Advocacy

The COVID-19 pandemic has been an unprecedented public health crisis, and despite the best efforts of government officials and healthcare workers, nearly 13,000 Connecticut nursing home residents have contracted the virus since March, and more than 3,600 residents have died. These devastating losses have exposed long-standing and serious deficiencies in the systems that we rely on to serve older adults and people with disabilities.

In light of the many challenges the state must confront in determining how to equitably, safely and effectively distribute COVID-19 vaccines, AARP Connecticut sent the letter below to Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont.

The pandemic has underscored chronic issues such as staffing shortages, low wages for caregivers, and inadequate supplies of personal protective equipment.

AARP leaders nationwide meet remotely with Senate, House offices, as COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes exceed 100,000

AARP Connecticut is pleased that the State has convened a Nursing Home and Assisted Living Oversight Working Group to discuss the impact of COVID-19 and how to protect residents moving forward. However, we are very disappointed that this working group, despite having 34 members, does not include a single person who resides in a nursing home or assisted living facility, or who receives long-term supports and services in a community setting.

Majority Believe it is More Important in Light of Pandemic

AARP Connecticut commends Governor Ned Lamont and the Connecticut General Assembly on the decision to address four urgent issues during an upcoming special session: expanding absentee voting for the November election, making telehealth more accessible, capping the cost of insulin, and police accountability. AARP Connecticut recognizes the importance of these topics and supports their inclusion in a special session, but the state’s legislative leaders missed an opportunity to tackle the critical issues impacting those in nursing home and residential care facilities.

The significant and unprecedented challenges nursing homes and other residential care facilities are facing due to the pandemic has created an urgent and vital need for increased accountability to ensure the safety and health of their residents. The June 8 Washington Post article (As nursing home residents died, new covid-19 protections shielded companies from lawsuits. Families say that hides the truth.) illustrates the urgent need for policy changes.

AARP Connecticut has recently met virtually with federal lawmakers to urge more help for older Americans and their families as they face growing health and economic challenges due to the coronavirus crisis. Residents in nursing homes, those who are food-insecure, and people who have lost their jobs are particularly in need.

On April 30, 2020, AARP Connecticut State Director Nora Duncan sent the letter below to Governor Ned Lamont strongly recommending immediate actions related to the August 11, 2020, and November 3, 2020, elections that will provide Connecticut’s older adults and those at most risk from COVID-19 access to voting while ensuring their health protection.