In Massachusetts, half of all COVID-19 deaths have occurred among nursing home residents, according to the AARP — and that’s just one of the many startling statistics about the virus’ deadly impact on this vulnerable population.

In this episode of “Life, Community, and COVID-19,” hosts John Dankosky of New England Public Radio and Brian Ellison of KCUR in Kansas City, Missouri, talk to people with personal experience at the fragile intersection of the virus and aging.

What has the crisis taught us about how we care for our seniors and about their needs? What has it taught us about the eldercare industry? Is there anything we can do to alleviate the isolation and the fear they’re experiencing?

You’ll hear from:

• Patricia McCreary, founder and owner of Margaret’s Place, a senior recreational center in Kansas City, Missouri;

• Beverly Murray, a 91-year-old who lived alone in an apartment in Excelsior Springs, Missouri, until she moved in with family because of the pandemic;

• Tamara Blue, a caretaker in Detroit, Michigan;

• Voicemails from people in Connecticut and Florida coping with the pandemic’s impact on their lives.

You can also read this Twitter thread to see what we heard on the show.

Staff: Coordinating producer Andrea Tudhope and producer John Voci.