Page 14 - FLIPMAG.NET

Pandemic

proves to be

pivotal moment

for senior care

GETTY IMAGES
Nursing home residents and staff became infected with COVID-19 at relatively high rates, yet they received little support from
the federal government, nursing home experts say.

By Alex Kacik
SYSTEMIC UNDERINVESTMENT THE TAKEAWAY operational and philosophical perspective, but
in senior care has left workers and to this point the outlook has been bleak.
those they care for exposed to un- A systemic “Our nation has decided that elderly peo-
A necessary risk, calling into question underinvestment in ple are dispensable,” said Daniel Reingold,
nursing homes’ viability, operators and policy senior care has left CEO of Hebrew Home at Riverdale in New
experts said. the sector exposed, York City. “We are prepared to reopen the
While some providers were able to adapt more say nursing home country knowing that most of the people
quickly than others, the response to the pan- operators and experts, who will suffer and die are the old and in-

who are advocating

demic has largely been a reactive one. Th ey are for a new operational firmed people in nursing homes, instead
hopeful that the crisis will shape a new approach and philosophical of recognizing the ageism in this country.”
to post-acute and long-term care, both from an approach. More immediately, skilled-nursing, assist-

12 Modern Healthcare | June 8, 2020