An interdisciplinary team of aging researchers at the University of Washington released a new report, “Caring for Washington’s older adults in the COVID-19 pandemic: Interviews with organization leaders about the state of social and healthcare services.”

Drawing on interviews with 45 senior leaders of social services and health care organizations serving older adults, this report identifies current challenges confronting service delivery and client care, as well as those that will persist to shape future strategy and planning. Organization senior leaders are most concerned about people living with dementia, those with low-incomes, those who are living alone or unhoused, Latinx immigrant and migrant older adults, people with limited English proficiency, and tribal elders. Several key findings and themes emerge relevant to policy and practice. Themes discussed include:

-intensified social isolation and the digital divide

-creative and promising adaptations

-observed negative health impacts

-staffing reductions and shortages

-urgent fiscal shortfalls and organizational needs

Read the press release

Public report: Berridge, C., Parsey, C.M., Ramirez, M., Freitag, C., Johnson, I.M., Allard, S.W. (October, 12, 2020). Caring for Washington’s older adults in the COVID-19 pandemic: Interviews with organization leaders about the state of social and healthcare services.