The pandemic hit nursing homes in Pennsylvania hard. By March 2021, around 12,600 deaths occurred in over 1,500 long-term care facilities across the state, as reported by the Covid Tracking Project. The Brighton Rehabilitation & Wellness Center was particularly affected. At its peak, it accounted for a staggering 65% of Beaver County’s COVID-19 cases and 90% of the deaths.
Chase Cannon, the executive director of the Pennsylvania Coalition of Affiliated Healthcare & Living Communities, reflected on the chaos. “Covid hit, and we found ourselves in a situation that no one expected," he said. The focus shifted towards infection control and preparing for future outbreaks.
Today, nursing homes are better equipped. They keep personal protective equipment on hand and train staff on best practices for infection control. Emergency preparedness is now a priority. Some nursing homes have brought on infectious disease specialists, tightened sanitization protocols, and improved communication with residents and their families during crises.
According to Shamberg, a positive outcome from the pandemic is the improved emergency plans. Quarantine practices have changed, moving from isolating patients who test positive to grouping them in designated areas away from healthy residents. This could mean having a specific wing or floor for COVID-positive patients.
Even five years into the pandemic, COVID-19 remains a fixture in daily routines. However, experts note that its current impact resembles seasonal influenza rather than the earlier outbreaks. “While the pandemic may be over, COVID is still very much a part of our daily operations,” said Shamberg. Testing continues for residents and staff, and while masks are still common, other protective gear has lessened.
Despite high levels of care during the pandemic, uncertainty and stigma linger around nursing facilities. Susan Saxinger, executive director of the Pennsylvania Assisted Living Association, emphasized the commitment to quality. “Personal care providers did their absolute best to preserve life,” she stated.
Nationally, there’s encouraging news. A 2023 report by Argentum revealed that over 90% of residents in senior living communities are satisfied, and more than 80% of their families believe they receive good value.
To sum it up, while the past few years have been challenging for Pennsylvania’s nursing homes, they are now more prepared and adaptable. The lessons learned from the pandemic are paving the way for a stronger future in elder care.
Check out this related article: Unlock Your Well-Being: Essential Mental Health Resources for York College Students
Source link