Nursing Home Neglect Deaths Surge

In an article on November 19, 2020, the Associated Press reported in Not just COVID: Nursing home neglect deaths surge in shadows that in addition to over 90,000 deaths from COVID, there have been at least 40,000 excess deaths in…


Gov. Whitmer Extends EOs Protecting Nursing Home Residents and Staff from COVID-19

Governor Whitmer has signed Executive Order 2020-179 to continue to protect frontline workers in long-term care facilities. Executive Order 2020-179 will carry on protections for both staff and residents by requiring strong health and safety precautions such as testing, cleaning…


New bill increasing liability protections for care workers draws criticism

Donna MacKenzie was quoted last week in the Detroit News about the legislation headed to Governor Whitmer’s desk that  would increase liability protections for more health care workers and facilities that lawmakers said faced unprecedented challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. …


Nursing Home Immunity

Michigan Nursing Home Immunity – Should Nursing Homes be Shielded from COVID-19 Liability? Nursing home residents are at extraordinarily high risk for infection, a grave illness, and death from COVID-19.[1]  In fact, over one-third of all U.S. Coronavirus deaths have…


The Nursing Home COVID-19 Crisis: More is Needed to Protect Residents and Staff

On May 1, the Trump Administration announced a series of actions it is taking to address the rampant spread of the coronavirus in nursing homes. These actions include distribution of 14 days’ worth of PPE to each nursing home, money…


Request for CMS Action to Better Protect Nursing Facility Residents

Forty-five national and state organizations signed on to a letter that was sent today to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator. The letter advocates for better protections for nursing home residents and better support of residents’ ability…


Enhanced Protections for Residents and Staff of Long-Term Care Facilities during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Michigan

On April 15, 2020, Governor Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-50 to provide for enhanced protections for residents and staff of long-term care facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.  This Executive Order recognizes that the COVID-19 pandemic poses a particularly dire threat…


Staying Connected During Covid-19 Isolation

As we all are distancing ourselves, staying connected to each other can become more challenging. Below are creative ideas and practices for staying connected during this time of isolation. Send hand-written letters and cards. Use technology, such as video conferencing…


CARES Act Provides Funding and Support for Aging and Disability Networks; $20M for LTCOP

On March 27, 2020, the President signed into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The Act, which provides $2.2 trillion in total, directs $955 million to Administration for Community Living (ACL) programs. These funds will go…


Long Term Care Facilities CMS Flexibilities to Fight COVID-19

The Trump administration issued an unprecedented array of temporary regulatory waivers for skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) as part of its efforts to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the “Flexibilities” effective immediately: Non-SNF buildings may be temporarily certified as a…