I. FOLLOWING THE NARRATIVE: A quick summary of national media trends last week.
(* indicates that LeadingAge is featured in the story.)
As new pandemic-related milestones are either recently or soon to be met, media last week focused on look-back COVID impact stories – which of course included older adults and aging services – and continued exploration of workforce issues and access to care. Talk of fresh legislation involving some aspects of Build Back Better also caught reporters’ attention, as did senior housing advocacy urging Congress to fund the federal government at 2021 levels through early March.
Coronavirus, Workforce, Tests Vaccination/Boosters, Legal Challenges
- NPR: If you tested positive and the contact tracer never called, here’s why
- McKnight’s Senior Living: More than 201,000 in long-term care have died from COVID, but just how many more?
- The Washington Post: Covid deaths highest in a year as omicron targets the unvaccinated and elderly
- McKnight’s Senior Living: Move-ins slow with omicron surge; move-outs hold constant: NIC
- McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: Nursing home visitation policies, omicron both ease
- *USA Today: A different rescue mission: National Guard aids medical staffs burdened by COVID-19 pandemic
- *McKnight’s Senior Living: Long-term care workforce challenges remain at ‘crisis’ level
- McKnight’s Senior Living: $200,000 sign-on bonus program seeks to entice nurse aides to long-term care
- Home Health Care News: Wage Mandates for Home Care Workers Gain Steam Behind Societal Support, Advocacy
- Skilled Nursing News: Nursing Homes Struggle with Cost Inflation, Other Effects from Staffing Agency ‘Gold Rush’
- The Courier: GUEST COLUMN: Price gouging may force nursing homes to close
- The Atlantic: Vaccine Hesitancy Has Seeped Into Home Health Care
- *McKnight’s Long Term Care News: CMS begins posting nursing home COVID-19 booster data
- *McKnight’s Senior Living: 16-state coalition seeks to block CMS vax mandate
- McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: CMS warns states: Survey fully or suffer consequences
- Home Health Care News: Former VP Al Gore Sees Home-Based Care as ‘Central’ to a Sustainable Health Care System
Biden Administration and Congress
- CNN: The Democratic balancing act as they eye the resurrection of Build Back Better: ‘Timing. Is. Everything.’
- E&E News: Inflation news throws more cold water on ‘Build Back Better’
II. Other Clips that Influenced the Week: LeadingAge is a sought-out, reliable source for multiple trade and national media outlets (see that coverage posted in our LeadingAge Press Room). Other key clips that shaped the narrative last week:
- *National Journal: Funding delays worry housing advocates
- Wall Street Journal: People Over 80 Are Still Taking Care of Their Parents and Partners
- U.S. News and World Report: What’s the Difference Between Types of Long-Term Care Facilities?
- *Hospice News: California Bill Would Require Two Physicians for Hospice Recertification
- McKnight’s Senior Living: Middle market senior housing needs ‘secret sauce’ from operators to work: panel
- McKnight’s Senior Living: Long-term care financing success requires federal program, coverage across continuum: report
- McKnight’s Senior Living: Senior living resident-led program removes barriers to U.S. citizenship for workers
- McKnight’s Senior Living: Is it time to reimagine assisted living? These industry experts say yes
III. What’s On Our Radar — this week’s likely priorities:
- Continued focus on workforce advocacy asks and building awareness of need
- COVID-impact storytelling as we approach March 10 COVID anniversary
