| Report: Nursing Home Cases Through February 7, 2021 | https://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Fact-Sheets/FactSheets/Report-Nursing-Homes-Cases-Feb7-2021.pdf | Report: Nursing Home Cases Through February 7, 2021 | | | | | 3/2/2021 5:00:00 AM | | | With vaccine rollout, nursing homes have seen a dramatic decline in new COVID cases and deaths. | |
| Nursing Homes See 82 Percent Decline In COVID Cases Indicating The Vaccines Are Working | https://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Press-Releases/Pages/Nursing-Homes-See-82-Percent-Decline-In-COVID-Cases-Indicating-The-Vaccines-Are-Working.aspx | Nursing Homes See 82 Percent Decline In COVID Cases Indicating The Vaccines Are Working | | | | | 3/2/2021 5:00:00 AM | | <p><br></p><div><strong>WASHINGTON, D.C.</strong> – The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), representing more than 14,000 nursing homes and long term care facilities across the country that provide care to approximately five million people each year, released a <a href="/News-and-Communications/Fact-Sheets/FactSheets/Report-Nursing-Homes-Cases-Feb7-2021.pdf" target="_blank">report</a> today showing nursing homes in the U.S. have seen the lowest number of new COVID cases since the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) started tracking back in May 2020, suggesting that the vaccines are working.</div><div><br></div><div>Recent CMS data shows that nursing homes have seen an 82 percent decline in new COVID cases among residents since the peak during the week of December 20 of last year when there were more than 30,000 new resident cases. In the same period of time, community cases in the general population dropped by 46 percent, showcasing that vaccines are having an impact in protecting the elderly population in nursing homes.</div><div><br><img src="/News-and-Communications/Press-Releases/PublishingImages/Pages/Nursing-Homes-See-82-Percent-Decline-In-COVID-Cases-Indicating-The-Vaccines-Are-Working/pr1.jpg" alt="pr1.jpg" style="margin:5px;" /><br><br><span style="font-size:11pt;">“We still have a long road ahead, but these numbers are incredibly encouraging and a major morale booster for frontline caregivers who have been working tirelessly every day for a year to protect our residents,” said Mark Parkinson, president and CEO of AHCA/NCAL. “This new data showcases just how important it is for nursing homes residents and staff, as well as the general public, to get the vaccine because it is clearly working.”</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The report also shows cases have dropped to the lowest level since CMS started tracking weekly COVID cases in nursing homes last May.</div><div><br><img src="/News-and-Communications/Press-Releases/PublishingImages/Pages/Nursing-Homes-See-82-Percent-Decline-In-COVID-Cases-Indicating-The-Vaccines-Are-Working/pr2.jpg" alt="pr2.jpg" style="margin:5px;" /><br><br></div><p>Along with the lowest number of new COVID cases, new data also shows COVID related deaths in nursing homes declined by 63 percent since December 20, 2020.<br><br><img src="/News-and-Communications/Press-Releases/PublishingImages/Pages/Nursing-Homes-See-82-Percent-Decline-In-COVID-Cases-Indicating-The-Vaccines-Are-Working/pr3.jpg" alt="pr3.jpg" style="margin:5px;" /><br></p><div>“Though this report brings hope, we cannot let our guard down. We must continue to encourage folks to get vaccinated, especially caregivers and staff,” added Parkinson. “Public health officials must also continue to ensure that long term care residents and staff remain the highest priority for accessing the vaccine, as the on-site clinics with CVS, Walgreens and other pharmacy partners are coming to a close.</div><div><br></div><div>“Most importantly, we call on the Administration to review its current guidance to nursing homes on restricting visitors and group activities,” concluded Parkinson. “With millions of residents and caregivers now fully protected thanks to the vaccines, residents must be able to safely reengage in meaningful activities and be reunited with their loved ones.”</div><div><br></div><div>In December, AHCA/NCAL launched <a href="/News-and-Communications/Pages/GetVaccinated.aspx" target="_blank">#GetVaccinated</a>, a nationwide campaign that aimed at encouraging all long term care residents, families and staff members to consent to the vaccine as well as provide credible information to help inform their decision. Last week, AHCA/NCAL also <a href="/News-and-Communications/Press-Releases/Pages/Nursing-Homes-Set-Goal-To-Get-75-Percent-Of-Staff-Vaccinated-By-June-30.aspx" target="_blank">announced</a> the nationwide goal of getting 75 percent of all long term staff vaccinated by June 30, 2021.<br></div><div><br></div><div><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D29-_T4iSU0&feature=youtu.be" target="_blank">Watch the press conference with Mark Parkinson and Dr. David Gifford</a>.<br></div><div><br></div><div><strong>ABOUT AHCA/NCAL</strong></div><div>The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) represents more than 14,000 non-profit and proprietary skilled nursing centers, assisted living communities, sub-acute centers and homes for individuals with intellectual and development disabilities. By delivering solutions for quality care, AHCA/NCAL aims to improve the lives of the millions of frail, elderly and individuals with disabilities who receive long term or post-acute care in our member facilities each day. For more information, please visit <a href="/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">www.ahcancal.org</a>.<br><br><br></div> | AHCA/NCAL released a report today showing nursing homes in the U.S. have seen the lowest number of new COVID cases since CMS started tracking back in May 2020, suggesting that the vaccines are working. | Lowest Amount Of New COVID Cases Since CMS Started Tracking In May 2020 |
| Nursing Homes Set Goal To Get 75% Of Staff Vaccinated By June 30 | https://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Press-Releases/Pages/Nursing-Homes-Set-Goal-To-Get-75-Percent-Of-Staff-Vaccinated-By-June-30.aspx | Nursing Homes Set Goal To Get 75% Of Staff Vaccinated By June 30 | | | | | 2/25/2021 5:00:00 AM | | <p></p><div><strong>WASHINGTON, D.C.</strong> – The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), representing more than 14,000 nursing homes and long term care facilities across the country, and LeadingAge, the association of more than 5,000 mission-driven aging services providers including nursing homes, announced today, with the help of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the nationwide goal of getting 75 percent of the approximately 1.5 million nursing home staff vaccinated by June 30, 2021.</div><div> </div><div>“With COVID-19 vaccinations being distributed across long term care facilities over the past two months, we have already seen a decline in cases in nursing homes, indicating that the vaccines are working,” said Mark Parkinson, president and CEO of AHCA/NCAL. “Many of our staff continue to be excited about the vaccines and the hope they represent, but some caregivers still have questions. We are continuing to inform our staff about the credibility and safety of the vaccines through our #GetVaccinated campaign, and we hope this goal will further encourage more of our staff members to get the vaccine.”</div><div><br></div><div>In December, AHCA/NCAL launched <a href="/News-and-Communications/Pages/GetVaccinated.aspx" target="_blank">#GetVaccinated</a>, a nationwide campaign that aims to encourage all long term care residents, families and staff members to consent to the vaccine as well as provide credible information to help inform their decision.</div><div><br></div><div>“Achieving a high rate of staff vaccinations will be a game changer for nursing homes. Real progress has been made in vaccinating nursing home residents. Now we must also achieve high rates of staff vaccinations,” said Katie Smith Sloan, president and CEO of LeadingAge. “It’s critical to acknowledge the reasons for vaccine hesitancy are real and varied, and staff concerns must be understood and thoughtfully addressed as we work toward this goal. LeadingAge is committed to doing all we can with our partners and the Administration to ensure staff at our mission-driven members—at nursing homes and other care settings—have the information, conversations and support they need to get vaccinated.”</div><div><br></div><div>LeadingAge, in partnership with the <a href="https://blackcoalitionagainstcovid.org/" target="_blank">Black Coalition Against COVID</a> (BCAC), is sponsoring a national town hall Thursday, March 4 to address concerns about the COVID-19 vaccine among all levels of staff working in aging services communities. The association also regularly <a href="https://leadingage.org/covid-19-vaccine-information-and-resources" target="_blank">shares important vaccine resources</a> and hosts special webinars to connect members with experts on vaccine education.</div><div><br></div><div>According to a preliminary <a href="/Data-and-Research/Center-for-HPE/Documents/CHPE-Report-Vaccine-Effectiveness-Feb2021.pdf" target="_blank">analysis</a>, COVID cases decreased at a faster rate among nursing homes that had completed their first vaccine clinic, compared to those nearby that had not yet administered the vaccine in the first month of the vaccine rollout. Recent Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) data shows cases and deaths in nursing homes are declining rapidly, which hopefully indicates the vaccines are reducing the spread of the virus, according to AHCA/NCAL.</div><div> </div><div>“We look forward to working with President Biden’s Administration and the CDC to make this goal happen,” added Parkinson. “We cannot chance slowing the positive progress we have already made. Long term care facilities have been at the forefront of the pandemic since the beginning and our staff care for some of the most susceptible to the virus, making it even more imperative that their caregivers get vaccinated. The sooner we can get more of our staff vaccinated, the sooner we will be able to defeat this deadly virus.”</div><div><br></div><div><strong>ABOUT AHCA/NCAL</strong></div><div>The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) represents more than 14,000 non-profit and proprietary skilled nursing centers, assisted living communities, sub-acute centers and homes for individuals with intellectual and development disabilities. By delivering solutions for quality care, AHCA/NCAL aims to improve the lives of the millions of frail, elderly and individuals with disabilities who receive long term or post-acute care in our member facilities each day. For more information, please visit <a href="/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">www.ahcancal.org</a>. <br></div><div><br></div><div><strong>ABOUT LEADINGAGE</strong></div><div>We represent more than 5,000 nonprofit aging services providers and other mission-minded organizations that touch millions of lives every day. Alongside our members and 38 state partners, we use applied research, advocacy, education, and community-building to make America a better place to grow old. Our membership, which now includes the providers of the Visiting Nurse Associations of America, encompasses the continuum of services for people as they age, including those with disabilities. We bring together the most inventive minds in the field to lead and innovate solutions that support older adults wherever they call home. For more information visit <a href="https://www.leadingage.org/" target="_blank">leadingage.org</a>.<br></div> | AHCA/NCAL and LeadingAge announced today, with the help of the CDC, the nationwide goal of getting 75% of the approximately 1.5 million nursing home staff vaccinated by June 30, 2021. | Long Term Care Providers Are Encouraging Staff To Receive Vaccinations To Protect Fellow Colleagues And Vulnerable Older Residents |
| Long Term Care Providers Need Help From Congress To Defeat COVID-19 | https://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Press-Releases/Pages/Long-Term-Care-Providers-Need-Help-From-Congress-To-Defeat-COVID-19.aspx | Long Term Care Providers Need Help From Congress To Defeat COVID-19 | | | | | 2/22/2021 5:00:00 AM | | <p></p><div>The long term care industry has been one of the hardest hit from the COVID-19 pandemic. The residents of nursing homes and assisted living communities are more susceptible to the virus because of their age and underlying health conditions, leading to devastating losses nationwide. While vaccines are bringing hope to millions who live and work in long term care, the pandemic is far from over and will remain at the center of how these facilities operate for the foreseeable future.</div><div><br></div><div>COVID-19 has left an indelible mark and pushed the long term care industry to the financial brink. The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) conducted an <a href="https://d3dkdvqff0zqx.cloudfront.net/groups/ahca/attachments/protect%20access%20to%20long%20term%20care_ib.pdf" target="_blank">analysis</a> that estimates that the nursing home industry is projected to lose $94 billion over a two-year period (2020-2021).</div><div><br></div><div>All long term care providers have had to deal with increased costs of care, including routine COVID testing, personal protective equipment (PPE) and staffing. Coupled with declining revenue and historically underfunded Medicaid reimbursement rates, providers are operating on shoe-string budgets. Thousands of facilities may be forced to close their doors in 2021 without additional financial resources. This threatens access to long term care for tens of thousands of frail seniors and individuals with disabilities who require round-the-clock care.</div><div><br></div><div>Congress must focus on America’s most vulnerable population and their dedicated caregivers. The pandemic is not yet behind us, and long term care providers must have the necessary resources to continue protecting residents and staff. As discussions around the next COVID relief package continue, AHCA/NCAL is requesting lawmakers to prioritize the long term care industry by:</div><div><br></div><div><ol><li>Continuing to make long term care residents and workers a top priority for vaccine distribution.</li><li>Allocating $20 billion to the long term care industry either through an enhanced Federal Medicaid Assistance Percentage for long-term services and supports, or through a dedicated portion to the Provider Relief Fund.</li><li>Continuing to prioritize long term care facilities' access to testing and proper equipment.</li></ol></div><div><span style="font-size:11pt;">Long term care providers continue to do all they can to keep staff and residents safe. The vaccines are making a positive impact, but the virus is still a considerable threat. Nursing homes and assisted living communities need lawmakers to act now. We must rally together to put dedicated frontline workers and vulnerable residents first. </span><br></div><div><br></div><div><strong>A</strong><span style="font-size:11pt;"><strong>BOUT AHCA/NCAL</strong><br></span><span style="font-size:11pt;">The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) represents more than 14,000 non-profit and proprietary skilled nursing centers, assisted living communities, sub-acute centers and homes for individuals with intellectual and development disabilities. By delivering solutions for quality care, AHCA/NCAL aims to improve the lives of the millions of frail, elderly and individuals with disabilities who receive long term or post-acute care in our member facilities each day. For more information, please visit </span><a href="/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank" style="font-size:11pt;">www.ahcancal.org</a><span style="font-size:11pt;">.</span></div> | The long term care industry has been one of the hardest hit from the COVID-19 pandemic. | |