Americans who live in nursing homes are among the most vulnerable. When the novel coronavirus hit, these nursing homes became its ground zero. Many residents and workers did not receive adequate testing, and staff struggled to obtain personal protective equipment. Some facilities downplayed the severity of the outbreaks. Coupled with some state governments mandating the reintroduction of recovering COVID-19 patients back into nursing homes, a perfect storm emerged. The Washington Post reports that, according to the best estimates, about half of COVID-19 deaths have been among nursing home residents. Currently, that represents more than 52,500 seniors in our population.
The Wall Street Journal reports that, according to two studies, nursing home residents dying from COVID-19 could have expected to live another decade on average. Even the oldest residents, aged 90 and older with multiple ailments, are losing more than one year of life. These studies challenge the perception that coronavirus only kills elderly people who were likely to die soon anyway.
A New Perspective on Elder Care
The coronavirus pandemic forces us to take a hard look at where our loved ones should receive care when home care is not a safe option. As nursing home deaths increase, the news media can no longer gloss over the harsh reality of these losses.
Now, more than ever, families need to come together to make informed decisions about a loved one’s care. We assist families in exploring care options and planning how to pay for appropriate care.
Please contact us here or call 501-834-2070 to discuss how we can help you or your loved one. We have offices in Sherwood, Searcy, Little Rock, and Benton.