AHCA/NCAL News:
For months, long term care workers have gone above and beyond as they battle this historic health crisis.
They’re working extra shifts, spending time away from their families and putting their lives on the line in order to protect our most vulnerable citizens from COVID-19.
Because of their dedication, long term care workers across the country have celebrated with residents as they make a complete recovery from the virus.
While the vast majority of residents recover, one death from COVID-19 is one too many. According to data from the Kaiser Family Foundation, nearly 40,000 long term care residents have passed away from the virus.
There is room for improvement. That’s why the long term care profession is calling for greater access to testing, personal protective equipment (PPE) and staffing resources.
As American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) President and CEO Mark Parkinson said in a statement this week, “Whether it’s federal, state or local health agencies, long term care needs to be a priority for supplies and help. It’s time that America rally around our long term care residents just as they did with hospitals.”
With adequate funding and resources, long term care facilities can celebrate more stories like these:
96-Year-Old Yankee Fan Strikes Out COVID-19 In NJ Nursing Home
“She watched the Yankees win multiple pennants and lived through the years of Maris and Mantle, Jackson and Munson and Jeter and Rivera. Now, life-long Yankee fan Florence Simek, 96, can watch Judge and Cole as she beat back COVID-19 at the Chatham Hills Subacute Care Center. According to her family, Simek was determined to beat the virus, just in time to watch her beloved New York Yankees and their upcoming season.”
94-Year-Old Woman Beats Odds, Overcomes COVID-19
“A Virginia woman missed her 94th birthday because of her battle with the coronavirus, but she beat the odds to recover. Ruby Joyce, a retired teacher still active in church and clubs who socialized with Rosa Parks as a young woman, contracted the coronavirus in her assisted living apartment at Arbor Terrace … The family credits diligent caregivers at Reston Hospital Center for not giving up on a 94-year-old. They also credit the prayers.”
Cedar Rapids Facility Defies Norm, Heads For Recovery After Coronavirus Outbreak
“This past week, another Cedar Rapids skilled nursing center that reported the worst coronavirus outbreak among long-term care facilities in the state, announced it officially had ‘recovered’ from an outbreak. Heritage Specialty Care, the first long-term care facility in Linn County to report an outbreak, has seen no new cases of COVID-19 among residents and staff in two consecutive incubation periods of the virus, or 28 days.”
Two Months Ago An Assisted Living Home Went Into Lockdown. This Weekend It Emerges — COVID Free
“More than two months after staff at Shady Oaks Assisted Living in Bristol, Connecticut, moved onto the property to keep residents isolated from the coronavirus, the home is opening up for the first time. It remains COVID-free, according to the owner. More than 70% of Connecticut’s COVID-19 deaths were of senior home residents, but as the virus surged through the area, Shady Oaks had no infections among its 35 residents or its on-site staff, said the owner, Tyson Belanger. He credits what he called ‘bubbling up,’ as in enclosing the home in a protective wrap.”
103-Year-Old Matriarch And Avid Red Sox Fan Recovers From Coronavirus, Cracks Open A Bud Light
“How better to celebrate having survived coronavirus – at 103 – than with an ice-cold Bud Light? The Massachusetts nursing home resident [Jennie Stejna] was the first to test positive for the illness, in early May, her family said … But then the coronavirus winds changed. The ‘hardcore Boston sports fan’ who ‘used to sit outside and listen to the Red Sox on the radio,’ as her granddaughter told the Wicked Local, turned a corner – and the family got a phone call – but not the unhappy one they were expecting. Their feisty grandma had recovered, joining the ranks of elderly who have beaten COVID-19, such as Centenarian Frances Abbracciamento of Queens, who triumphed over the illness to make it to her 107th birthday.”
85-Year-Old Waxahachie Woman Recovers From COVID-19, Gets Warm Welcome Home
“Billie Buchanan is considered a high-risk health individual. She’s had surgery for pancreatic cancer, she lives in an assisted living facility and she is 85 years old. Despite it all, Buchanan has beaten the coronavirus and received a warm welcome when she was able to return to Legend Oaks assisted living facility in Waxahachie.”
Column: Long-Term Care Facilities Flatten Curve
“Hawaii has more than 5,000 residents at skilled nursing and assisted living facilities. To date, only one resident at a skilled nursing facility is known to have tested positive for COVID-19. That resident is believed to have been infected before entering the nursing facility, and has recovered.”
Recovered Nursing Home COVID-19 Patient Celebrates 78th Birthday
“One man at UnityPoint-St. Luke’s Living Center West in Cedar Rapids celebrated his birthday a little differently this year, but still got to do so with his family. Tara Walker’s father turned 78 years old on Tuesday. Her sister and mother wanted to sing to him and open presents. But, to be able to visit him in the second-story window at Living Center West, they needed a lift. He has been in the facility for about two months for rehabilitation. He tested positive for COVID-19 three weeks ago. He has since recovered from the virus allowing his family to join in on his special day.”
South Roanoke Nursing Home Announces Recovery Of 72 Residents, Staff From COVID-19
“Over the last several weeks, multiple cases of coronavirus occurred at the South Roanoke Nursing Home. Now, they are celebrating a total of 33 residents and 39 staff members who have recovered from the virus.”
NJ Women, 99 And 91, Beat COVID-19 At Old Bridge Nursing Home
“In their 190 years, Magdalene Holland, 91, and Anna Farbanec, 99, have witnessed quite a few historic moments. And now they can attest to surviving COVID-19.”
Cherry Hill Nursing Home Emphasizes Success In Coronavirus Fight
“Fifty-three people who were previously diagnosed with the coronavirus at Cadbury Premier Health have recovered, the long-term care facility told local officials in letters that were sent earlier this week.”
NC Nursing Home Celebrates Veteran’s Recovery From COVID-19
“North Carolina health officials estimate more than 9,000 people have recovered from COVID-19. Thomas Jones, 58, a U.S. Air Force veteran is now among them. Jones has suffered two strokes and lives at the North Carolina State Veterans Home in Kinston. Wednesday afternoon the staff surprised Jones with a recovery party.”
84-Year-Old NC Man Beats Coronavirus From Nursing Home
“An 84-year old Concord man beat the coronavirus from his nursing home room. Jake Shoemaker is now home. He was at Five Oaks Manor in Concord … ‘Great. I feel great,’ Shoemaker told Fox 46 Saturday.”
She’s 108, Lived Through The Spanish Flu And Just Beat Covid-19
“Last month, relatives of Sylvia Goldsholl received troubling news from her New Jersey nursing home: She had contracted the coronavirus and was in isolation. With the virus proving especially deadly for older people, the prognosis seemed dire for Ms. Goldsholl, who turned 108 in December … Two weeks later, relatives received another call. ‘They told us, “She’s fully recovered,”’ said Ms. [Nancy] Chazen, whose aunt [Sylvia Goldsholl] has become one of the oldest Covid-19 survivors in the world.”
104-Year-Old Great-Great-Grandmother Recovers From COVID-19
“Living to be 104 years old is already a feat. Living through not one, but two pandemics is pretty extraordinary. But being diagnosed with the novel coronavirus at 104 years old and recovering – that’s inspirational … [Eva Wilson’s family is] also especially grateful to the nurses at Sunrise at Orchard, her assisted living facility in Centennial, who have been there for the matriarch of the Wilson family when they couldn’t be.”
“‘Honestly, when I first heard that both of (my parents) were COVID-positive, it was really scary because I didn’t see anything positive coming up out of this virus,’ said Moore, who recalls how disheartened she felt seeing the daily tallies of deaths on the news. ‘It was just so depressing.’ But, she said, ‘With great health care, with caring nurses and with nurturing doctors, older people really can survive this COVID.’”
101-Year-Old Jersey City Nursing Home Resident Conquers Case Of COVID-19
“Guillermina Arbelaez celebrated her 101st birthday in a nursing home, recovering from a fever and only able to see her daughter over FaceTime on her iPhone. She didn’t test positive for COVID-19 until almost 20 days later, but by then her fever had subsided, and within two weeks, she tested negative again. To her daughter Elsa Arellano, Arbelaez is a champion.”
Georgia Nursing Home Celebrates 92 Residents Recovering From COVID-19 And No New Cases
“While the latest numbers from the Department of Community Health show 121 residents at Westbury Medical and Rehab in Jackson have tested positive for COVID-19, with 21 residents having passed away, what the numbers don’t show is that of the remaining 100 positive cases, 92 of them have recovered from the virus, plus Westbury does not have any new cases.”
Coronavirus Survivor Is ‘Home’ At Signature, Daughter Says
“92-year-old Alice Mayes survived COVID … But this is not a story of nursing home neglect or incompetence. [Onya] Rhoades [Mayes’ daughter] insists Signature [Healthcare Nursing Home] isn’t the reason Alice got sick – it’s the reason she’s alive.”
102-Year-Old Ark. Nursing Home Resident Beats Coronavirus
“Ms. Mae, who resides at Walnut Ridge Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, was born during the Spanish Flu epidemic in 1918. Since then she has survived the Great Depression, World War II, September 11, and other global crises. Now, in 2020, she has survived COVID-19. The nursing center celebrated her return to her room on Monday.”
Over 40 Residents Recover From Coronavirus In Norman Nursing Home
“Residents at Grace Skilled Nursing Home are beginning to recover. The Oklahoman reports more than 40 residents have fully recovered from the coronavirus.”
Coronavirus Outbreak Easing At Sinking Spring, West Reading ManorCare Sites
“ManorCare HCR has issued new information about the status of COVID-19 patients, showing a sharp reduction in the number of positive residents in the Sinking Spring and West Reading sites … ManorCare said Sinking Spring currently has 25 residents with the illness caused by the coronavirus with 88 recoveries. West Reading has 6 residents and 106 recoveries, the data show.”
New York Woman Beats Coronavirus, Celebrates 100th Birthday: ‘She Really Is Remarkable’
“Two weeks ago, dark clouds seemed to be forming on the horizon for the family of Mary Jane Hastings. The 99-year-old tested positive for COVID-19 after coming down with what at first seemed like a cold … But not only did Hastings recover after a 10-day hospital stay, she’s back at her assisted living facility, where she’s returned to focusing on such mundane, everyday matters as when she’ll be able to get a haircut again. On Thursday she marked her 100th birthday.”
Three Residents Recover At Westbury Medical Care And Rehab In Jackson, Georgia
“While the past six weeks have been extremely tough for our staff, residents, and their families, it’s days like this that truly put a smile on our faces. We celebrated recovery and victory over COVID-19 with three of our residents today. We cannot wait to continue the celebration of many more residents with a parade next week!”
104-Year-Old Woman Beats Coronavirus: “I Think It’s A Miracle”
“Ida Acconciamessa has survived stage 4 melanoma, faced two broken hips, and lived through the Spanish Flu. Now, at 104 years old, she just beat the coronavirus.”
Nursing Home Staff Cheers After 94-Year-Old Holocaust Survivor Beats Coronavirus
“A 94-year-old Holocaust survivor was greeted with cheers and the red-carpet treatment as he was released from quarantine after beating COVID-19 … Staff at CareOne at Hanover nursing home in New Jersey applauded and rang the bell as Jack Holzberg walked out of the facility on Tuesday.”
WWII Veteran Recovers From Coronavirus Just In Time For 104th Birthday: “I Made It”
“A ‘resilient’ 104-year-old man who lived through the Spanish Flu, the Great Depression and World War II has now recovered from the coronavirus … William “Bill” Lapschies contracted the virus … but as of this week, he is considered recovered from COVID-19.
“At his 104th birthday party, KOIN asked Lapschies how he felt to reach that milestone. ‘Pretty good. I made it,’ Lapschies said. He then paused and added, ‘Good for a few more.’”
“As of Tuesday, 26 residents have recovered and eight staff members have recovered and returned to work, said Geoff Thompson, a spokesperson for the company that operates Brockton Health Center … ‘We expect by the end of this coming weekend we should have a very high number of residents cleared and who are COVID-free,’ Thompson said. ‘Fingers crossed, hopefully we’ve turned a corner.’”
101-Year-Old With ‘Superhuman DNA’ Who Dodged 1918 Flu Survives Coronavirus
“A 101-year-old upstate New York woman with ‘superhuman DNA’ not only beat the coronavirus, but knocked out cancer and lived through the 1918 Spanish flu … Angelina Friedman, a resident at a Mohegan Lake nursing home, tested positive for the COVID-19 bug last month but licked the deadly global pandemic last week – a feat that didn’t entirely surprise her family.”
10 Residents Recover From COVID-19 Outbreak In Ann Arbor Senior Home
“Residents of an Ann Arbor senior living facility that had a COVID-19 outbreak in early April have recovered, facility officials said. Ten residents are no longer ill from the novel coronavirus, officials at Glacier Hills said on Tuesday, April 21.”
Patient Recovers From COVID-19 Returns To Shelbina Nursing Home
“In Shelbina, Missouri, there are no reported COVID-19 cases inside the Salt River Community Care skilled nursing facility. But, that wasn’t the case last month … Administrator Chris Ratliff said a resident was diagnosed with COVID-19 and hospitalized … She said that the resident made a full recovery and is now back at the nursing home.”
Two Residents, Two Staff Members Recover From COVID-19 At Treyton Oak Towers
“Coronavirus patients have started to recover at one of Kentucky’s hardest hit nursing homes. Four people from Treyton Oak Towers in Louisville have now returned to the facility.”
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 or www.ncal.org.