PROTECTING RETIREES FROM COVID-19

Many people living in retirement communities and independent-living facilities are at higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19 because they:

• Are older adults and/or have serious chronic medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, or lung disease.

For essential group activities that cannot be cancelled, implementing the following social-distancing measures can help:

• Alter schedules to reduce mixing (e.g., stagger meals, activities, arrival/ departure times).

• Limit programmes with external staff.

• Limit the number of attendees at a given time to fewer than 10 people, and ask participants to maintain a distance of at least six feet from one another.

• Place chairs and tables at least six feet apart during communal dining or similar events.

• Cancelling social interaction may increase risk of adverse mental-health outcomes.

• Clean and disinfect all common spaces and shared facilities daily. Give special attention to high-touch surfaces, including, but not limited to, door handles, faucets, toilet handles, light switches, elevator buttons, handrails, countertops, chairs, tables, remote controls, shared electronic equipment, and shared exercise equipment.

• Ensure that staff follow the manufacturer’s instructions for all cleaning and disinfection products (e.g., concentration, application method and contact time, necessary personal protective equipment, etc.).