Turkey shielded its elderly from COVID-19 by protecting health workers in nursing homes
Photo by Haydn Golden
Almost two weeks before the first COVID-19 case was identified in the country, visits to nursing homes in Turkey were restricted. Six weeks earlier, the country had also begun implementing measures to protect its older citizens from the virus. A series of timely preventive measures such as these, supported by WHO, helped to limit the spread of the virus in many of Turkey’s care homes.
Health care worker Ms Hatice points out that staff were required to work on a 14-day rota system, which meant that they had to stay at the nursing home during that time. However, she says that once staff were regularly tested for COVID-19, this made it easier for them to return home and see their loved ones. “Fortunately, we are all fine but being away from our home made us long for our families and children,” she remembers.
The WHO Country Office in Turkey provided technical expertise, in line with WHO guidance, to the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Services. “Our WHO support has helped directors of nursing homes across Turkey to procure adequate personal protective equipment (PPE), minimize travel, maintain hygiene standards, and improve testing protocols, nutrition and visiting policies”, reports National Professional Officer Toker Ergüder.
Moral support – the best medicine
Dr Orhan Koç from the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Services explains that WHO advice helped establish quarantine measures and nursing home staff acted in accordance with these rules. Residents were asked not to go outdoors and staff had to work on a fixed 7-, 10- or 14-day rota. “They generously accepted being away from their families,” he notes, “and those who had a relative coming from abroad or had contact with an infected person were granted administrative leave.”
Mr Savaş, a resident of one of the nursing homes, is aware that the pandemic brings critical risks for the country and the world, but believes he is well cared for. “Here we are protected by meticulous measures,” he emphasizes. “Our medical check-ups are performed regularly and we could not find a safer place. However, I hope that things can eventually go back to the way they were here.”
Quarantine measures meant visitors were not allowed into care homes, even though staff continued with activities such as music groups and offering psychosocial support to residents. “We encourage all our citizens to call their elderly parents and relatives on the phone,” adds Dr Koç, who believes that “the best medicine today is to give moral support.”
Round-the-clock health surveillance
Other interventions included getting an early diagnosis and health screenings in care homes four times a day. “We try to minimize the risk,” says Dr Koç, noting that 8000 staff work in government-affiliated nursing homes, and that all of their family and contact histories are closely traced.
“We provide testing and general check-ups to all staff clocking in and out on fixed shifts. We are trying to bring the processes under control for each trip for elderly residents receiving outpatient treatments outside the institution, for example, in hospitals or dialysis centres. In addition, we screen the entire institution when there is the slightest suspicion of infection and ensure round-the-clock health surveillance.
“Having a positive case is a big challenge in an institution like ours, but what is more important is ensuring that the numbers do not increase, to bring it under control.”
