The Elderly Care Response to COVID-19 : A Review of International Measures to Protect the Elderly Living in Residential Facilities and Implications for Malaysia
This note presents an international picture of measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic specifically for the elderly living residential facilities as a particularly vulnerable setting. For this purpose, the note reviews information available f...
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| Format: | Policy Note |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
World Bank, Washington, DC
2020
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| Online Access: | http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/770271591601451349/The-Elderly-Care-Response-to-Covid-19-A-Review-of-International-Measures-to-Protect-the-Elderly-Living-in-Residential-Facilities-and-Implications-for-Malaysia http://hdl.handle.net/10986/33861 |
| Summary: | This note presents an international
picture of measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic
specifically for the elderly living residential facilities
as a particularly vulnerable setting. For this purpose, the
note reviews information available from selected economies
and international organizations and NGOs that have
introduced guidance or actionable measures. The note argues
that significant and proactive efforts in the areas of
prevention, control, resources, coordination, management,
reporting, communication, and planning are needed to
safeguard the elderly living residential facilities
(long-term care homes, residential care homes, nursing
homes, welfare homes, etc.) in response to the spread of
COVID-19. While many measures that have been introduced
internationally are of wide relevance, the note also pays
specific attention to implications for Malaysia. This may
include the following areas for policy consideration: (a)
strengthening the linkage between the elderly care response
and the overall response; (b) issuing clear guidelines and
operating procedures for all residential facilities; (c)
mobilizing resources for prevention and control; (d)
implementing consistent measures with government support for
both licensed and unlicensed residential facilities; (e)
strengthening coordination between the social sector and the
health sector and between residential facilities, health
agencies and hospitals; and (f) building capacities. |
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