Low COVID-19 Mortality in Old Age Homes in Western India: An empirical study

Abstract Objective The study intended to understand the effect of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on western Indian elderly care homes. The study aimed to know the actions taken by administration of homes and challenges faced during the lockdown period. Method Total 44 care homes across three states of western India were contacted for data collection during the period of September-November 2020. Structured interview of the manager or owner of the elderly care homes were taken to gather required information to achieve the study objectives. Results Out of 44 care homes, seven care homes reported 146 case of corona virus infection and four deaths. Hence, the reported covid cases rate found to be 928 per 10,000 residents. Discussion Results of the study indicated that significant steps were taken by these old age care homes to stave off the infection spread among the inmates. It was observed that average 26% of the occupants were sent back to their home/relative’s home before the lockdown to decongest the care homes. Administrators adopted the new policies at care home and adhered the government guidelines. Care homes in western India seemed to have very low infection rate and very low number of deaths as compared to western world.