Long-Term Care and the COVID-19 Pandemic: Lessons Learned

Abstract

US nursing homes and other long-term care (LTC) communities such as assisted living and adult day care services have been disproportionally affected by COVID-19. Nurses and health care workers provided care and services despite health concerns for themselves and family members. Nurses on the frontline were called to act with extraordinary tenacity, skill, flexibility, and creativity to prevent infection; prevent complications; and optimize function, health, and well-being. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the strategies prioritized and implemented by nurse and interdisciplinary colleagues in LTC settings.

Keywords: Adult day services; Assisted living; COVID-19 strategies; Long-term care; Nurses; Nursing home.