Projects
Assessing Connecticut’s Preparedness and Response to COVID-19 in Long Term Care Facilities
2020
Project Overview
Objective
The goals of the assessment were to understand the impact of COVID-19 in Connecticut long-term care facilities and develop short-term and long-term recommendations to prevent future infectious disease outbreaks in LTC facilities.
Project Motivation
COVID-19 has had a disproportionate impact on residents of long-term care facilities, with cumulative deaths among long-term care residents representing nearly three quarters of all COVID-19 related deaths in Connecticut as of July 30, 2020. In response, Connecticut hired Mathematica to conduct an independent assessment of the impact of COVID-19 on the state’s nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
Partners in Progress
UConn Health Center on Aging
Prepared For
Connecticut Department of Public Health
Residents of long-term care facilities are at greater risk of infection and death from complications from COVID-19 compared to older adults living in the community.
Mathematica and its partner at UConn Health Center on Aging assessed the COVID-19 outbreak in Connecticut long-term care facilities compared to other states in the region and the country as a whole, and identified the facility- and resident-level characteristics that predict the severity of COVID-19 outbreaks within nursing homes. Additionally, Mathematica assessed the state and long-term care industry’s preparedness for and response to an infectious disease outbreak like COVID-19. Finally, Mathematica put forth a set of 45 recommendations for the state and industry to consider in the short-term and long-term to mitigate subsequent waves of COVID-19 and prevent future infectious disease outbreaks in long-term care facilities. The final report relies on data collected and analyzed from July 13 to September 15, 2020 which includes publicly reported information, data and documentation provided by the state, and interviews with key stakeholders.
Podcast
Findings from Connecticut Can Inform Long-Term Care Policies Across the U.S.
Guests Patricia Rowan and Debra Lipson of Mathematica discuss their independent assessment of COVID-19’s impact on nursing homes and assisted living facilities in Connecticut.
Evidence & Insights From This Project
Publication
A Study of the COVID-19 Outbreak and Response in Connecticut Long-Term Care Facilities: Final Report
This report details Mathematica’s assessment of the COVID-19 outbreak in Connecticut long-term care facilities, as well as a set of short-term and long-term recommendations to help Connecticut and long-term care facilities prepare for a potential second wave of COVID-19 and prevent future infectious disease outbreaks.
Learn MoreRelated Staff
More like this from Mathematica
See Clearly. Act Quickly.
From local to global challenges in health, human services, and international development, we’re here to improve public well-being and make progress together. Learn more about becoming a Mathematica client or partner.
Work With Us