Despite the increasing awareness of long-term care (LTC) research after the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, little attention was given to quantitatively describe the evolution of the research field during this period. A total of 1024 articles retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection database were systematically analyzed using CiteSpace visualization software. The overall characteristics analysis showed that, in the context of the pandemic, attention to LTC research increased significantly—over 800 articles were published in the past two years. The USA, Canada, Italy, and England formed the leading LTC research group, which was consistent with the conclusions of existing bibliometric studies on LTC research before the outbreak. A rigorous analysis based on a dual perspective of references and keywords was applied to reveal that, compared with previous studies, in the context of the pandemic, the focus shifted from the mental and physical health status of older adults in need of LTC to the impact of the pandemic on those of older adults in LTC facilities, from the prevention of general epidemics to the prevention and response of significant public health emergencies, from providing and paying for LTC to strategies for LTC facilities to improve the quality of LTC and well-being of their residents during the pandemic. These findings can provide help and reference for academics, civil folks, and LTC practitioners, as well as help with the sustainable development of LTC research in the context of COVID-19 pandemic.

Resource-based regions face particular challenges in achieving sustainable land-use transformation due to their entrenched development patterns. Through an integrated approach (super-efficiency SBM, Global Moran’s I, synergistic modeling, and SNA), this study analyzes Shanxi Province’s land-use efficiency dynamics (2015–2021), revealing (1) an N-shaped efficiency trajectory with core-periphery polarization stable high-efficiency clusters (Taiyuan/Yangquan/Luliang, mean > 1.1) versus fragmented northern mining zones and stagnant southern regions; (2) deficient spatial coordination (Moran’s I < 0) and failed capital-city spillovers, with only 2/10 cities achieving positive synergy; and (3) network instability (density = 0.14–0.29) featuring paradoxical power shifts in the emerging mining hub Shuozhou (degree = 100) outperforming traditional cores. Based on these findings, this study proposes policy recommendations from the perspective of regional policymakers, focusing on establishing provincial-level land resource utilization planning, promoting coordination among cities in terms of land resource utilization at the municipal level, and improving land resource utilization efficiency through environmental regulations. This study offers a new perspective on regional coordination for sustainable development in resource-based regions by conducting research at the provincial level, advancing policy suggestions at the meso-policy level for the green transformation of resource-based cities, and providing theoretical support for promoting the intensive and efficient utilization of land across cities in specific regions.