Why COVID Is Shining the Spotlight on Nursing Homes, Again
This time last year, all eyes were focused on nursing homes and assisted living facilities as cases of COVID-19 spread like wildfire, taking a tragic toll on this vulnerable population. Fast forward to this past winter, when the vaccination effort placed these seniors at the front of the line. It’s now been about six months since residents of these elder-care facilities received their shots and scientists are watching them closely. You see, no one knows for sure exactly how long the immunity will last – not even the vaccine manufacturers. Experts believe a booster shot will be required within the first year.
A Yahoo! News story digs into what’s being done to monitor the situation. In found that in Florida about 75% of nursing home residents and over 90% of assisted living residents have been vaccinated, but only about 40% of the staff has been. This has officials concerned as small outbreaks of COVID-19 continue to occur.
Evidence show vaccines continue to be the best way to protect vulnerable seniors – and anyone within authorized age groups for that matter – from contracting the coronavirus. And, if and when it comes time to receive booster shots, the consensus seems to be that nursing home and assisted living residents will once again be among the first to roll up their sleeves.
The Seniors Trust is committed to improving the lives of senior citizens by working to pass legislation which increases Social Security benefits. We’re urging Congress to pass the Social Security Expansion Act. This landmark piece of legislation will provide bigger monthly Social Security benefits, establish a more realistic cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for seniors, and guarantee the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. Throughout the pandemic, we’ve highlighted information about COVID-19 and the vaccines. It
