Psychology Department

New publication by Dr. Carol Weisse examining comfort care homes during COVID-19

Publication Date

Comfort Care Homes: Pressures and Protocols in End-of-Life Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Carol Weisse, Ronald M Obenzinger Professor of Psychology and Director of Health Professions co-authored a paper published in the Journal of Social Work in End-of-Life and Palliative Care with Kelly Melekis, Associate Professor/Chair the Social Work Department at Skidmore College.

Comfort care homes are community-run, residential homes that provide end-of-life care to terminally ill individuals who lack safe, secure housing and a reliable caregiver system. As nonprofit, non-medical facilities, these homes have faced both new and magnified challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This article highlights the value of collaborative interagency partnerships and shares reflections on the unique pandemic pressures faced by comfort care homes. Innovative ideas for improving community-based end-of-life care and implications for social work practice are included.