[Long-term care facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic : Considerations on the way back to normality]. / Langzeitpflegeeinrichtungen in der COVID-19-Pandemie : Überlegungen auf dem Weg zurück in die Normalität.

Long-term care facilities (LTCF) were and are particularly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The dimensions of the outbreaks and the high mortality among residents led to massive restrictions in LTCFs, especially in the area of social contacts and activities but also in areas of medical care. With the start of vaccinations and the improved testing options, the situation has now changed and existing restrictions must be evaluated to determine whether they are still appropriate. In an interprofessional and interdisciplinary group of experts, considerations have been formulated on how a way back to normality could look like in LTCFs.

Recommendations for the management of COVID-19 pandemic in long-term care facilities.

Long-term care facilities (LTCF) and their vulnerable residents are particularly affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Estimates from various countries suggest that 3-66% of all COVID-19 deaths were residents of LTCF, of which 80% died in their facilities. Despite these significant numbers, recommendations for LTCF for the prevention and medical care of residents during the COVID-19 pandemic are still lacking. These recommendations are based on the existing literature and the expertise of the authors who are specialists in geriatric medicine. The recommendations are addressed to LTCF management, their operators, physicians working in LTCFs and also politicians, to provide the necessary framework conditions. We are confident that our recommendations will offer important help and guidance for LTCFs as well as their physicians. Adherence to these recommendations is likely to improve the outcomes and care of residents in long-term facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

[Geriatrics in times of corona]. / Geriatrie in Zeiten von Corona.

The current corona crisis affects older patients as well as the geriatric infrastructure in all sectors. This article provides an overview about the current state of knowledge on COVID-19 with special consideration of geriatric aspects and the consequences for the geriatric care system.