long-term care

COVID-19 has highlighted how older Americans are cared for, the special vulnerabilities they face and the challenges families have to confront when making caregiving decisions.

The federal announcement that nursing homes relying on Medicaid and Medicare funding must require staff members to get vaccinated will have a ripple effect through Florida.

High levels of community spread and low vaccination rates are putting many nursing homes in Florida at risk for COVID-19 outbreaks. Some facilities are taking extra precautions.

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.