America’s greatest generation deserves our support.
The health and safety of our seniors should be our top priority.
Caregivers in nursing homes and assisted living communities are courageously fighting to protect their residents from COVID-19 – but without proper government support, our nation’s greatest generation and those most vulnerable remain at risk.
In this unprecedented time, everyone must rally around long term care residents and staff. We need proactive policies that provide adequate testing, personal protective equipment (PPE), staff support and funding to help nursing homes and assisted living communities battle the pandemic and prepare for the future.
Covid 19 Impact Timeline
In a CNN interview, AHCA/NCAL President and CEO Mark Parkinson called on the Centers for Disease Control to provide adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) and testing for long term care communities in response to COVID-19, which he called “a perfect killing machine.”
More than a month after AHCA/NCAL’s initial call for increased testing, Mark Parkinson was quoted by the Associated Press on testing needs.
“The country was so focused on making sure that hospitals were fully equipped and ready for a surge of admissions, we were really left behind.”
Mark Parkinson
AHCA/NCAL published the results of a new survey that showed growing support among voters for increased funding to nursing homes and assisted living communities as they battled COVID-19. 72% of voters agreed that a lack of government funding had a negative impact on the quality of care that residents of these facilities are receiving.
AHCA/NCAL sent a letter to HHS and FEMA, requesting support and funding for assisted living providers who primarily care for seniors, but have not received any federal aid.
“The price of inaction would be devastating – to our residents, to their loved ones, and to those who work in assisted living communities who see their residents as family members.”
Mark Parkinson and Scott Tittle
AHCA/NCAL called on Congress to provide funding to nursing homes and assisted living communities for testing, PPE and staffing support. Additionally, AHCA/NCAL called for long term care communities to be prioritized for vaccine distribution.
