The Italian Experience in Protecting Older People During COVID-19: Lessons Learned for Long-Term Care Facilities (LTCF)

<p><strong>Context:</strong> Older people living in LTCF were particularly affected by COVID-19. Italy was the first country in Europe to experience high death rates among older people. Analysing the factors which may have determined high mortality rates in LTCF and identifying act...

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Main Authors: Maria Luisa Buzelli, Tammy Boyce
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: LSE Press 2022-03-01
Series:Journal of Long-Term Care
Subjects:
Online Access:https://journal.ilpnetwork.org/articles/92
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author Maria Luisa Buzelli
Tammy Boyce
author_facet Maria Luisa Buzelli
Tammy Boyce
author_sort Maria Luisa Buzelli
collection DOAJ
description <p><strong>Context:</strong> Older people living in LTCF were particularly affected by COVID-19. Italy was the first country in Europe to experience high death rates among older people. Analysing the factors which may have determined high mortality rates in LTCF and identifying actions to safeguard older people’s health in long-term care settings may be critical for future public health emergencies.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Identify the main challenges and failures faced by a small number of Italian professionals working in LTCF and suggest key actions to better protect older people’s health in future emergencies.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Rapid survey conducted among Italian professionals working in the LTC sector in Italy during the pandemic.</p><p><strong>Findings: </strong>Several factors contributed to higher death rates in LTCF for older people in Italy. To better protect LTCF residents in case of future health emergencies, actions need to be implemented in relation to LTCF’s management, governance and capacity building. Furthermore, safety plans and strategies need to be put in place to ensure older residents’ protection and maintain high level of care in LTCF during public health emergencies, such as COVID-19.</p><p><strong>Limitations:</strong> The article reflects the opinions of a limited number of professionals working in the long-term care sector, which may not be representative of all workers operating in the sector.</p><p><strong>Implications: </strong>Policy and system changes are needed to strengthen the capacity of the Italian long- term care sector to respond to the needs of a growing older population in the context of COVID-19 and beyond.</p>
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spelling doaj.art-cf24aed980c345dbb71c09a163cd1a262023-01-04T15:00:30ZengLSE PressJournal of Long-Term Care2516-91222022-03-010202210.31389/jltc.9285The Italian Experience in Protecting Older People During COVID-19: Lessons Learned for Long-Term Care Facilities (LTCF)Maria Luisa Buzelli0Tammy Boyce1Freelance ResearcherCardiff University<p><strong>Context:</strong> Older people living in LTCF were particularly affected by COVID-19. Italy was the first country in Europe to experience high death rates among older people. Analysing the factors which may have determined high mortality rates in LTCF and identifying actions to safeguard older people’s health in long-term care settings may be critical for future public health emergencies.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Identify the main challenges and failures faced by a small number of Italian professionals working in LTCF and suggest key actions to better protect older people’s health in future emergencies.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Rapid survey conducted among Italian professionals working in the LTC sector in Italy during the pandemic.</p><p><strong>Findings: </strong>Several factors contributed to higher death rates in LTCF for older people in Italy. To better protect LTCF residents in case of future health emergencies, actions need to be implemented in relation to LTCF’s management, governance and capacity building. Furthermore, safety plans and strategies need to be put in place to ensure older residents’ protection and maintain high level of care in LTCF during public health emergencies, such as COVID-19.</p><p><strong>Limitations:</strong> The article reflects the opinions of a limited number of professionals working in the long-term care sector, which may not be representative of all workers operating in the sector.</p><p><strong>Implications: </strong>Policy and system changes are needed to strengthen the capacity of the Italian long- term care sector to respond to the needs of a growing older population in the context of COVID-19 and beyond.</p>https://journal.ilpnetwork.org/articles/92long-term carecovid-19preparednessvulnerabilitiesolder peopleitaly
spellingShingle Maria Luisa Buzelli
Tammy Boyce
The Italian Experience in Protecting Older People During COVID-19: Lessons Learned for Long-Term Care Facilities (LTCF)
Journal of Long-Term Care
long-term care
covid-19
preparedness
vulnerabilities
older people
italy
title The Italian Experience in Protecting Older People During COVID-19: Lessons Learned for Long-Term Care Facilities (LTCF)
title_full The Italian Experience in Protecting Older People During COVID-19: Lessons Learned for Long-Term Care Facilities (LTCF)
title_fullStr The Italian Experience in Protecting Older People During COVID-19: Lessons Learned for Long-Term Care Facilities (LTCF)
title_full_unstemmed The Italian Experience in Protecting Older People During COVID-19: Lessons Learned for Long-Term Care Facilities (LTCF)
title_short The Italian Experience in Protecting Older People During COVID-19: Lessons Learned for Long-Term Care Facilities (LTCF)
title_sort italian experience in protecting older people during covid 19 lessons learned for long term care facilities ltcf
topic long-term care
covid-19
preparedness
vulnerabilities
older people
italy
url https://journal.ilpnetwork.org/articles/92
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