Challenges Facing Canadian Long-Term Care Homes and Retirement Homes During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Authors

  • Christine Fahim St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto
  • Ayaat T. Hassan St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto
  • Keelia Quinn de Launay St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto
  • Alyson Takaoka St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto
  • Elikem Togo St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto
  • Lisa Strifler St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto
  • Vanessa Bach St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto
  • Nimitha Paul St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto
  • Ana Mrazovac St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto
  • Jessica Firman St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto
  • Vincenza Gruppuso St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto
  • Jamie M. Boyd St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto
  • Sharon E. Straus St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5770/cgj.28.854

Keywords:

COVID-19, long-term care, retirement homes, infection prevention, vaccine uptake, staff well-being

Abstract

Background

COVID-19 exposed long-standing systemic challenges experienced by congregate settings and created a crisis for long-term care homes (LTCHs) and retirement homes (RHs). This study explored the pandemic-related challenges LTCHs and RHs faced and the strategies they used to mitigate them.

Method

Ninety-one key informant interviews were held with LTCH and RH leadership across 47 homes (33 LTCHs, 14 RHs) in Ontario, Canada from February 2021 to July 2022. Data were analyzed following the framework method.

Results

Findings confirmed evidence of three main challenges. First, leaders were challenged to implement infection prevention and control (IPAC) protocols and measures. Second, leaders required supports to facilitate COVID-19 vaccine access and to promote vaccine acceptance. Finally, LTCH/RH staff experienced well-being and mental health challenges in the face of COVID-19 pressures. Despite widespread attention and efforts to support these congregate settings, challenges persisted over one year into the pandemic.

Conclusions

Our findings reveal a plethora of strategies implemented by homes, with ranging reports of perceived success.

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Published

2025-12-03

How to Cite

1.
Christine Fahim, T. Hassan A, Quinn de Launay K, Takaoka A, Togo E, Strifler L, Bach V, Paul N, Mrazovac A, Firman J, Gruppuso V, M. Boyd J, Sharon E. Straus. Challenges Facing Canadian Long-Term Care Homes and Retirement Homes During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Can Geriatr J [Internet]. 2025 Dec. 3 [cited 2026 Apr. 25];28(4):359-73. Available from: https://cgjonline.ca/index.php/cgj/article/view/854

Issue

Vol. 28 No. 4 (2025)

Section

Original Research

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Author(s)

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Authors contributing to the Candian Geriatrics Journal retain copyright of their work, with exclusive publication rights granted to the Canadian Geriatrics Society upon article acceptance. Read the journal's full copyright and open access policy.