Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the experiences of inpatient family caregivers who experienced restrictions in meeting their family members owing to the changed visitation guidelines of long-term care hospitals during the early stages of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We aimed to deepen our understanding of the nature of these caregivers' experiences. METHODS: The participants were family caregivers of patients in long-term care hospitals during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. We collected data from nine inpatient caregivers from April to July 2021. Individual interviews and data were analyzed using Colaizzi's phenomenological method. RESULTS: Participants' experiences were classified into the following three themes: (1) a prison-like long-term care hospital bound by strict COVID-19 prevention rules; (2) growing affection for unreachable parents; and (3) adaptation to a new, safer daily life. Participants had difficulty communicating with their families living under quarantine conditions during COVID-19 due to non-face-to-face situations. However, amid the long-term COVID-19 situation, participants overcame these challenges through efforts to facilitate communication. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study can be used as basic data to support the smooth communication between patients and caregivers in long-term care hospitals in the event of an infectious disease outbreak in the future, to alleviate emotional stress, and to minimize the weakening of families.