Optimization of the resilience to COVID-19 of long-term care institutions serving linguistic-cultural minorities in Manitoba, New Brunswick and Quebec: evaluation and co-construction of innovative approaches to optimize the social participation of families and caregivers in the challenges of potential outbreaks

Google translate: In Canada, 81% of deaths from the first wave of COVID-19 occurred in long-term care facilities (LTCF). In addition to this heavy toll, there is the threat of a second wave, which has already started in several jurisdictions. Public health measures that reduce contact with professionals, families and caregivers, lock up LTCFs. This particular context, which includes the restriction of visits, deepens the isolation and loneliness of the elderly (PA), particularly in a minority context. These collateral effects that make the IPs more vulnerable, not anticipated in the response, are today strongly experienced by the LTCFs. This unique and alarming situation forces LTCFs to develop promising practices for the present and future outbreaks and ensure the maintenance of social capital between IPs and their families and caregivers, as well as with staff, to break the isolation. and loneliness. In Quebec, a third of COVID-19 infections concern health care personnel. LTCFs, the ideal setting for seasonal outbreaks (eg influenza), already operate with insufficient staff, exhausted and fearful of infection. The vast majority of LTCs do not integrate digital technologies optimally to support staff. No one was prepared for the challenge of COVID-19, but the innovations implemented so far indicate islands of success, winning practices that our project will capitalize on, by focusing on linguistic-cultural minorities (English-speaking ESLDs). of Quebec and francophones of Manitoba and New Brunswick). Indeed, few initiatives concerning COVID-19 are reported with these populations and the situation could be more difficult among IPs in the context of linguisticocultural minority who usually encounter challenges in accessing the health system. Given the very limited number of LTCFs dedicated to these minority populations in the provinces, families and relatives are often geographically far away, or even in other provinces of the country, digital solutions appear particularly relevant. Of the six strategic options, the project revolves around the presence of families (# 6), as key partners in caring for and breaking loneliness. Subsidiarily, it involves the components 2) prevention and 3) effective. The goal of the project is to identify and implement best practices and promising policies and create a community of practice to alleviate the isolation and loneliness of IPs in per and post COVID-19 to ensure safe and quality care in LTCFs.]