National Seniors Strategy 2020 Report

Older Canadians are more likely to die from COVID-19. Their advanced ages, higher likelihood of living with multiple chronic conditions, including dementia, and weaker immune systems all contribute to their greater risk of death. 

The term ‘Iron Ring’ recently became popularized in Ontario to indicate the collective actions that the province would take to protect residents of long-term care and retirement homes. Through the leadership of Dr. Samir Sinha, the NIA’s Director of Health Policy Research, the NIA has been keeping abreast of rapidly emerging international evidence on how best to prevent and manage the introduction and spread of COVID-19 amongst both residents and care providers in these settings. This has positioned the NIA to quickly provide governments, long-term care providers, and the public the evidence-based recommendations that can be quickly and effectively implemented to better inform policies and strategies to address COVID-19. The NIA’s overall “Iron Ring” guidance will be continually updated as the evidence-base around COVID-19 evolves to further inform expert interpretations. We will also continually provide updates on how Canada’s provincial, territorial and federal governments remain aligned with the NIA’s recommended best practices.