Push for Transparency in Assisted Living is Met with Request to Prioritize PPE & Testing

Posted on May 5, 2020 by Jodi Boyne

Three members of Congress recently asked 11 assisted living companies to detail their case counts and strategies related to COVID-19, including their use of personal protective equipment, testing, visitation polices, and sick leave, family leave, medical leave and hazard pay offered to employees. LeadingAge and Argentum used this call for information as an opportunity to push the federal government to prioritize assisted living operators for PPE and other resources to combat COVID-19. 

“We support transparency and communication in all care settings serving older adults, including assisted living, where tragically, thousands of at-risk adults have fallen ill or died,” said Katie Smith Sloan, President & CEO, LeadingAge. “Public health officials have in no uncertain terms identified older adults as being at high risk of falling ill from the novel coronavirus. We have urged policymakers for months to prioritize access to personal protective equipment and testing for older adults in all care settings, includingassisted living, in order to contain the spread of this deadly disease.”

Argentum and the American Seniors Housing Association said that they will work with the letter-writers to understand how to support this request. “However, it is important to note that this pandemic is far from over, and our priority at this time remains supporting our members in caring for their residents and staff,” they said. “We continue to ask Congress and the administration for expanded access to PPE and testing, and other resources, to support the ongoing care and support in their communities.”