ABSTRACT
Covid-19 ravaged care homes in the UK. Many residents died; residents, families and staff were exposed to high levels of physical and psychological harm. People living with dementia were especially at risk. Although some causes relate to sector deficits, actions by government and public agencies tasked with managing responses to the pandemic, were slow, weak and at times actively damaging. The crisis has not only brought care home issues to the attention of the public but has highlighted how vulnerable residents and staff are in a crisis of this kind and how poorly the infrastructure of social care performs when stressed. The fragmented and privatised nature of the care home sector is a particular weakness. Whilst some short-term measures may help, it is clear that if we are to protect care homes in the future, the provision and funding of long-term care needs to be overhauled and care homes need to become part of an integrated, national health and care system.
