From a perspective of countering mistreatment, an analysis of public discourse concerning older adults during the pandemic.

PRINCIPAL RESEARCHER:

Marie Beaulieu Ph.D

RESEARCH TEAM:

N.a.

CHAIR PERSONNEL INVOLVED IN THE PROJECT:

Julien Cadieux Genesse, Research Chair Coordinator

Kevin St-Martin, Research assistant

GRANTING AGENCY AND GRANT AMOUNT:

Research Chair Funds

PROJECT COMPLETION DATES:

Beginning February 2020, no specific end date

ROLE OF CHAIR IN THE PROJECT:

Initiator and project leader

RESEARCH PROBLEM:

Between April and June 2020, health, defined by the World Health Organisation in 1946 as ‘… a complete state of physical, mental and social well-being,’ was severely challenged in the older adult population residing in long-term care facilities (CHSLD) in Québec. Their security and integrity that usually stem from on-time access to quality healthcare and social services corresponding to their needs were compromised. In long-term care facilities, the health and social crisis of COVID-19 led to an upsurge in cases of physical, psychological and organisational neglect and an over-representation of deaths due to the virus. From March to June 2020, not less than 69.1% of the registered deaths in long-term care facilities were related to the pandemic. (INSPQ -Quebec Public Health expertise and reference center, 2020).

The World Health Organisation’s promotion of health as ‘physical, mental and social well-being’ is not altered by the pandemic and should be considered and applied in all community and private residences for older adults (including long-term care facilities (CHSLD), intermediate resources (RI), family-type residences (RTF) and other conventional settings.  However, an essential part of the Chair’s work is concentrated on Québec’s long-term care facilities.

GOAL OF THE PROJECT OR RESEARCH QUESTION:

Collect and analyse available data from provincial, national and international sources concerning COVID-19 and connect the information with the actions to counter the mistreatment of older adults.

MEHODOLOGY:

The data forming the basis of this work is taken from the official archives of the National Assembly of Québec. Information also comes from public documents of Québec and Canadian government organisations, committees of experts and journalistic sources.

An official consultation between members of the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA) also provided data for this constituent project.

The data was analysed through a unique matrix. The analysis linked age groups, public health measures, delays in governmental responses, accessibility of material, financial and human resources, and the physical, psychological, social, and economic consequences of the COVID-19 crisis for older adults, their families and friends.

PROJECT ADVANCEMENT:

The Chair’s team is presently working on finalising many documents on this subject.

COMMUNICATIONS:

Beaulieu, M., (October 14, 2020). Mistreatment of Older Persons in the time of COVID-19: Lessons from the first wave. Symposium “Complexity, Effects and Learning after COVID-19” at the I Segg Virtual Congress (Spanish Society of Gerontology and Geriatrics).

Beaulieu, M., (April 23, 2020). COVID-19 in Canada – Québec, Situation in communal living environments (Nursing Homes, Residential Settings for Older Adults). International Webinar “COVID 19 (Corona Virus Infectious Disease 2019) Global Pandemic” organised by the International Network for Prevention of  Elder Abuse.

PUBLICATIONS:

Brief

Beaulieu, M., Cadieux Genesse, J. & St-Martin, K. (2020).  Mistreatment in Long-term Care Facilities During the COVID-19 Pandemic.   Submitted to the Québec Ombudsman’s investigation into the management of the COVID-19 crisis in CHSLDs 15p.

Scientific  ( Articles)

Beaulieu, M., Cadieux Genesse, J. & St-Martin, K. (Accepted, to be published Oct 2020). High Death Rate of Older Persons From COVID-19 in Quebec (Canada) Long-Term Care Facilities: Chronology and Analysis. Journal of Adult Protection.

Beaulieu, M., Cadieux Genesse, J. & St-Martin, K. (Accepted, to be published Oct 2020). COVID-19 and Residential Care Facilities: Issues and concerns identified by the International Network Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA). Journal of Adult Protection

Fraser, S., Lagacé, M. et al. (40 co-signers, including Beaulieu, M.). (2020). Ageism and COVID-19: What does our society’s response say about us? Age and Ageing, 49(5) 692-695.

MEDIA