To support members in planning Thanksgiving policies related to resident and staff travel and gatherings, LeadingAge fielded the Community Holiday Planning Survey last week. Our intent was to add to the growing list of anecdotal member solutions – and ongoing questions - that we’ve heard from many members across the country. This survey, geared towards members who serve older adults in congregate living settings (affordable housing, assisted living, independent living, life plan communities / CCRCs, and nursing homes), received 113 responses.
With the weather changing – and most get-togethers moving indoors – members are giving great thought and consideration to how to help residents, staff and families safely celebrate Thanksgiving. Here, we offer a summary of ideas and solutions that members have shared as we prepare for one of the year’s biggest family-centric holidays. As with all things COVID, there are two primary areas to consider: solutions for resident celebrations and travel, and solutions for staff celebrations and travel.
Today’s White House Webinar on the Trump Administration’s support of older adults and vulnerable populations ravaged by COVID featured remarks by Vice President Mike Pence; HHS Secretary Alex Azar; CMS Administrator Seema Verma; HHS Assistant Secretary for Health Brett Giroir; and Rear Admiral John Polowczyk. Universally, all speakers praised the hard work and dedication of aging services organizations and their staff in the battle against COVID and expressed gratitude.
A bill to provide emergency supplemental funding to programs that strengthen social connectedness and address the negative health effects of social isolation in the Older Americans Act (OAA) has been introduced in the Senate. Technological solutions to increase social engagement would be eligible for this funding.
Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) introduced S. 4477, the “Strengthening Social Connections Act of 2020,” in early August. U.S. Representative David Trone (MD-6) joined in introducing this bicameral legislation in the House.
On March 13, CMS issued a memo that drastically changed the way nursing homes operated. In response to the growing COVID-19 pandemic, CMS directed nursing homes to restrict all visitors to the nursing home, including non-essential visiting healthcare workers, “except for certain compassionate care situations.” CMS went on to further direct nursing homes to cancel all communal dining and group activities.
“Reopening" to Visitors
On June 18th, House Democrats introduced a new bill titled the “Moving Forward Act,” which would invest $1.5 trillion to improve the nation’s housing, roads, bridges, schools, and broadband access. LeadingAge has urged lawmakers to include senior housing and other supports for older adults in any infrastructure initiatives.
The bill includes the following investments for older adults:
A Washington Post article today highlighted, in Italy, what we know as providers to be inherently true everywhere: this virus, like other flulike viruses, is “disproportionately risky for the old[er adult].” Countries now battling the Coronavirus are scrambling to find ways to protect their most vulnerable populations, such as the elderly; o
Generally speaking, the likelihood of the novel Coronavirus spreading in the U.S.
Within a black frame, an older man in sepia tones stands, proudly bare-chested, holding 40-lb. barbells and displaying taunt six-pack abs that would put Brad Pitt to shame. “Growing Old Isn’t for Sissies,” proclaims the poster, which is hung prominently in the Wellness Center of an affluent LPC.
Member of LeadingAge? Oh yes. And, how apropos the unabashed poster is for the topic of “End of Life,” as it illustrates beautifully the multifaceted emotional work that must go in to facing the ultimate reality of life: it comes to an end, and we need to deal with it.
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