Safety vs Autonomy During a Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic took our nation by surprise. The goal quickly became the protection of older adults and those with co-morbidities. There was a tension between safety and autonomy in long-term care facilities prior to this pandemic. This tension has escalated as COVID-19 mitigation has impacted standards like “Resident Rights.” This presentation will explore the balancing of the physical and mental health of our residents with their safety. 

Objectives:  

The participants will be able to:  

  1. Recall the risk of a COVID-19 infection for an older adult with comorbidities 
  1. Identify at least two “Resident Rights” that have been compromised during this pandemic 
  1. Recall at least two risk factors for the isolation of residents from each other and their families