Congress Fails Seniors and Caregivers in COVID Relief Package
March 4, 2021
Alexandria, Va., — Seniors and their caregivers will be left behind in a $1.9 trillion rescue package that Congress is expected to pass this weekend. Last week, the only proposed funds to support long-term care providers in the American Rescue Plan were eliminated due to “jurisdictional issues,” prior to the House advancing it to the…
Seniors and Caregivers Continue to be Overlooked in COVID-19 Relief Negotiations
February 12, 2021
Alexandria, Va., Feb. 12, 2021 — Now a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of assisted living facilities are still waiting for federal COVID-19 relief, and for over half of them, closures are imminent, according to a recent Argentum member survey. They have faced over $15 billion in increased expenses and lost revenue, and these…
A Review of Biden’s American Rescue Plan and Its Impact for Senior Living
January 15, 2021
Last night, President-elect Biden released his proposed $1.9 trillion relief package that includes $415 billion focused on combating the COVID-19 pandemic, over $1 trillion in direct aid to individuals and families, and $440 billion in assistance to businesses. The plan is sweeping and proposes large-scale spending items such as $1,400 in additional stimulus checks, an extension…
New Argentum Advocates Program Aims to Bring More Voices Directly to Lawmakers
January 14, 2021
(Alexandria, Va.) – The COVID-19 pandemic has put a spotlight on the long-term care industry through the media and on Capitol Hill. As a result, it’s more critical than ever that the industry unites to tell the story of senior living. Leading the effort, Argentum has launched a new Argentum Advocates program, focused on sharing critical…
The 2020 Federal Election and the Senior Living Public Policy Roadmap
January 8, 2021
Overview The impact of the 2020 election will present a challenging public policy environment for senior living, unlike any it has seen over the last thirty-plus years. The result of a new administration and the flip of the U.S. Senate from Republican to Democratic control, will potentially result in increased oversight and regulation at the…
The Essential Caregiver Program: An Idea Whose Time Has Come
December 21, 2020
The Essential Caregiver (EC) program is a simple concept: Allow a single person, a family member or loved one, to have a controlled visit and help someone in senior living, even during times of restricted visitation, in order to counter the often severely detrimental health effects of loneliness and social isolation. But the implementation of…
Long-Term Care and Senior Living Leaders Emphasize Need for Residents and Staff to Receive Prioritization for COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution
November 30, 2020
Washington, D.C. – The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), LeadingAge, Argentum and the American Seniors Housing Association (ASHA) released a joint statement today regarding distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine: “Since the start of the pandemic, heroic caregivers in long-term care and senior living communities have done everything in their…
What a Biden Administration May Mean for Senior Living
November 7, 2020
With several news outlets now calling the presidency for former Vice President Joe Biden, what can those across senior living expect from his Administration? Argentum continues to focus on COVID-19 and educating federal officials about the importance of processing relief payments, obtaining additional financial resources and testing support, preparing vaccine management, and instituting reasonable liability…
The Impact of the Election on Senior Living
November 4, 2020
As of this writing, the election results to determine the next president are still too close to call, with several battleground states still tabulating final vote totals. Regardless of the outcome of the presidential election, the priorities and needs of our communities and the residents they care for remain the same. We are continuing to…
Many Senior Living Communities Are Still Waiting for Essential Financial Relief in the Wake of COVID-19
November 2, 2020
(Alexandria, Va.) – Despite caring for the population most vulnerable to COVID-19, many assisted living providers are still waiting for financial relief, according to a new survey conducted by Argentum. To date, assisted living providers are expected to receive about $3 billion from the CARES Act Provider Relief Fund while other providers, including hospitals and…
Argentum Releases Essential Caregiver Toolkit to Encourage Safer Visitation and Reduce Health Risks of Social Isolation on Older Adults
October 7, 2020
(Alexandria, Va.) – In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, social isolation and loneliness for senior living residents have risen as visitation from loved ones has been curtailed. Social isolation in older adults is well-documented to increase risk of premature death—as harmful as high blood pressure, according to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. But COVID-19…
Argentum Announces Maggie Elehwany, J.D., as Senior Vice President, Public Affairs
September 7, 2020
(Alexandria, Va.) — Argentum is pleased to announce that Maggie Elehwany, J.D., has joined the association in the newly created role of senior vice president, public affairs. In this role, she will be responsible for leading Argentum’s public policy team and working closely with Argentum’s Public Policy Committee to build upon the association’s government relations…