“Long-term care facilities as a risk factor in death from COVID-19”

“Long-term care facilities as a risk factor in death from COVID-19,” by Neil Gandal, Matan Yonas, Michal Feldman, Ady Pauzner, and Avraham Tabbach, Vox

Quote:

“COVID-19 deaths rates vary widely across European countries, from as low as 5 deaths per million in Slovakia to as high as 760 deaths per million in Belgium (as of May 13). Using data on 32 countries from the WHO European Health Information Gateway, this column shows that the COVID -19 death rate is higher in countries with more long-term care beds. This provides evidence that living in long-term care facilities is a significant risk factor for death from COVID-19, and suggests that countries should adopt policies to protect their older populations living in such facilities before the second wave (likely) arrives.”

LTC Comment (from Stephen A. Moses, President, Center for Long-Term Care Reform):

The LTC financing stakes are higher than ever. Relying on Medicaid for nursing home care may be more than an unfortunate outcome. Rather a death sentence. Get the facts and share them. Help more people prepare.