The number of U.S. nursing home deaths from the COVID-19 pandemic has eclipsed 10,700, accounting for nearly a quarter of the country’s total death toll, according to a survey by the Wall Street Journal. The survey gathered information from 35 states that either publicly share that data or responded to the newspaper’s requests for information. Key states such as Ohio and Washington did not provide data, suggesting that the number is actually considerably higher. The total U.S. death toll from COVID-19 passed 46,000 on Wednesday, according to data from Johns …
coronavirus
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Although a new federal law enacts a moratorium on some multifamily evictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is unlikely that this will apply to seniors housing communities, according to a note that the American Seniors Housing Association (ASHA) sent to its members on Tuesday, April 21. The Washington, D.C.-based organization’s legal counsel, Paul Gordon of law firm Hanson Bridgett, wrote the letter. “Section 4024 of the CARES Act, the comprehensive federal law responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, provides for a temporary moratorium on eviction filings for certain …
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Argentum and the American Seniors Housing Association (ASHA), both organizations serving seniors housing owners and operators, issued separate statements regarding federal actions around the COVID-19 pandemic. Both organizations weighed in on a bi-partisan effort, led by Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.), to ensure that seniors housing receives “a meaningful level of support” from the Public Health and Social Service Emergency Fund (PHSSEF). In all, 27 U.S. senators contacted the Department of Health and Human Services to encourage appropriate distribution levels from the $100 billion fund to seniors housing …
This pandemic could change the design and programming of seniors housing forever. By Russ Garber, M+A Architects Our senior citizens are wise and brave and giving, but they are also among our most vulnerable loved ones. For the many in senior living facilities, the COVID-19 pandemic is a time filled with trepidation. For the operators of those facilities and their dedicated staff members, this is a time of long days and addressing many concerns, large and small. As of March 23, at least 150 skilled nursing facilities in more than …
Operators Must Show Appreciation, Increase Safety to Retain Staff During Pandemic, Says SHB Webinar Panel
by Jeff Shaw
As the COVID-19 pandemic has shut down many businesses around the world, seniors housing is in a tough spot. In charge of caring for seniors — those most vulnerable to the disease — communities must stay open, but while doing everything possible to ensure the safety of residents. The industry already faced a staffing shortage for frontline workers. Now many of those workers either can’t come into work for fear of transmitting COVID-19 to an older family member, or are resigning out of fear of contracting the disease themselves. “Early …
TOLEDO, Ohio — Welltower (NYSE: WELL), the largest seniors housing REIT in the country by market cap, has promoted two of its C-Suite executives. In addition to his existing title of chief investment officer, Shankh Mitra is now chief operating officer of the company. His secondary title, formerly executive vice president, was also upgraded to vice chair. Tim McHugh will maintain his title of chief financial officer, but his secondary title was adjusted from senior vice president to executive vice president. CEO Tom DeRosa’s contract was also extended, though details …
Adequate COVID-19 Testing in Short Supply in Senior Living Industry, Concludes NIC Webinar Panel
by Jeff Shaw
“How do you fight the enemy without knowing where it is?” The question posed by Kathryn Sweeney, co-founder and managing partner of Blue Moon Capital Partners LP, underscores the need for senior living communities to have priority access to personal protective equipment (PPE) and adequate testing to battle the COVID-19 virus. “We’re really fighting this battle with very rudimentary and limited tools,” said Sweeney, whose Boston-based firm provides equity exclusively to the seniors housing sector. “We have had inconsistent access to tests in our portfolio. What we’re finding is those …
LTC, Juniper Launch Free Digital Resources for Seniors Separated from Families During Pandemic
by Jeff Shaw
LTC Properties, a major seniors housing REIT, and Juniper Communities, a seniors housing owner-operator, have launched Virtual Connections, a website to help seniors connect with family while under lockdown for the COVID-19 pandemic. During the outbreak, seniors housing communities across the country have implemented “no visitor” policies, as well as social distancing for those who are in the communities. The goal of the website is to offer free resources to keep residents social and entertained during these unprecedented measures. “The site offers hundreds of digital resources including activities, games, reading …
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — Brookdale Senior Living Inc. (NYSE: BKD), the nation’s largest senior living operator, is actively recruiting to fill more than 4,500 positions. Brookdale operates 743 senior living communities in 45 states. The company could be a sign of relief for the jobless, as nearly 17 million people have filed initial unemployment claims in the last three weeks due to businesses shuttering during the COVID-19 pandemic. Brookdale is seeking registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), certified nursing assistants (CNAs), caregivers, housekeeping, dining, maintenance and many other roles. The …
As the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to shutter businesses around the country, a record 6.6 million Americans filed for unemployment benefits during the week ending in March 28. However, this could prove to be a benefit to industries like seniors housing that were struggling to find quality workers when unemployment was at historic lows just a few weeks ago. Sunshine Retirement, Integral Senior Living and Solstice Senior Living all sent out press releases noting that they are hiring for hundreds of open positions, including care, service and management …