COVID-19’s Impact on Nursing homes: A Caregiver’s Outlook

The COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented challenges to nursing homes, forcing difficult decisions and exposing vulnerabilities in the care system. One nurse shares her firsthand experiences.

Visitor Restrictions: A “Dramatic” Impact

In March 2025, Carla van velzen, a nurse at Leythenrode nursing home in Leiderdorp, reflected on the early days of the pandemic and the difficult choices that had to be made. The impact of visitor restrictions was immediate and profound. “The fact that we were no longer allowed to allow a visit to visit was really dramatic for people. And how are you going to explain that?” van Velzen recalls.

While some residents adapted to the quiet, others, especially those with dementia, displayed signs of loneliness and distress, underscoring the critical role of family and community in their well-being. According to the CDC’s national Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN), nursing homes reported data on resident impact, facility capacity, and other key metrics throughout the pandemic.

The Turning Point: Hospital Overload

The severity of the situation became starkly clear when the local hospital reached its breaking point. “The turning point for us came when we were briefed about the situation by the hospital,” van Velzen stated. “I know the people of infection prevention,those are very decisive people. And she burst into crying. She said: it’s so terrible to see.” This emotional briefing highlighted the urgency of the situation and the need for drastic measures to protect vulnerable residents.

Quarantine Measures for New Admissions

Initially, admissions to nursing homes were halted. However, the need for beds eventually led to a carefully managed quarantine process.”Then we said that we were going to take eight patients at the same time,” explained van Velzen. This required a two-week quarantine in specially prepared spaces,complete with living and recreation areas. Strict testing protocols were in place, with nurses collecting samples in full protective gear.”I remember running through the region on Sunday morning and then on the sidewalk with people dressed in protective clothing. Then we took the test at the door.”

This quarantine period was emotionally taxing for both residents and their families. “They had to say goodbye to their loved ones for two weeks. That was really very difficult.If your father, mother or partner is demented, and you don’t see each other for two weeks, what is the situation when you see each other again? Do you still recognize your husband, woman, child? it was really very emotional for those people.”

Outbreak and Relocation: A Traumatic Experience

While Leythenrode avoided an outbreak in the first wave, the second wave brought the virus into the facility. Affected residents were immediately transferred to a dedicated COVID-19 unit at a local hospital. “Everyone who fell ill was transferred to Alphen aan den Rijn that same day. There, the day nursing department of the hospital had been converted into a Corona department.”

This relocation was particularly difficult due to the strong bonds formed between residents and staff. “That was really very drastic. because people sometimes lived here for ten or fifteen years. And then they became very seriously ill, had the chance to die, and were then transferred to a fully different habitat.” The sudden loss of residents, coupled with the inability to say goodbye, had a lasting impact on the staff.”Unlike in a hospital, you really build a bond with residents. And suddenly you hear that someone is gone, and later that that person died. And all without being able to say goodbye. That was really traumatic, also for the staff.”

Maintaining Connections: Remote Activities and Creative Solutions

Despite the challenges, efforts were made to maintain residents’ spirits and connections with the outside world. activities were organized remotely, including balcony performances and window visits. Phone calls were also facilitated. “There have been performances so that people coudl listen from the balcony. Visit could also run down the windows so that they could see each other. And at some point we also entered the calling downstairs. visitors were then outside and the residents inside. Then they could call each other.”

One touching anecdote involved a deaf couple who communicated through sign language during window visits. “There was also a woman who was deaf here. She was married to a man who was also deaf. while everyone was messing around with their phones, they had the biggest conversations with each other, just with sign language,” van Velzen remembers.

Reflections on Inhumanity vs. Necessity

The measures implemented in nursing homes were undeniably drastic, leading some to question their humanity. Van Velzen acknowledges the complexity of the situation. “We had to deal with a virus that we didn’t know how it would develop. “So you can’t say that they were inhumane measures.” Yet, she also recognizes the inherent hardships. “Yes of course, if you had viewed it in advance, it would have been inhuman.But the situation was there. A lot of people died in the nursing homes, and they died in a very nasty way.”

Moving Forward: Lessons Learned

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed vulnerabilities within the nursing home system and highlighted the importance of infection control, resident well-being, and staff support.As we move forward, it is crucial to learn from these experiences and implement strategies to better protect vulnerable populations in future health crises.

What steps can you take to advocate for better care in nursing homes? Share your thoughts and ideas in the comments below.