Nursing Homes

Advocates for nursing home residents and union representatives say President Joe Biden's order that nursing homes require employees to get the COVID-19 vaccine will help keep the coronavirus from spreading.

This spring, Missouri nursing homes reported COVID cases in the teens and 20s each week. In the last week of July, the virus was confirmed among 123 residents.

Missouri’s vaccination rate for nursing home staff is among the lowest in the nation, ahead of only Florida and Louisiana.

Marjorie Moore, executive director of VOYCE, a nonprofit that advocates for nursing home residents, said the facilities are trying to keep residents and workers safe as infections rise.

The state should focus on home and community based services more than institutions for eldercare.

According to data collected by HFS between March and July 2020, 60% of COVID-related deaths of nursing home residents on Medicaid occurred at facilities where at least 10% of residents lived in rooms with three-plus people.

Missouri lawmakers are considering legislation that would shield nursing homes and other businesses from coronavirus-related lawsuits. Some advocates worry the proposal will prevent nursing home residents from holding facilities legally responsible for abuse and neglect.

New guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services are permitting indoor visits in nursing homes. Missouri health officials are following federal guidelines in new recommendations for nursing homes and long-term care facilities.

At least 818 nursing home residents tested positive for the coronavirus in St. Louis County nursing homes in December. That’s about 200 fewer infections than were reported in November.

Vaccinations will begin on Dec. 28, CVS Health said. Nearly 600 Missouri skilled nursing and assisted living facilities have partnered with the health care company.