Μονάδες Φροντίδας Ηλικιωμένων στην Ελλάδα: Ένας Χρόνος Διαχείρισης της Πανδημικής Κρίσης CoViD-19

Abstract

The CoViD-19 pandemic, caused by the new coronavirus SARS-Cov-2, has brought the Long-Term Care Sector (LTC) into an unprecedented emergency situation. Statistics from various European countries show that high rates of CoViD-19 -related deaths occur in elderly people living in LTC units. This article presents the results of a bibliographical study and a quantitative survey conducted through questionnaire answered by owners, directors and administrators of Elderly Care Units in Greece. An attempt was also made to record the policies followed to prevent and tackle the CoViD-19 pandemic. The results of the implementation of these policies are presented as well as the economic and operational impact on Elderly Care Units, and the psychological impact to their residents, the residents' relatives, and human resources of the Units. The LTC sector in Greece holds positive results in prevent- ing and treating the transmission of coronavirus at national level. Moreover, Greek LTC sector understood early on the seriousness of the upcoming situation; Therefore, was suitably prepared by training its human resources, by informing the relatives of the measures to be taken, and was strongly attuned to the international updates on the evolution of events. However, the economic impact on the sector was large, reflected by a loss of revenue and profits and a large increase in costs, due to the nearly non-existent state assistance. Furthermore, according to the survey responses, the negative effects of "home" restriction and the ban on visiting for more than 6 months are reflected in the psychological state of the Units’ residents and their relatives.