 It Was Like Wartime: End-Of-Life and Bereavement in Long-Term Care Homes and Assisted Living Facilities During the COVID-19 Pandemic 
The COVID‐19 pandemic has been particularly deadly for older people living in long-term care homes (LTC) and assisted living facilities (ALF) in Quebec. Consequently, many managers and front-line staff witnessed numerous resident deaths. Yet their experiences with end-of-life care and grief remain relatively unexplored. This qualitative study captures the experiences of three managers and four front-line staff working in LTCs or ALFs during the pandemic. Its findings illuminate the emotional challenges brought on by the pandemic due to changed end-of-life and bereavement practices. For some, the metaphor of war closely resembled their experiences. While feelings of helplessness and confusion were expressed, so too were experiences of cooperation and teamwork. Suggestions for practices to support staff and residents at the end of life and following death are explored.