The Lived Experience of Older Adults Transferring Between Long-Term Care Facilities During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Long-term care facility (LTCF) residents have been disproportionately affected by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), from increased mortality and restrictive public health measures. The current study aims to describe the experiences of residents relocating between LTCFs at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Emphasis was placed on residents' sense of home and how the pandemic and ensuing isolation affected their transition. This qualitative study follows the principles of constructivist grounded theory. Seven of 10 residents interviewed had cognitive impairment (mean age = 84 years). Four primary themes were elicited from the interviews focusing on residents' perceptions of their environment and highlights the value placed on privacy and control, the multifaceted feeling of loss during the pandemic, the importance of relationships as a source of comfort and pleasure, and resilience shown by residents in times of hardship. Our study indicates that residents experienced dichotomy and paradox during the pandemic, attempting to strike a balance between isolation and camaraderie, infection risk and mental health, and loss and resilience. The need for familial contact and socialization must be balanced against infection control measures.