Heroes work here. The signs have been popping up all over communities across Virginia. Where is “here?” It’s Virginia’s long-term care facilities — our nursing homes and assisted living facilities — that are staffed by unsung heroes who care for tens of thousands of Virginia’s seniors. These heroes are dedicated professionals who have been working to keep our residents — our parents, grandparents, friends and neighbors — safe from this unprecedented virus.
Even as parts of Virginia reopen, our long-term care facilities are still fighting this virus. Because of the concentration of older adults with serious underlying health conditions who live in a communal environment, long-term care has seen the brunt of this virus. It’s been heartening to see communities deliver food, participate in drive-by parades and donate handmade cloth masks to these facilities.
Ensuring quality care has been and will continue to be the highest priority for our residents. Virginia’s long-term care facilities were ahead of the curve in working to beat this virus and keep it out of their centers. Before national guidance was provided on visitation by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, nursing homes and assisted living communities began limiting visitors to protect our most vulnerable. We also publicly noted from the start how vital it was that long-term care centers be top priority for the public health response.
It goes without saying that the individuals who work in long-term care are amazing examples of heroes who are doing all they can to help the most vulnerable during this pandemic.
One such example comes from a nursing home administrator who described being on the frontlines this way: “I’ve fed patients because they were not strong enough to feed themselves. I’ve made final FaceTime calls with families with tears streaming down my face. I’ve talked staff through the hardest most fearful thing we have ever done. I’ve cried, I’ve prayed, I’ve fought like hell! These patients are like family to me. My staff is like family to me. We have had a dozen residents hit the criteria to say they’re recovered.”
For months, long-term care staff have worked multiple shifts and, in some cases, around the clock to provide compassionate care for the most at-risk. It is simply a matter of time before they burn out, further complicating this crisis.
Moreover, they are making personal sacrifices and are voluntarily placing themselves in harm’s way to protect and provide quality care for those who are unable to live on their own and rely on the assistance of others. If these caregivers are sick with respiratory symptoms consistent with COVID-19 or exposed to the virus, they must stay home. Many have school-age children, and while schools are closed in many areas, they are forced to stay home to provide childcare.
We’re grateful for the continued support from the Northam administration, the Virginia Department of Health, local health departments, the Department of Social Services and all levels of government that are helping us continue to combat this virus.
They have been thoughtful and deliberate in their efforts to support long-term care providers and residents, from an infusion of funding to begin to help nursing homes cover the increased cost of care as they implemented precautions against the coronavirus, and on-going support to obtain PPE when normal supply chains have been insufficient.
We have also accelerated conversations about promoting careers in long-term care and kept open lines of communication about additional support that may be needed for those facilities that have been hardest hit by the virus.
Long-term care providers know they will be combating this virus for a long time. We’re proud of our role in fighting, and in many cases, beating this insidious virus. Our caregivers will not stop fighting it to protect our residents.
The still unfolding story is the significant number of residents who are recovering. We thank Virginians for rallying around those who are on the frontlines caring for our most vulnerable older adults during this unparalleled health care crisis. We humbly ask you to continue to be with us.
Keith Hare is president and CEO of the Virginia Health Care Association-Virginia Center for Assisted Living. Melissa Andrews is president and CEO of LeadingAge Virginia, an association of not-for-profit aging services organizations. Judy Hackler is executive director of the Virginia Assisted Living Association.
