Caregiving

AARP Deeply Concerned by Cuts to Medicaid-Funded Long-Term Care; Urges Revisiting in Near Future

The pictures, maybe you’ve seen them. Sons and daughters, moms and dads, husbands and wives – separated by a glass window. This is how some family members are visiting loved ones living in Minnesota’s nursing home and assisted living facilities during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. And as heartbreaking as these pictures are, worse are the stories of people dying alone and of goodbyes not said.

On Friday, March 27, AARP New Jersey hosted a coronavirus Telephone Town Hall with Governor Phil Murphy, New Jersey Department of Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli and New Jersey Department of Human Services Commissioner Carole Johnson. Listen here to a recording of the live conversation.

Thursday, April 2, 1 p.m. ET

The Coalition for Silver Solutions, a coalition of senior care providers, labor and consumer organizations, succeeded in getting legislative approval for key initiatives to improve how Florida’s 2-million-plus frail elders receive supportive care.

Free Online Platforms Lets Users Organize and Connect With Local Volunteer Groups

WASHINGTON—AARP Community Connections, a new online platform launched by AARP Innovation Labs today, allows users to organize and find local volunteer groups to help pick up groceries, provide financial assistance or lend emotional support to neighbors, friends and loved ones. Across the country, these informal online groups—also called “mutual aid” groups—help communities stay connected at a time when people must practice social distancing to stay safe.

Guide can help families locate the assistance they need, help them connect with others, empower them and give them hope. Find link to guide here.

Experts share information about COVID-19 and how to protect yourself

AARP Connecticut has called on policy makers to take action to ensure the 22,000 nursing home residents in Connecticut and their loved ones can safely stay in contact during the COVID-19 pandemic. On March 20, 2020, AARP Connecticut sent a letter to the state’s Governor and Commissioner of Public Health strongly recommending modifications to a March 13, 2020, Public Health Order banning visitors to nursing homes, including residents’ immediate family and caregivers. For example, requiring nursing homes to offer and facilitate virtual video visitation, as well as other enhanced communications, will help prevent social isolation, reduce anxiety, and promote safety, among other benefits. In addition, AARP Connecticut provided testimony to the Human Services Committee of the Connecticut General Assembly strongly recommending allowing passive video monitoring in nursing homes. AARP Connecticut followed this with an email to every member of the Connecticut General Assembly on March 23, 2020, asking that any legislative action in response to COVID-19 codify these recommendations.