On Nov. 10, 2020, Scott Taylor, CEO at SRX, sat down with other leaders in the long-term care industry to talk with Alex Spanko, editor at Skilled Nursing News, about the future and the ongoing challenges nursing home operators are facing from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Speakers included the following:
- Steve Boulware, Managing Partner at Priority Management
- Jay Moskowitz, President & CEO of Vivage Senior Living
- Clifton Porter II, SVP for Government Relations at the American Health Care Association (AHCA)
There is no question that this year has tested the nursing home industry. From securing PPE and retaining and attracting staff to managing negative financial implications, these challenges have placed a heavy burden on an industry that has long-lacked adequate funding and support. As the industry moves forward, there will be opportunities to learn lessons—particularly in infectious disease containment— and work together to build a stronger foundation for supporting residents and staff.
One of the key takeaways was the importance of a vaccine for not only stemming the spread of the virus but in restoring confidence in the safety of nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities for aging residents. Mr. Porter with the American Health Care Association (AHCA), stated, “If we can get vaccines, if they’re 90 percent effective, if we get them to our staff and to our patients, we make nursing homes and assisted living facilities the safest places in America.”
There is hope at the end of what has otherwise been a very challenging year for so many.
Moderna and Pfizer and BioNtech recently made announcements about vaccines that should get distributed as soon as year-end 2020. Additionally, the CDC guidelines for priority distribution of the vaccine include healthcare personnel and people aged 65 and older.
Hear what the experts are saying about the state of the long-term care industry.
Watch the full webinar here.