Just as staffing in senior living isn’t a one-size-fits-all proposition, neither is the help states are providing during this challenging time. Here are some of the steps states are taking to help shore up staffing for their senior living and long-term care communities:
- In New Hampshire, Gov. Sununu reactivated a $300 weekly stipend through yearend for frontline healthcare workers at assisted living communities and other long-term care facilities that care for Medicaid beneficiaries.
- In Pennsylvania, Gov. Tom Wolf is requesting reauthorization for the deployment of the PA National Guard to support long-term care facilities on the frontlines during the pandemic. The National Guard in the state has been used to provide staffing support such as helping with resident care and support services (such as meal preparation and cleaning).
- In Delaware, the state Department of Health and Social Services is creating five teams to help assisted living and other communities with infection control training, testing, case tracking, and incident response coordination for coronavirus outbreaks and cases. The department is seeking volunteers in the state government to staff these teams.
