For sure.
There has been a lot of press about long-term care facilities and our aging population, but many people don't realize how many people with disabilities live in those settings because they don't have appropriate and accessible housing within the community to live independently or with friends or whatever. The disability population is being impacted equally with our aging population. Those who are in those settings are experiencing isolation during the lockdowns that have occurred.
We do know, not necessarily coming out of Canada but from other countries, that people with certain disabilities seem to have higher death rates if they contract COVID-19. People with developmental disabilities seem to be passing away at higher numbers, which is shocking to me personally. I really worry about my friends and colleagues.
We also know that the inability to have family members or other support workers come in is a critical issue that's impacting those who live in these group homes or long-term care settings.