High death rate of older persons from COVID-19 in Quebec (Canada) long-term care facilities: chronology and analysis

Purpose Among the ten Canadian provinces, Quebec has experienced the most significant excess mortality of older persons during COVID-19. This practice paper aims to present the chronology of events leading to this excess mortality in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) and a comprehensive analysis of...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inThe journal of adult protection Vol. 23; no. 2; pp. 110 - 115
Main Authors Beaulieu, Marie, Cadieux Genesse, Julien, St-Martin, Kevin
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Brighton Emerald Publishing Limited 24.05.2021
Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Subjects
Adults
Armed forces
Coronaviruses
COVID-19
Employees
Hospitals
Human resources
Human resources management
Living conditions
Long term health care
Long term hospitals
Long-term care
Military
Military personnel
Mortality
Mortality rates
Older people
Pandemics
Protection
Public health
Quality of life
Social services
Society
Workforce
Canada
Quebec Canada
COVID-19
Dignity
Organisational mistreatment
Long-term care facilities
Neglect
Political response
Health-care organisation
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Summary:Purpose Among the ten Canadian provinces, Quebec has experienced the most significant excess mortality of older persons during COVID-19. This practice paper aims to present the chronology of events leading to this excess mortality in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) and a comprehensive analysis of the phenomenon. Design/methodology/approach Documented content from three official sources: daily briefings by the Quebec Premier, a report from the Canadian Armed Forces and a report produced by Royal Society of Canada experts were analysed. Findings Two findings emerge: the lack of preparation in LTCFs and a critical shortage of staff. Indeed, the massive transfer of older persons from hospitals to LTCFs, combined with human resources management and a critical shortage of permanent staff before and during the crisis, generates unhealthy living conditions in LTCFs. Originality/value To our knowledge, this paper is the first to analyse official Quebec and Canadian statements concerning COVID-19 from the angle of quality of life and protection of older adults in LTCFs.
ISSN:1466-8203
2042-8669
DOI:10.1108/JAP-08-2020-0033