Care for older adults with long Covid: understanding Healthcare services provided by the health system

Abstract Objective To understand the care provided to older adults in healthcare services concerning long Covid from the perspective of users. Method This study employed a qualitative methodological approach with an exploratory design, involving 41 older adults from the State of Paraná who were diagnosed with Covid-19 in 2020 and exhibited persistent symptoms approximately 18 months after infection. Data collection and analysis were conducted between February and July 2022 through semi-structured telephone interviews. The analysis followed initial and focused coding steps. Results After exploring the results, three categories emerged for discussion: episodic reactive care, which demonstrates how care was delivered; uniprofessional care, which reveals which professionals provided assistance; and reflecting on the care received, which evidences satisfaction with the healthcare services provided. Conclusion The analysis of older adults' perspectives regarding the care received for persistent long Covid symptoms was positive, while also highlighting the presence of a reactive and episodic healthcare culture, where services are sought primarily for curative purposes.