Giving Compass' Take:

• Here is a webinar presented by Grantmakers in Aging that details how caregivers can provide the best support in long-term care for the elderly during COVID-19. 

• How can donors help the elderly in their communities? 

• Read more on how you can help isolated older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Older people and people with underlying health problems are at elevated risk of serious illness and death from COVID-19, particularly the 1.3 million residents of nursing homes and other institutional long-term care facilities. By some estimates, many long-term care facilities will experience an outbreak of the virus, transfer to hospitals may not be an option, and the death rate could exceed 20%.

Many families and family caregivers are unaware of the scope of the challenges associated with COVID-19 in long-term care facilities and lack resources to help prepare themselves and their family member, mentally and emotionally, for the possible impact. Geriatricians and long-term care providers are urging all families and caregivers of older adults (particularly those in long-term care) to understand their options and act now to engage in meaningful conversation with their loved one about care options as well as preferences for end-of-life care, if that is needed.

Panelists: Joanne Lynn, MD, Policy Analyst, Altarum Center for Elder Care and Advanced Illness at the Altarum Institute; and Katie Smith Sloan, President and CEO of LeadingAge and Executive Director of The Global Ageing Network Moderated by John Feather, CEO, Grantmakers In Aging Thank you to The John A. Hartford Foundation for supporting this webinar.

Read the full article about long-term care during COVID-19 Grantmakers in Aging.