Background
Long-term care facilities play an important role in the health system particularly for the aged and the chronically ill. The development of long-term care in the health systems of the South-East Asia Region remains unsatisfactory. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected older people disproportionately, especially those living in long-term care facilities. It has been observed that long-term care recipients are most susceptible to COVID-19 and its complications. In many countries, evidence shows that more than 50% of COVID-19-related deaths have been linked to long-term care facilities, with figures being as high as 80% in some high-income countries. Furthermore, in countries of the South-East Asia Region, where access to institutional long-term health services is limited, older persons were also often among the caregivers responding to the pandemic, increasing their risk of exposure to the virus. To address the vulnerability of long-term care recipients in home, community, and institutions during the COVID 19 pandemic, greater intervention is essential.
The seventh webinar in this series “Long-term care of older people during COVID-19” was scheduled at 13:00 hrs (IST) on Wednesday, 30 September 2020. The prevention and management of COVID-19 across long-term care services, strategies to ensure the safety and dignity of older people, and the stress of caring for the terminally ill during the COVID-19 pandemic were presented.
Objective
The objective of the webinar was to discuss WHO guidance on preventing and managing COVID-19 across long term care services, strategies to ensure the safety and dignity of older people in long term care facilities, and the stress of caring for the terminally ill during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Technical resources
