Covid-19-pandemins påverkan på personer med intellektuell funktionsnedsättning i Sverige : Anhörigas och personals erfarenheter efter sex månader

• Persons with intellectual disability can be assumed to be particularly vulnerable to adverse consequen-ces of the Covid-19 pandemic. The increased risk of severe illness due to Covid-19, along with effects on social and community life, have very likely influenced persons with intellectual disability in unfo-reseen ways. The aim of this article is to identify how services and care for persons with intellectual disability in Sweden have been affected during the Covid-19 pandemic. Research questions addres-sed: (1) corona restrictions and consequences for persons with intellectual disabilities; (2) effects on support provided by staff and family members of persons with intellectual disability. An anonymous survey was distributed to 290 municipalities in Sweden and 33 privately owned care companies, and to relatives and family members through organizations within civil society. A total of 919 care-givers (340 relatives and 579 staff) completed the web-based survey during the period 25 August–27 September 2020. The results indicate that several aspects of daily life, with a specific focus on social relationships, have been affected, with several services cancelled or severely restricted during the first wave. A total of 661 respondents (77%) report restrictions in visits to and from family, whereas 629 (76%) report restrictions in visits to and from friends. Staff and family members report that daily activity centres have been cancelled or severely restricted (66.5%), as have social individual activities (73.5%) and individual training activities (75%). Other aspects reported are increases in negative psy-chological and physical health aspects, such as increased mood changes with episodes of depression and anxiety, less physical training and an increase in challenging behaviour. This study stresses the importance of developing specific preparations for possible future pandemic scenarios in order to pre-vent further isolation and negative health effects for persons with intellectual disability.

Ämnesord

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Sociologi -- Socialt arbete (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Sociology -- Social Work (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Människan i välfärdssamhället, Social välfärd med inriktning mot civilsamhället

The Individual in the Welfare Society, Social Welfare and the Civil Society

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)