more than average’ from the pandemic including: women; older people (at the start); younger people (later on); some ethnic minorities; those with higher education; and renters. For those groups who were already disadvantaged (e.g. ethnic minorities and renters) and where therefore these impacts imply growing inequalities, the data argues in favour of doubling-down on providing targeted support. In other cases, for example for young people and those with higher education, the implications are more subtle. It would be valuable to better understand why wellbeing has fallen more for some groups than others and where the pandemic has introduced new vulnerabilities.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
Covid-19, wellbeing, gender, older people, young people, ethnicity;
The care and support of older people residing in long-term care facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic has created new and unanticipated uncertainties for staff. In this short report, we present our analyses of the uncertainties of care home managers and staff expressed in a self-formed closed WhatsApp™ discussion group during the first stages of the pandemic in the UK. We categorised their wide
(Edited publisher abstract)
The care and support of older people residing in long-term care facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic has created new and unanticipated uncertainties for staff. In this short report, we present our analyses of the uncertainties of care home managers and staff expressed in a self-formed closed WhatsApp™ discussion group during the first stages of the pandemic in the UK. We categorised their wide-ranging questions to understand what information would address these uncertainties and provide support. We have been able to demonstrate that almost one-third of these uncertainties could have been tackled immediately through timely, responsive and unambiguous fact-based guidance. The other uncertainties require appraisal, synthesis and summary of existing evidence, commissioning or provision of a sector- informed research agenda for medium to long term. The questions represent wider internationally relevant care home pandemic-related uncertainties.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
Covid-19, long term care, care homes, older people, access to services, social care staff;
Quality in Ageing and Older Adults, 21(4), 2020, pp.247-252.
Publisher:
Emerald
Purpose: This paper aims to provide an overview of the emerging AgeTech sector and highlight key areas for research and development that have emerged under COVID-19, as well as some of the challenges to real-world implementation. Design/methodology/approach: The paper is a commentary on emerging issues in the AgeTech sector, with particular reference to COVID-19. Information used in this paper...
(Edited publisher abstract)
Purpose: This paper aims to provide an overview of the emerging AgeTech sector and highlight key areas for research and development that have emerged under COVID-19, as well as some of the challenges to real-world implementation. Design/methodology/approach: The paper is a commentary on emerging issues in the AgeTech sector, with particular reference to COVID-19. Information used in this paper is drawn from the Canadian AGE-WELL network. Findings: The COVID-19 pandemic has particularly impacted older adults. Technology has increasingly been seen as a solution to support older adults during this time. AgeTech refers to the use of existing and emerging advanced technologies, such as digital media, information and communication technologies (ICTs), mobile technologies, wearables and smart home systems, to help keep older adults connected and to deliver health and community services. Research limitations/implications: Despite the potential of AgeTech, key challenges remain such as structural barriers to larger-scale implementation, the need to focus on quality of service rather than crisis management and addressing the digital divide. Practical implications: AgeTech helps older adults to stay healthy and active, increases their safety and security, supports independent living and reduces isolation. In particular, technology can support older adults and caregivers in their own homes and communities and meet the desire of most older adults to age in place. Social implications: AgeTech is helpful in assisting older adults to stay connected. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown the importance of the informal social connections and supports within families, communities and voluntary organizations. Originality/value: The last months have seen a huge upsurge in COVID-19-related research and development, as funding organizations, research institutions and companies pivot to meet the challenges thrown up by the pandemic. This paper looks at the potential role of technology to support older adults and caregivers.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
information technology, digital technology, older people, Covid-19, dementia, telehealth, social isolation, assistive technology;
...the pandemic due to the intersection with the social, emotional, and financial consequences of COVID‐19. Furthermore, couples are likely to experience disruptions and delays to the affair recovery process during the pandemic, which can negatively impact their ability to heal. Therefore, recommendations for navigating affair recovery during the pandemic, including adaptations for therapy, are also discussed.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Infidelity occurs in approximately 25% of marriages and is associated with various negative consequences for individuals (e.g., depression, anxiety, and post‐traumatic stress), the couple relationship (e.g., financial loss, increased conflict, and aggression), and the couple's children (e.g., internalizing and externalizing behaviors). Infidelity is also one of the most frequently cited reasons for divorce. The increased stress brought on by the pandemic may be putting couples at an increased risk for experiencing infidelity, and data collected during the pandemic have shown that people across the United States are engaging in behaviors that are associated with a high likelihood of experiencing infidelity. The negative consequences of infidelity are also likely to be exacerbated for couples during the pandemic due to the intersection with the social, emotional, and financial consequences of COVID‐19. Furthermore, couples are likely to experience disruptions and delays to the affair recovery process during the pandemic, which can negatively impact their ability to heal. Therefore, recommendations for navigating affair recovery during the pandemic, including adaptations for therapy, are also discussed.
(Edited publisher abstract)
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the response to the pandemic are combining to produce a tidal wave of need for rehabilitation. Rehabilitation will be needed for survivors of COVID-19, many of whom are older, with underlying health problems. In addition, rehabilitation will be needed for those who have become deconditioned as a result of movement restrictions, social isolation...
(Edited publisher abstract)
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the response to the pandemic are combining to produce a tidal wave of need for rehabilitation. Rehabilitation will be needed for survivors of COVID-19, many of whom are older, with underlying health problems. In addition, rehabilitation will be needed for those who have become deconditioned as a result of movement restrictions, social isolation, and inability to access healthcare for pre-existing or new non-COVID-19 illnesses. Delivering rehabilitation in the same way as before the pandemic will not be practical, nor will this approach meet the likely scale of need for rehabilitation. This commentary reviews the likely rehabilitation needs of older people both with and without COVID-19 and discusses how strategies to deliver effective rehabilitation at scale can be designed and implemented in a world living with COVID-19.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
rehabilitation, older people, Covid-19, health needs, organisational development, service development, change management;
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