Washington, DC –The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) announced today a new program to commemorate the heroic efforts of long term care staff during the pandemic. The AHCA/NCAL COVID-19 Honors Program allows long term care facilities to recognize staff who battled COVID-19 on the frontlines, staff who contracted COVID-19 and survived, and those staff members who ultimately succumbed to the illness.
“In the face of COVID-19, our health care heroes are working around the clock to provide physical, psychological, and compassionate care to residents during this incredibly stressful time. Not only are these heroic staff providing one-on-one care, they are also filling the void of residents’ families and supporting them by giving them a shoulder to lean on. They are putting their lives on the line every day by coming to work to care for those most vulnerable to this virus, and we have seen their extraordinary commitment to residents during this pandemic. Tragically, too many of them have paid the ultimate sacrifice,” said AHCA/NCAL President & CEO Mark Parkinson.
“The AHCA/NCAL COVID-19 Honors Program allows facilities to pay tribute to the phenomenal staff who were a beacon of light to their colleagues, residents, and the greater community. They are true heroes,” said Parkinson.
The AHCA/NCAL COVID-19 Honors Program is open to any long term care facility, including non-AHCA/NCAL members. Honors include a pin for staff who fought COVID-19 in their building, a medal for staff members who developed COVID-19 and recovered, and in memory of those staff who lost their lives due the virus, a medal and a United States flag flown over the U.S. Capitol may be presented to their surviving loved ones. Interested facilities may order their desired honors for staff through the AHCA/NCAL bookstore. Plans for efforts to honor residents and their families are being formulated.
ABOUT AHCA/NCAL
The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) represent 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
www.ahcancal.org.