Impact of live-in care workers on health and well-being of older people with long-term care needs and their primary informal care providers during the Covid-19 pandemic in Italy

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the impact of privately hired live-in care workers (LICWs), many of whom have a migrant background, on overall health status, emotional/psychological status and quality of life of older people with long-term care (LTC) needs and their primary informal care providers. We assessed changes in these attributes, during Covid-19 containment measures adopted in Italy, which resulted in reduced access to and use of formal LTC services. Data came from a survey of 196 older people with LTC needs and their primary informal care providers living in the Marche region of Italy. Binary logistic regression was used to estimate associations between employment of a LICW and change in overall health status, psychological health and quality of life of older people with LTC needs and their primary informal care providers during the initial stages of the Covid-19 pandemic in Italy. Among older people with LTC needs, the hiring of LICW significantly increased the odds of having stable overall health status (OR = 2.60; 95% CI = 1.00–6.78; p = 0.050), emotional or psychological wellbeing (OR = 2.24; 95% CI = 1.06–4.72; p = 0.034) and quality of life (OR = 2.16; 95% CI = 1.05–4.45; p = 0.038), compared to the pre-pandemic status. These results highlight the important role of LICWs in protecting the health and wellbeing of older people with LTC needs and their primary informal care providers during major impactful events such as the Covid-19 pandemic. Not applicable.