Exploring Resilience in UK-Based Domiciliary Care Workers before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Psychology
• Sociology

Background:

• Domiciliary carers (DCs) are vital for enabling people living with dementia (PLWD) to age in place.
• The negative impacts of domiciliary caregiving are well-documented, with the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbating these challenges.
• Less is understood about the coping mechanisms and resilience factors employed by DCs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the resources and resilience strategies used by DCs caring for PLWD.
• To understand how these strategies were applied before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To identify factors that support DCs in managing role-related stress.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study employing semi-structured interviews with 19 DCs across the UK.
• Data analyzed using directed qualitative content analysis.
• Focus on identifying themes related to stress management and resilience.

Main Results:

• Key themes identified include: establishing healthy boundaries, intrinsic motivation to care, personal psychological attributes, effective work management, and seeking support.
• DCs draw on a range of personal and professional resources to navigate the demands of their role.
• These resources were utilized both pre-pandemic and during the COVID-19 crisis.

Conclusions:

• Findings highlight the importance of resilience in domiciliary caregiving for people living with dementia.
• Implications for employers to improve working conditions, enhance staff retention, and attract new talent.
• Strategies identified can inform support systems for domiciliary carers.