Six-week wait for wage subsidy may be too long for some businesses and their employees caught in coronavirus crisis
By Barbara Shecter
NIA co-Chair, Mitch Frazer, on Government response to COVID-19 economic turmoil. “This is an unprecedented economic event,” Frazer said. “Noting that 44 per cent of Canadians reported two weeks ago that they had at least one family member out of work.”
Limit the number of nursing and retirement homes staff can work in, RNAO urges
By Shawn Jeffords -The Canadian Press
NIA Director of Health Policy Research, Dr. Samir Sinha said staff who work across multiple homes become "vectors of transmission" into different homes.
"Systemic vulnerabilities have always made the long-term care sector vulnerable, but particularly vulnerable during a pandemic," he said.
Limit the number of nursing and retirement homes staff can work in, RNAO urges
By Shawn Jeffords
NIA Director of Health Policy Research, “Dr. Samir Sinha, said staff who work across multiple homes become “vectors of transmission” into different homes. Systemic vulnerabilities have always made the long-term care sector vulnerable, but particularly vulnerable during a pandemic.”
Are there legal issues for pension funds making charitable donations right now?
By Yaelle Gang
Canadian pension plans are an important part of Canada’s economic landscape. Many want to help with COVID-19 efforts, but it may not be as easy as donating money. NIA co-Chair, Mitch Frazer, weighs in on how plans can play a role within legal and other boundaries.
Coronavirus: Supporting seniors hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic
By Caryn Liberman
NIA Director of Health Policy Research, Dr. Samir Sinha spoke to Global News and said, “What we’re seeing with the older population, in your 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, your death rate goes from three to eight to 15 to 24 per cent and in fact people in nursing homes if they get it, they’re reporting death rates of 33 per cent.
He said older adults are more vulnerable to serious complications from the virus because of their weakened immune systems.
“Are they scared? Absolutely. Are they more isolated from everybody else in society right now? Absolutely because we’re telling them to do that and we’re not allowing them the interactions with the grandkids.”
Debt, banks, and the price of gasoline – we answer your questions about the economics of COVID-19
Pension expert Keith Ambachtsheer told The Cost of Living executive producer Tracy Johnson that while markets are volatile right now, that will eventually end. "It isn't going to be next month, but hopefully it is next year … if that actually happens, the prices will come back. That 20 per cent that's lost, it'll come back," said Ambachtsheer. According to Ambachtsheer, money flooding into the economy from the Bank of Canada and the U.S. Federal Reserve will need somewhere to go. That could mean it goes into the stock market, which could buoy pension investments. "A good stock, with a dividend yield … that looks pretty good to me longer term," said Ambachtsheer, who is predicting the current volatility will be about a one year phenomenon.
Ontario Today with Rita Celli - What is happening in Ontario’s long-term care homes?
Dr. Samir Sinha joined Rita Celli on Ontario today and offered advice to families and workers about COVID-19 in long-term care. The discussion included removing loved ones from care, increasing testing, safety on the job, staffing challenges, and how to stay positive.
What to know before removing loved ones from nursing homes amid COVID-19
By Hannah Jackson
“The first question to ask is, what’s changed?” said Dr. Samir Sinha. “How have her needs, for example, evolved? What are special considerations that you may not be aware of or you now need to be aware of? And then how would you accommodate those needs?” Sinha said every circumstance will be different. “What we’re trying to say right now is we just want to help families, make sure that they’re making the right decisions that are right for them and their loved ones. And we want to support them whatever decision they want to make,” he said.
Do these 4 things for your parents during the Coronavirus outbreak
By Courtney Jepersen
Americans everywhere are concerned about the coronavirus and COVID-19, the respiratory disease it causes. But COVID-19 has demonstrated that it’s particularly serious for older adults whose immune systems naturally weaken as they age ” and especially for those with chronic medical conditions, according to Dr. Samir Sinha.
‘We’ve already lost a number of battles’: Geriatrician on COVID-19
Host: Rosemary Barton
“This is not a drill. I wept last night. I’m working double hours. We know what’s coming. This is all Math. We know that not everybody has been doing the physical distancing that the Prime Minister and our health officials have been asking us to do. Some people have been taking this lightly – please don’t. I’m working these long hours, all my colleagues are working these long hours. We know we could die in caring for you. We know that this is not going to be easy. We are here and we are ready. But don’t disappoint us. We all need to do our part. Please take this seriously,” said Samir Sinha. “Look after each other and don’t forget older people out there who are scared, who are isolate, who because of this physical distancing can’t see their loved ones. If you have an older person in your neighborhood – look out for them. If you’ve got a senior in your life, reach out- don’t touch them – but reach out and look out for them too.“
‘Never felt this level of stress’: Geriatric doctor on the virus’ spread, treating COVID-19
By Alexandra Mae Jones
A Toronto hospital doctor who specializes in treating the elderly says that the rising death toll in an Ontario long-term care facility exposes how COVID-19 can “spread like wildfire,” in these facilities. Pinecrest Nursing Home, a facility in Bobcaygeon, Ont., has become a hotbed of COVID-19, with the death toll climbing to 23 as of Sunday evening.
24 deaths tied to Ontario nursing home
Dr. Sinha joins CTV News to talk about the devastating consequences of COVID-19 in long-term care homes and how the pandemic has been affecting him and other health-care workers.
Fresh Air with Nana aba Duncan
NIA Director of Health Policy Research, Dr. Samir Sinha joins the show to talk about COVID-19 related deaths in long-term care.
Canada’s nursing homes worry coronavirus outbreak will mean residents ‘dying alone’
By Olivia Bowden
Widespread testing required to prevent outbreaks: “Long-term care homes are like tinderboxes for COVID-19 outbreaks, as they are similar to cruise ships in terms of residents being older and in close quarters,” said Dr. Samir Sinha. “There are over 400,000 Canadians who are living in seniors’ residences or nursing homes according to the last census.”
How to help seniors get through the COVID-19 pandemic
By Nicole Ireland
“Finding ‘creative’ ways to stay in touch is critical to helping seniors get through this period, Sinha said. Telephone calls are great, but he also recommends maintaining a face-to-face connection with seniors through Skype, FaceTime or other video chat platforms, if possible. Some family members are going low-tech and standing outside their elderly loved one's window, holding up supportive signs and waving. It's also important to remember than many seniors don't have family members checking in on them — so small gestures by neighbours go a long way.”
Families face tough call over removing loved ones from long-term care
By Kelly Grant & Wendy Stueck
Removing a loved one from long-term care is not easy, said Samir Sinha. Some families may have the capacity to care for elderly parents and grandparents while they work from home during the pandemic, but not when they return to the office. Others may not have a choice because the medical needs of their relatives can’t be managed at home.
Long –term care homes hit hard
Dr. Samir Sinha joins CTV News Channel and answers the question. “How do we get ahead of COVID-19 in LTC? “
1. Make sure every healthcare worker is wearing a mask.
2. Test everyone because we know up to 50 per cent of people might be asymptomatic.
By doing this – we will save lives and limit the spread.
If you can get your relatives out of seniors’ homes, try to do so as fast as you can
By Andre Picard
“If my mom was in long-term care, I would pull her out. Now.”
Dr. Samir Sinha, Canada’s foremost geriatrics expert, is blunt. The rapid spread of coronavirus in seniors’ residences is “very, very bad news” and, unless the response changes dramatically, families should seriously consider bringing their loved ones to relative safety.
Why nursing homes are so vulnerable to COVID-19 catastrophe
By Nathan Stall and Samir Sinha
Bobcaygeon’s Pinecrest Nursing Home has suffered a catastrophic outbreak of coronavirus that has killed 14 residents and one visiting spouse, with at least 24 staff members infected. It’s a tragedy workers at the home have likened to a “war zone.” Sadly, it’s not likely over yet, nor is this a unique case. The first major Canadian outbreak occurred in the Lynn Valley Care Centre in North Vancouver, and since then it has emerged in more than 600 care homes in Canada, and in more than 400 in the United States.
White Coat Black Art: The Dose with Dr. Brian Goldman
COVID-19 is hitting seniors hard across Canada. Several long-term care homes have suffered deadly outbreaks, including a nursing home in a small Ontario town that lost more than a dozen seniors in just a few days. Whether they live in long-term care facilities or in their own homes, COVID-19 threatens not only the lives of older Canadians, but also their emotional health as they face crushing isolation, unable to see their loved ones. NIA Director of Health Policy Research, Dr. Samir Sinha joins host Dr. Brian Goldman to give us all a dose of advice on how to help seniors get through this pandemic.
