nursing homes

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.

U.S. District Judge William Dimitrouleas last week ended the case after attorneys for The Rehabilitation Center at Hollywood Hills and the Department of Health and Human Services agreed to the dismissal.

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.

The state Agency for Health Care Administration website shows that only 17 nursing homes and eight assisted living facilities have not fully complied with the requirements.

A new study by the nonprofit news service Climate Central presents another grim outlook for the elderly in South Florida: more nursing homes and assisted living facilities at risk from flooding than other coastal states.

Investors who own large shares of nursing home companies now are demanding that the operators improve staff working conditions and the quality of care.

Similar to the Senate proposal, the House health care plan recommends reducing Medicaid payments for inpatient and outpatient hospital care by $288 million.

Under a bill, Florida facilities would be allowed to operate apprenticeship programs and use participants’ on-the-job training to meet state minimum staffing requirements.

The guidelines will only make slight changes to Florida’s visitation procedures. Among them: the ability for residents to touch and hug their loved ones.