To help older adults reduce their risk of contracting COVID-19, a team of researchers at the University of Waterloo have led the creation of a self-reporting system that can be used both in long-term care and home settings.
Typically, clinical assessments and care planning for older adults rely on in-person interactions between patients and clinicians. However, physical distancing during the pandemic has meant that these assessments are being postponed to minimize risk.
The team developed a simple to use COVID-19 Vulnerability Screen that enables remote screening of immediate health risks and vulnerabilities among older adults. The tool uses advanced analytics from assessment records though interRAI, a system connecting researchers from over 35 countries.
To date, communities in Canada and South Africa are using the tools, while global partners have plans to launch in their countries. Waterloo researchers are now working with a partner in Finland, and has collaborators in Canada, Finland, Norway, Netherlands, Belgium, South Africa and Singapore.
To learn more, visit the University of Waterloo.
