The novel coronavirus tore through long-term-care facilities for the elderly in spring. It continued into summer months, leaving hundreds of thousands of people dead around the world. Now, as autumn heads toward winter and the Northern Hemisphere prepares for a cold-weather surge in coronavirus cases, experts who focus on long-term care are desperate to avert the next chapter in the disaster.
As covid-19 cases surge, global study paints grim picture for elder-care homes
www.washingtonpost.com
Across 26 countries, residents of long-term-care facilities accounted for an average of 47 percent of all covid-19 deaths."We’re encouraging people that if you do want to vote in person, to go to those early voting sites in that first week, because the longer you wait, you’re going to get more involved with the crowds." - Mark Earley, Leon County Supervisor of Elections
Early Voting in Leon County starts today!
In anticipation of the upcoming election, the Claude Pepper Center had the privilege to interview Leon County Supervisor of Elections Mark Earley and ask him about topics that were of particular interest to our elder population.
Interview with Leon County Supervisor of Elections Mark Earley - The Claude Pepper Center
fla.st
Supervisor Earley. Thank you for joining me today to discuss the upcoming general election. Can you perhaps give us a simple timeline of when people could start to vote using the various methods avail...Some people feel it's their patriotic duty to vote on election day like in the past, each to their own choices....
The cost of isolating frail elders in nursing homes — many of which have been on a literal lockdown for months — is taking an even steeper toll than aging advocates feared. A new survey of 365 nursing home residents in 36 states, conducted in July and August, by the nonprofit Altarum Institute shows that pandemic restrictions have affected nearly every part of their lives, especially their mental health.
What they learned from those who responded was that their ability to freely move around, have outside visitors or socialize with other residents has significantly decreased since March — significantly impacting their psychological well-being.
The Huge Emotional Toll COVID-19 Is Taking on Nursing Home Residents
www.nextavenue.org
A new survey's troubling findings on their mental health due to isolationVery informative article.
Older adults are especially vulnerable physically during the coronavirus pandemic. But they’re also notably resilient psychologically, calling upon a lifetime of experience and perspective to help them through difficult times.
Do you have any tips or advice to share on coping with the difficult times of the pandemic we face?
Lifetime Experiences Help Older Adults Build Resilience to Pandemic Trauma
khn.org
These seniors use coping strategies to keep them socially active yet safe from the coronavirus.The coronavirus started as a medical crisis, but quickly produced an unemployment crisis and a state fiscal crisis. Medicaid, the state-operated health care entitlement that covers 67 million low-income Americans, has been strained by all three. As unemployment increases, so does eligibility for the program and the costs that it imposes on states — just as their revenues come under strain. To fill this gap, Congress in March provided $50 billion in extra funding for the program, bailing out states as it did when they faced economic headwinds in 2001, 2003 and 2009.
A fresh future for Medicaid
thehill.com
The program's funds have been distributed in a manner that is neither accountable, focused nor fair.