Pengalaman Anggota Keluarga Mendampingi Lansia Penderita Covid-19 Saat Isolasi di RSU Sembiring Deli Tua

Abstract

Lansia merupakan kelompok yang paling rentan terkena penyakit Covid-19. Kecemasan pada lansia dengan Covid-19 merupakan faktor kesehatan mental yang penting untuk diatasi. Terdapat kendala dalam pemenuhan kebutuhan dasar lansia sehingga lansia memerlukan bantuan keluarga. Pengalaman keluarga dalam mendampingi lansia terpapar Covid-19 sangat berguna untuk memperoleh informasi terkait perawatan. Tujuan penelitian adalah untuk memperoleh informasi yang mendalam tentang pengalaman anggota keluarga ketika mendampingi lansia terpapar Covid-19 selama isolasi di rumah sakit. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian kualitatif, dengan pendekatan fenomenologis. Partisipan terdiri dari 11 anggota keluarga dengan cara purposive sampling, dilakukan wawancara mendalam untuk data yang terdiri dari 5 pernyataan terbuka dengan menggunakan rekaman suara. Analisis data menggunakan analisis isi. Temuan hasil penelitian ini adalah terdapat 7 tema: 1) Pengetahuan pendamping mengenai tujuan pendampingan lansia penderita Covid-19 selama isolasi di RS, 2) Perasaan kekeluargaan saat orang tuanya dinyatakan Covid-19, 3) Kondisi lansia setelahnya dinyatakan Covid-19, 4) Aktivitas pendamping saat mendampingi lansia yang mengidap Covid-19, 5) Saat perawat memberikan motivasi kepada lansia yang mengidap Covid-19, 6) Kendala Pendamping Saat Mendampingi Isolasi Lansia di Rumah Sakit, 7) Harapan terhadap Pendamping Agar Mendampingi Lansia penderita Covid-19 Selama Isolasi di Rumah Sakit. Pentingnya menggali pengalaman keluarga dalam mendampingi lansia penderita Covid-19 selama isolasi di rumah sakit untuk memberikan rasa tenang khususnya psikologi sehingga mempercepat kesembuhan lansia. Dengan hadirnya pendampingan dari pihak keluarga lansia penderita Covid-19 selain memiliki rasa tenang dan hilangnya rasa ketakutan semakin menurun, timbulnya harapan atau semangat kembali, ketika diketahui terkena postif Covid-19 dan jika disertai adanya penyakit penyerta. Kegiatan dari anggota keluarga dalam mendampingi selama isolasi yang sangat positif dan berdampak yaitu berkomunikasi terus menerus dengan lansia, memberikan motivasi kepada lansia agar semangat dalam masa pemulihan, memperhatikan asupan gizi dari makanan yang dikonsumsi lansia, berdoa, menonton dan bahkan berkomunikasi melalui telepon atau video call dengan anggota keluarga di rumah lainnya.Elderly individuals are the most vulnerable group affected by Covid-19. Anxiety among the elderly regarding Covid-19 is an important mental health factor that needs to be addressed. There are obstacles to meeting the basic needs of the elderly, so they require family assistance. The experience of families in caring for elderly individuals exposed to Covid-19 is very useful for obtaining information related to their care. The purpose of this study is to gain in-depth information about the experiences of family members when accompanying elderly individuals exposed to Covid-19 during isolation in hospitals. This research is qualitative, with a phenomenological approach. Participants consisted of 11 family members selected through purposive sampling, and in-depth interviews were conducted for data collection using five open-ended questions recorded via audio. Data analysis employed content analysis. The findings revealed seven themes: 1) Knowledge of caregivers about the purpose of assisting elderly Covid-19 patients during hospital isolation, 2) Family feelings when their parent is diagnosed with Covid-19, 3) The condition of the elderly after being diagnosed with Covid-19, 4) Activities of caregivers while accompanying elderly Covid-19 patients, 5) Moments when nurses motivate elderly patients with Covid-19, 6) Challenges faced by caregivers during the isolation of the elderly in hospitals, 7) Expectations for caregivers to assist elderly Covid-19 patients during hospital isolation. It is crucial to explore the experiences of families in supporting elderly Covid-19 patients during hospital isolation to provide psychological comfort, which can accelerate their recovery. The presence of family support for elderly Covid-19 patients not only alleviates anxiety and fear but also fosters hope and motivation when they learn of their positive Covid-19 status, especially if they have underlying health conditions. Positive and impactful activities by family members during isolation include continuous communication with the elderly, providing motivation for their recovery, monitoring their nutritional intake, praying, watching shows together, and communicating through phone calls or video calls with other family members at home.