Federal, state, and local policy makers must recognize that publicly subsidized senior housing communities are hotspots for COVID-19 infection and spread.
Older adults living in thousands of publicly subsidized senior housing communities are facing triple jeopardy during the coronavirus pandemic, suggests a new blog published by Health Affairs. They are older, have low incomes, and experience health disparities.
These residents are also likely to have multiple chronic conditions, including many of the illnesses that put them at elevated risk for severe complications from COVID-19, write Robyn Stone, Alisha Sanders, and Geralyn Magan of the LeadingAge LTSS Center @UMass Boston.
Housing communities face several challenges in their efforts to shield residents from the coronavirus, write the authors. For example, housing staff are limited in their ability to manage the actions of residents who live in private apartments and can come and go at will. Congregate settings require that residents use common areas like elevators where the virus could spread. Only half of Section 202 housing communities have resident service coordinators who can help residents monitor COVID-19 symptoms and connect with health care providers. Lack of internet service restricts residents’ access to COVID-19 information and services, including telehealth.
“Federal, state, and local policy makers must recognize that publicly subsidized senior housing communities are hotspots for COVID-19 infection and spread,” write the authors. “These policy makers must then use a multipronged approach to mitigate outbreaks.” They recommend that public health departments:
- Work with federal, state, and local housing agencies to identify housing communities that are COVID-19 hotspots, and then facilitate comprehensive testing and contact tracing when positive cases are confirmed.
- Communicate with housing communities when a positive COVID-19 case is identified, and help those communities implement an appropriate response.
- Join with other emergency preparedness professionals in offering housing communities assistance with sanitizing, infection control, and access to protective equipment when it is needed.
Finally, federal, state, and local entities should facilitate broadband access to help minimize social isolation and loneliness among residents who are social distancing.
“There will be many lessons to learn from this disaster,” the authors conclude. “We hope those lessons will help point the way toward future partnerships and action to ensure that all older adults can age successfully in their communities long after this pandemic is a distant memory. “