AARP INDIANA CALLS FOR PUBLIC TRANSPARENCY ON COVID-19 IN LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES

AARP Indiana today sent a letter to Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb, the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH), and the Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) calling for more transparency about COVID-19 in long-term care facilities. Long-term care facilities include nursing, skilled nursing, residential, and assisted living facilities. Indiana is currently not publicly reporting the names of facilities where there have been positive cases of COVID-19 and deaths due to the virus.

Along with the letter, AARP Indiana State Director Sarah Waddle issued the following statement:

“Early in this outbreak we engaged in conversations with the administration on ways to assist individuals in long-term care facilities and their families during these unprecedented times. During these discussions, we expressed our support for the public reporting of the incidences of COVID-19 infections and deaths by facility. While the state has chosen to report aggregate data statewide, it is clear that more must be done to inform residents, families, and the public. Too much confusion exists and the simplest way to clear up that confusion is the public release of that data.

“This transparency is essential to protect residents in facilities and for families to make safe and informed choices about where their loved ones will receive care. But, it’s also necessary for all Hoosiers to know what is happening in their communities and have trust in their leaders. This information helps ensure that adequate supplies, such as virus tests and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), are deployed to facilities that need them the most.

“Governor Holcomb has shown a willingness to reexamine and adjust Indiana’s public health policies due to the rapidly changing landscape. AARP Indiana believes the time has come to make one of those adjustments.”

MORE RESOURCES
Full letter to Governor Eric Holcomb
Six questions to ask if you have a loved one in a nursing home

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