Senior Living Communities Left Behind in COVID-19 Government Response
Gaps in Support Severely Impacted Senior Living Providers and Residents
Despite acknowledging at least one challenge faced by long-term care providers, a recent report from a House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic largely overlooked the struggles that senior living communities encountered during the COVID-19 pandemic. This lack of recognition raised concerns about the future of senior living and those who depend on it, highlighting the need for focused legislative initiatives and guaranteed support.
This oversight was particularly jarring considering the extensive efforts undertaken by senior living providers throughout the pandemic. From implementing stringent infection control measures to acquiring personal protective equipment and facilitating virtual engagement opportunities for residents and their families, these providers demonstrated extraordinary dedication to the people in their care.
“While many frontline providers received billions in relief and direct shipments of personal protective equipment, test kits, and other necessities, senior living communities were left with little support or resources for much of the pandemic, despite six relief packages and more than $6 trillion in federal spending,” said Dan Samson, Argentum Director of Government Relations. “Policymakers routinely believed, incorrectly, that senior living communities had access to the same COVID-19 response resources afforded to nursing homes.”
The report sparked criticism from expert organizations, such as Argentum and the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living, which represent senior living practitioners and advocate for their needs.
Inadequate Funding and Marginalized Needs
Forums, media coverage, and analyses from senior living organizations highlighted incongruities between the allocated support for Senior living communities and the financial burdens this situation created.
“CARES Act relief funding remained disproportionately insufficient,”
said Samson, highlighting a significant disparity.
“Only $1 billion was allocated to senior living – a figure representing less than 10% of the federal relief received by nursing homes caring for similar residents.” This allocational inequity forced many senior living communities to rely on their own resourcefulness for protection and employee retention.
Beyond shortages of crucial governmental resources, there was a crucial delay in providing assistance with testing supplies and support in administering vaccine booster doses.
Samson asserts that senior living providers, not policymakers, effectively ensured residents’ safety throughout the COVID-19 pandemic due to their proactive efforts.
“The decisive action of senior living providers, not policymakers, protected residents,” said Samson.
Senior living communities faced significant resource constraints while navigating a rapidly evolving public health crisis, struggling to adapt to changing guidance and secure crucial supplies for resident and staff safety. They were forced to implement extensive internal protocols for infection control, hire additional staff at a time when the healthcare labor force was facing unprecedented strain, and provide hazard pay and creative incentives to retain frontline workers.
Other voices within the senior living industry echoed the deficiencies in support. “Policymakers should take note of these efforts in considering how best to support communities, residents, and caregivers in a future pandemic,” urged Samson.
The Crucial Need for Social Engagement
The pandemic’s forced isolation hibernations shed light on a crucial aspect of care often overlooked – social engagement. Senior living providers, however, recognized the ‘critical importance of community and social interaction, even amidst a pandemic and that then understood the insidious effects social isolation can have on older adults.
“Moving forward, policymakers should ensure that settings have the flexibility needed to balance the needs of mitigating the spread of disease while continuing to meet the total care needs of residents, particularly those in memory care settings,” emphasized Samson.
The pandemic brought to light the pervasive vulnerability of older adults to illness and the crucial need for
What were the implications of the funding disparity between senior living communities and nursing homes?
## Interview: Senior Living Left Behind in Pandemic Response
**(Intro Music)**
**Host:** Welcome back to the show. Today we’re discussing a concerning report about the treatment of senior living communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Joining us to shed light on this issue is Dan Samson, Director of Government Relations for Argentum, an association representing senior living providers. Welcome, Dan.
**Dan Samson:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** The report from the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic has drawn criticism for largely overlooking the challenges faced by senior living communities. Can you elaborate on these challenges?
**Dan Samson:** Absolutely. While the report acknowledged some difficulties faced by long-term care providers it failed to adequately address the unique struggles of senior living communities. Despite implementing stringent infection control measures, securing PPE, and maintaining resident engagement virtually, these communities received significantly less support than nursing homes, even though they care for similar vulnerable populations.
**Host:** Can you give us some specific examples of this funding disparity?
**Dan Samson:** Absolutely. The CARES Act, while providing crucial relief, allocated only $1 billion to senior living communities. That’s less than 10% of what nursing homes received, despite serving comparable residents. This left many senior living communities struggling to obtain essential resources, protect their residents and staff, and maintain operations.
**Host:** This raises serious concerns. What are the implications of this neglect for the future of senior living and the seniors who rely on it?
**Dan Samson:** The lack of recognition and support sends a worrying message. It undermines the essential role senior living communities play in our society and jeopardizes the well-being of countless seniors. We need focused legislative initiatives and guaranteed support to ensure these communities are properly equipped to face future challenges and provide the quality care seniors deserve.
**Host:** The report mentions significant delays in providing testing supplies and vaccine booster support. How did these delays impact senior living communities?
**Dan Samson:** These delays created significant obstacles. Timely access to testing was crucial for controlling outbreaks, protecting residents and staff, and ensuring families could visit loved ones safely. Delays in booster doses also put residents at higher risk, particularly as new variants emerged.
**Host:** What’s Argentum doing to address these concerns?
**Dan Samson:** We are actively advocating for policy changes that recognize the unique needs of senior living communities. This includes increased funding, equitable distribution of resources, and clear guidelines for future pandemic preparedness. We are also working closely with lawmakers to raise awareness about the challenges faced by these communities and the importance of investing in their future.
**Host:** Thank You for providing valuable insights into this critical issue, Dan.
**(Outro Music)**
