A document by a support and advocacy service for vulnerable adults has identified poor practice in nursing homes during the first wave of Covid-19.
Sage Advocacy says the pandemic has exposed how Ireland's current long-term support and care system, with its high reliance on residential nursing homes, was "totally inadequate" to safeguard vulnerable, older people.
The document titled Choice Matters draws attention to the impact of visitor restrictions from early March on nursing home residents, particularly those with reduced decision making capacity.
It is based primarily on analysis of feedback and reflections from Sage Advocacy's frontline personnel who have continued to provide support and advocacy services throughout the pandemic.