«Det var alltid det å trygge dem» En kvalitativ studie av vernepleiers ivaretakelse av utviklingshemmedes medvirkning i eget tjenestetilbud under Covid-19-pandemien 2020-21

Abstract

Many experienced that the emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic and measures to prevent infection were intrusive in everyday life. In particular, the developmentally disabled were highlighted as a vulnerable group during the pandemic. The study examines care workers' experience related to participation in service users own everyday life during the pandemic and focuses on people with developmental disabilities who live in municipal housing staffed around the clock. The study is based on qualitative method, and interviews with four care workers. All the care workers have worked during the pandemic in municipal housing that has provided assistance and health care to the developmentally disabled during the first phase of the pandemic. The analysis is based on thematic analysis.The study has examined social care nurses' experiences with environmental therapeutic work, and safeguarding service users' participation. According to the informants, people who have complex needs and have round-the-clock staffing have done surprisingly well. However, the pandemic has been a burden for the staff, as they must follow infection control measures and at the same time maintain quality and development in the service offering. Through the organization of measures, the care workers show great adaptability and awareness of the pandemic and the consequences it has. The result shows some overall issues that are relevant for further research on related knowledge and professional development. In particular, care by health personnel emerges as an important finding, and there is a need to investigate this further.