Death, Devastation, and Failure in Long-Term Care: The Need for a Geographical Reengagement with the Sector

Early and ongoing indications are that, across many countries, of all COVID-19 cases and deaths, those occurring in long-term care environments among older people are disproportionately high. This chapter examines the nature of this current humanitarian crisis, the factors involved in this dire situation, and the implications for future regulation, policy, and geographical scholarship related to the sector. We argue that the current crisis provides compelling reason and necessity for geographers to rejuvenate LTC as a field of study. With this in mind, we highlight some key avenues for inquiry.