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How did the COVID-19 restrictions change the digital contact of people with intellectual disabilities?: A longitudinal multi-method study in sheltered home care facilities
Wagemaker,Eline Bakkum,Lianne Tissing,Laura van de Water,Loïs Frielink,Noud Embregts,Petri J.C.M. van Keer,Ines ten Brug,Annet Sterkenburg,Paula S. de Schipper,J. Clasien
Wagemaker,Eline
Bakkum,Lianne
Tissing,Laura
van de Water,Loïs
Frielink,Noud
Embregts,Petri J.C.M.
van Keer,Ines
ten Brug,Annet
Sterkenburg,Paula S.
de Schipper,J. Clasien
Abstract
Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, people with intellectual disabilities in sheltered home care facilities had to use digital contact as an alternative to face-to-face contact. Method: This study assessed digital and face-to-face contact and sentiment around digital contact among people with different levels of intellectual disability before, during and after the COVID-19 restrictions (2016–2023) by analysing 575,348 daily records from a care organisation and yearly surveys from 342 relatives. Results: In the care records, mentions and positive sentiment around digital contact increased at the start of the restrictions and stabilised after the restrictions. According to relatives, digital contact remained similar over this period, while face-to-face contact was diminished during the restrictions. Conclusion: If the increased attention and predominantly positive sentiment to digital contact after the COVID-19 restrictions in one large care organisation is indicative of a wider shift in long-term care, more is needed for increasing contact with relatives.
Description
Date
2025-11
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Volume Title
Publisher
Research Projects
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Keywords
COVID-19, digital contact, intellectual disabilities, time trends, SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
Citation
Wagemaker, E, Bakkum, L, Tissing, L, van de Water, L, Frielink, N, Embregts, P J C M, van Keer, I, ten Brug, A, Sterkenburg, P S, de Schipper, J C, Tharner, A & Schuengel, C 2025, 'How did the COVID-19 restrictions change the digital contact of people with intellectual disabilities? A longitudinal multi-method study in sheltered home care facilities', Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, vol. 38, no. 6, e70140. https://doi.org/10.1111/jar.70140