leadingage
new york
TOGETHER
Their caregivers come to work every day. They put their lives, and their own families, at risk
because they are committed to their residents, as well as the families who are unable to visit
their loved ones. They feel called to help fight and blunt this virus so residents can continue
living meaningful lives.
It is troubling, and unfair, to see misplaced blame directed from a podium, when this virus
reveals itself in a long-term care community.
Since early March, LeadingAge New York has raised serious concerns regarding New York’s
approach to combatting COVID-19 in nursing homes, assisted living and other LTC settings.
The State issued directives and actions without any consultation with stakeholders or any
understanding or appreciation of their feasibility or the negative effects they may have on nursing
home residents, for example:
• Requiring admission to nursing homes to confirmed COVID patients;
• Authorizing asymptomatic employees to continue working, irrespective of whether they
had been exposed to the virus; and.
• Extending the use of PPE through repeated cleaning, rather than following infection
control best practices.
Unlike many states that have increased funding and targeted staffing resources for nursing homes
in response to the COVID emergency in neighboring states such as Massachusetts, Rhode Island
and Connecticut) – New York admonished nursing homes with impractical requirements, blame
and investigations, while failing to provide the critical resources they need.
With the lives of vulnerable individuals at stake, health policy must be based on real world,
practical conditions, rather than vilification.
To stem the tide of this virus, LTC Providers need access to on-site rapid testing and re-testing
of all residents and staff, sufficient personal protective equipment, and financial assistance and
other supports to enable adequate staffing.
The coronavirus pandemic is a long-term fight; and now we urge lawmakers to join the battle,
and support our efforts – rather than offer critical commentary, pointless investigations and
punitive threats.
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