Actual work situation of second-layer Seikatsu-shien coordinators before and after the first emergency declaration during the COVID-19 pandemic

Objective This study aims to understand the status of the resident support activities of second-layer Seikatsu-shien coordinators, who assist in local residents' community development activities, based on long-term care. It observes the effects of these activities, and the presence or absence of relevant instructions from the government or affiliated institutions during and after a state of emergency, such as a lockdown situation. This was examined during the first state of emergency following the COVID-19 crisis, from April to May 2020.Method In October 2020, a self-administered questionnaire was distributed by mail to 279 second-layer Seikatsu-shien coordinators working in Tokyo's special wards, and 181 responses were collected. The survey focused on the coordinators' activities and activity frequency before the spread of COVID-19, during the state of emergency, and after the activities resumed. Furthermore, the survey questioned whether relevant instructions from the government or affiliated institutions were given during the state of emergency and after the activities resumed. Their details were confirmed in the free comments section.Activity In creating and revising regional diagnosis tables for the area covered, creating and distributing information magazines and leaflets, etc. included in “understanding social resources and providing information to relevant parties,” activity frequency was significantly higher after activities resumed, than before the spread of infection. During the state of emergency, activity frequency was high in the affiliated institution, and only 3.4% of the coordinators visited and spoke to local residents; 91.1% of respondents received instructions from government and affiliated institutions during the state of emergency, and activity frequency was significantly higher when there were instructions; 76.5% received instructions after resuming activities, and activity frequency, such as understanding residents' needs through individual interviews and visits, matching them with services, and supporting the resumption of activity groups was significantly higher when instructions were provided.Conclusion After resuming activities, understanding the value of social resources and providing information to the relevant parties was prioritized. During the state of emergency, almost no visits or calls were made to local residents. The frequency of activities to reach out to residents was higher in the presence of instructions, especial