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Sarah Downey, president and CEO of Michael ¾ÅÓÎÌåÓý (MGH) asked Dr. Jarred Rosenberg, geriatrician, five questions about the critical need for support in long term care homes across Toronto and Ontario during COVID-19.

You have questions and Michael ¾ÅÓÎÌåÓý (MGH) has answers.

In MGH’s second community edition of �5 Questions with President and CEO Sarah Downey� video series, Sarah interviews Dr. Jarred Rosenberg, geriatrician, about the impacts of COVID-19 on residents living in long-term care (LTC) settings.

has worked diligently with peers from MGH and the to assist residents and staff in long-term care and retirement homes during COVID-19. 

Watch the video to find out the answers to the following 5 questions:

1. What are the biggest challenges facing long-term care homes in this pandemic and what makes these facilities and seniors� populations particularly vulnerable to COVID-19? (1:41)
   Key points: Seniors are a vulnerable population but those in congregate environments, such as long-term care homes, are at an even higher risk of catching an illness. Long-term care homes are also not staffed in the same way hospitals are, presenting another challenge.
    
2. What expertise do hospitals have to offer long term care homes? (4:12)
   Key points: Hospitals have expertise that can span across several areas including infection prevention and control, infectious disease, palliative care and more. Hospitals and care providers can offer interdisciplinary partnerships to help LTC staff during COVID-19.
    
3. Can you describe how MGH is supporting long-term care homes during this pandemic in partnership with East Toronto Family Practice Network? (5:34)
   Key points: MGH is working with EasT-FPN and its community physicians to offer outreach and assistance in areas such as rapid COVID-19 testing, consultation, specialty care expertise, access to diagnostic imaging without having to go to an emergency department and more.
    
4. For long term care residents who do have COVID-19, where is the best place for them to be cared for? (7:44)
   Key points: It’s important to remember that for many seniors, the long-term care residence itself is their home. While it’s a hard question to answer, we are able to provide information to residents, their families and care providers to help them understand their options and what the right answer is for an individual based on their values and wishes.  
    
5. How can we collectively help flatten the curve in long term care homes? (10:12)
   Key points: A lot of what we do to ‘flatten the curve� impacts our vulnerable populations. Long-term care homes need staff. Reaching out to a local Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) to advocate for seniors and the people who care for them can really help, as sometimes residents are not able to advocate for themselves.

Thanks for tuning in! Visit  for information about COVID-19 at Michael ¾ÅÓÎÌåÓý.

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