long-term care

The Health & Human Services Committee approved the proposal, which came as nursing homes say they are grappling with staffing shortages that, in some cases, have forced them to leave beds unused.

Lawmakers are considering proposals to provide families more access to their loved ones in hospitals and long-term care facilities. They want to address isolation patients endured as a result of visitation restrictions implemented to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The AARP’s state director Jeff Johnson spoke to WMFE’s Joe Byrnes about nursing homes and long term care facilities, and other issues that could affect seniors this session.

A bill being considered by legislators would cut the required time that a nurse or certified nursing assistant spends with a patient in a long-term care facility from 3.6 hours to one hour. It would also permit nonmedical staff to replace CNAs for 2.5 hours every day.

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 to get vaccinated will have a ripple effect through Florida.

Brian Lee with Families for Better Care says federal data on nursing home case rates lags and doesn't cover all of Florida's long-term care facilities. He says the state is failing seniors by not resuming daily reports.

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.

The HHS inspector general found two devastating spikes eight months apart in the most comprehensive look yet at COVID-19's toll among its most vulnerable victims.

Despite a hearts-and-minds campaign and millions spent in incentives, facilities struggle to get staffs vaccinated against COVID.

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.