They are considered at risk of developing further medical complications if infected with the novel coronavirus. These circumstances have put retirement homes and care centres around the world in the spotlight.
Patients in critical condition are in need of artificial respiration, which can last up to six weeks. Following, an extended rehabilitation process needs to be undertaken to rebuild lung capacities. This is neither a comfortable task nor an easily achieved goal for older citizens.
Large parts of the population do not concern themselves with public debates surrounding death on a regular basis. However, this is different in retirement centres, especially since the beginning of the current health crisis. Nicole Weis-Liefgen, director of Omega 90, further elaborates:
"Luckily, here in Luxembourg it has not yet gotten to a point where we are running out of beds and equipment to care for those in need. Nonetheless, there is a number of people who do not want to be hospitalised, which is understandable and needs to be respected."
Consensus needs to be found between medical practitioners and patients. Patient provision has to be considered a solution in critical cases.
