The Impact of COVID-19 on Social Isolation in Long-term Care Homes: Perspectives of Policies and Strategies from Six Countries
Charlene H. Chu, Jing Wang, Chie Fukui, Sandra Staudacher, Patrick Alexander Wachholz, Bei Wu
Abstract
Preventing the spread of COVID-19 in long-term care homes is critical for the health of residents who live in these institutions. As a result, broad policies restricting visits to these facilities were put in place internationally. While well meaning, these policies have exacerbated the ongoing social isolation crisis present in long-term care homes prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. This perspective highlights the dominant COVID-19 LTC policies from six countries, and proposes five strategies to address or mitigate social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic that can also be applied in a post-pandemic world.
Topics & Concepts
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)Social isolationIsolation (microbiology)Long-term careTerm (time)2019-20 coronavirus outbreakSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)Social distancePandemicEconomic growthDevelopment economicsMedicineNursingVirologyEconomicsPsychiatryOutbreakQuantum mechanicsInfectious disease (medical specialty)MicrobiologyBiologyPhysicsPathologyDiseaseGeriatric Care and Nursing HomesHealth disparities and outcomesMigration, Aging, and Tourism Studies