Community services during the COVID-19 pandemic in a Norwegian county: impact on users with multiple, complex needs and their service providers – a qualitative study
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/AMHID-12-2021-0049 |
| Published date | 08 September 2022 |
| Date | 08 September 2022 |
| Pages | 226-238 |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Learning & intellectual disabilities |
| Author | Linda Kristin Hørsrud,Trine Lise Bakken |
Community services during the COVID-19
pandemic in a Norwegian county: impact
on users with multiple, complex needs
and their service providers –a
qualitative study
Linda Kristin Hørsrud and Trine Lise Bakken
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of this paper is to investigate how users with particularly complex needs
including intellectual disability (ID) reacted to the changes and restrictions during the COVID-19
pandemicin 2020.
Design/methodology/approach –As few studies of changes during the pandemicinclude users with
ID and multiple, complex needs, the authors adopted a qualitative approach, using a semistructured
interview guide. Ten participants were leading ID nurses in residential facilities in community settings.
The interviewswere taped, transcribed and analyzedusing a thematic analysis.
Findings –The thematic analysis generated six main themes, including both user and staff
perspectives: daily routines, activities, facilitation of tasks and well-being, from the users perspectives,
and use of workinghours and positive staff experiences, fromthe staff perspectives.
Research limitations/implications –Ten residential facilities constituted a convenience sample of
services for users with multiple,complex needs. Thus, the authors do not know whether the findings are
representative.Further research should includeuser opinions based on the findings of this study.
Practical implications –The users representedin this study appeared to experience less stressduring
the pandemic, contraryto the expectations of professional caregivers.The findings indicated more well-
being among users. It was noted that receiving services at home, largely flexibleschedules, staying in
bed a little longer in the morning and avoidingstressful situations, such as travelling in minibuses, was
appreciatedby the users.
Social implications –Daily scheduleswith activities throughout the day should be consideredfor users
as representedin this study. Stressful events shouldalso be considered.
Originality/value –The knowledge about pandemic experiences of users with ID and additional
complex conditions and hence comprehensive needs is still sparse. This study may add to this
knowledge.
Keywords Intellectual disability, Complex needs, Community services, Psychological stress,
COVID-19 pandemic, Residential facilities
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
Norway shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic from March 2020. People with
intellectual disabilities (IDs) found that sheltered work facilities, day center and leisure
activities were closed or access was considerably limited. Like other countries, infection
control measures resulted in strict regulations regarding social mobility, including activities
Linda Kristin Hørsrud is
based at Department of
Adult Habilitation, Telemark
Hospital, Skien, Norway.
Trine Lise Bakken is based
at Psychiatric Department
for Persons with Intellectual
Disabilities, Oslo University
Hospital, Asker, Norway.
Received 10 December 2021
Revised 15 July 2022
Accepted 13 August 2022
The authors thank all
participants in this study for
taking their time, and to share
their experiences from caring
for people with ID during the
pandemic.
Funding: This project was
funded by the Telemark
Hospital.
PAGE 226 jADVANCES IN MENTAL HEALTH ANDINTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES jVOL. 16 NO. 4 2022, pp. 226-238, ©Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 2044-1282 DOI 10.1108/AMHID-12-2021-0049
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