WASHINGTON, D.C. – The two largest associations representing America's nursing homes and other long-term care and senior living facilities—the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) and LeadingAge, the association of nonprofit providers of aging services—issued a joint statement today in reaction to the White House announcement of a six-week campaign through the end of the year urging Americans and especially seniors to get their updated COVID-19 vaccine.
The statement is attributable to AHCA/NCAL President and CEO Mark Parkinson and LeadingAge President and CEO Katie Smith Sloan:
“Nursing homes have done a remarkable job at vaccinating residents, but we have work to do with the most recent booster. According to the CDC, 43 percent of residents are up to date on their COVID vaccinations, which is nearly four times higher than the dismal 11 percent rate among the general population.
“We all share the same goal: ensuring the health and wellbeing of older adults. We believe we can continue to increase that booster rate and to do so requires a shared commitment from the government and other health care providers. For example, 90 percent of residents are admitted to nursing homes from hospitals, and very few of those residents are current on their vaccines upon admission. Through collaboration with hospitals, vaccine numbers can be improved. That is why we have proposed an all-hands-on-deck approach, which can be found on LeadingAge's and AHCA's websites.
“We look forward to working with the Administration, and we will continue our tireless efforts to protect the health of our residents."
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ABOUT AHCA/NCAL
The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) represents more than 14,000 non-profit and proprietary skilled nursing centers, assisted living communities, sub-acute centers and homes for individuals with intellectual and development disabilities. By delivering solutions for quality care, AHCA/NCAL aims to improve the lives of the millions of frail, elderly and individuals with disabilities who receive long term or post-acute care in our member facilities each day. For more information, please visit www.ahcancal.org.
ABOUT LEADINGAGE
We represent more than 5,000 nonprofit aging services providers and other mission-minded organizations that touch millions of lives every day. Alongside our members and 38 state partners, we use applied research, advocacy, education, and community-building to make America a better place to grow old. Our membership, which now includes the providers of the Visiting Nurse Associations of America, encompasses the continuum of services for people as they age, including those with disabilities. We bring together the most inventive minds in the field to lead and innovate solutions that support older adults wherever they call home. For more information visit leadingage.org.