The COVID-19 pandemic impacted healthcare settings, particularly long-term care
facilities (LTCFs) that serve vulnerable older adults. Measures implemented to enhance LTCF
resident’s safety also had profound effects on staff, especially care aides who provide direct care,
yet little is known about their specific experiences during the pandemic. This study aims to shed
light on the experiences of care aides working in LTCFs in northern British Columbia during the
COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on their job satisfaction. A systematic review using Arksey and
O'Malley's (2005) scoping study framework examined four databases: PubMed MEDLINE,
CINAHL, Social Work Abstracts, and APA PsycINFO. Secondary qualitative data from eight
care aides, collected through one-hour semi-structured interviews, was analyzed using Braun and
Clarke's (2006) thematic analysis method. The findings reveal that the COVID-19 pandemic
increased workloads and stress levels among care aides, negatively impacting their job
satisfaction due to inadequate support systems, disrupted communication, and new safety
policies. The study underscores the need for increased staffing, better psychological and financial
support, and enhanced communication channels, recommending crisis management training and
ongoing education. Further research is needed to evaluate the long-term effects of the COVID-19
pandemic on care aides' job satisfaction and mental health, particularly in rural areas.
