The Residents’ Experience of Social and Spatial Disconnection and Connection in Residential Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Figures & data

Figure 1. Typical design: Plan of RCH 1, first floor, containing two similar units.

Table 1. Interviewees, details.

RCH	Gender	Age	Time in the RCH	Conditions	Family
1	Woman	90	2.5 years	Stroke Permanent wheelchair user	Two sons
1	Woman	74	3 years	Stroke Permanent wheelchair user	One brother
1	Woman	90	Ten months	Balance problems Temporary wheelchair user	Two daughters Siblings
1	Woman	60	Five months	Muscle degenerative disorder Walking frame user	Yes, but unknown
2	Woman	95	3 years	Hip fracture. Walking frame user. Is not allowed to walk on her own	Two daughters, four grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren
2	Woman	85	2.5 years	Stroke, liver problems Hip problems. Permanent wheelchair user.	Two daughters, grandchildren, one brother
3	Woman	77	3 years	Impaired vision	Two daughters, grandchildren
3	Man	80	1.5 years	Aphasia Walking disability, permanent wheelchair user	Wife
3	Man	70	4 years	Asthma, walking disability, temporary wheelchair user, scooter user	Widowed, no children Mother, sisters and a brother
3	Woman	96	1.5 years	General weakness, permanent wheelchair user	Two daughters
3	Woman	80	2 years	Parkinson’s, temporary wheelchair user, walking frame user	One son and a daughter-in-law. One daughter

Table 2. Spatial strategies and aspects of connection/disconnection negotiation.

Spatial strategy	Spaces	Connection	Disconnection
Isolation	Resident room	Intensified and new uses of the private room Stronger experience of the small size of the rooms and furnishing problems Intensified experience of oneself More frequent use of ordinary things for communication and leisure activities Not that different experience from normal everyday life Adherence to staff instructions	From staff From visits Limited information Experience of ambiguity From the seriousness of the disease
Restricted movements	Common rooms Outdoor areas	Intensified use of outdoor areas in summer Staff messages conveyed with spaces and artifacts Reconnection with visitors and staff Adherence to staff instructions	From common spaces From common meals From common activities From outdoor areas
Social distancing	Common rooms Outdoor areas	Experience of the disease (in case one did not adhere to recommendations) Adherence to staff instructions	From fellow residents From staff