Brazilian National Front for Strengthening Long-Term Care Facilities for Older People: history and activities

Abstract

In April 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic became a severe threat to long-term care facility patients worldwide. A national front was urgently organized to integrate regional oversight and workgroups, coordinate activities, and develop educational materials, meetings, and communication strategies with these institutions. As of August 2021, the front’s initiatives have demonstrated its relevance for helping long-term care facilities cope with the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as for the ongoing struggle to include this issue in the public agenda, given that these facilities are an indispensable link in the development of a national policy for continuing care. This paper describes the history and initiatives of the National Front for Strengthening Long-Term Care Facilities regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as its successful volunteer initiatives regarding the care of institutionalized older adults.