long-term care

The 42 percent vaccination rate placed Florida second from last in the percentage as of June 20 and well behind the national average of 56 percent, according to an AARP study.

Seniors, their families and states are eager to keep older Americans in their homes and out of nursing homes, but those efforts are often thwarted by worker shortages and low pay.

Despite a hearts-and-minds campaign and millions spent in incentives, facilities struggle to get staffs vaccinated against COVID. Some are met with hesitancy, resignations or, in some cases, lawsuits.

Atria Senior Living, which operates nine assisted living communities, has required workers to get vaccinations since January. The business says the decision has provided peace of mind for residents and families.

The state requires nursing facilities to report the number of residents and staff who have received at least one shot or no shot, but not those who have completed the recommended dosage.

A report shows more than 14% of nursing homes had new resident cases in the past four weeks. The national average is 10%. Part of the problem is only about 38% of facility workers have been vaccinated.

Officials hope that disclosure will provide an incentive to keep giving shots even as the worst ravages of the pandemic have eased.

Nearly 100 investor groups that manage $3.3 trillion in assets in the U.S. and abroad told nursing home companies they should increase staffing, boost pay, improve safety programs and allow unions.

Despite state and federal attempts to offer vaccinations at all nursing homes and assisted-living centers in the state, 62% of staffers have declined.

Federal records show a steep decline in staff cases since December, when health care workers at thousands of nursing homes began getting their shots. Still, many are reluctant to get vaccinated.