Coronavirus

Visit the AHCA/NCAL Coronavirus website daily for the latest information that we have to share with long term care providers about COVID-19.  As concerns arise with the emerging coronavirus, officially named COVID-19, we are working nationally with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to ensure our long term care communities receive necessary supplies and guidance to prevent the spread of this disease.

COVID-19 Stories of Recovery Needed

AHCA/NCAL would like to share stories about those in member centers, residents or staff, who have recovered from COVID-19.  If you have such a story now or in the future, you can send the following information to storiesofcare@ahca.org.  Please include the following details.

• Name of facility and location
• Point of contact – name, title, email address, phone number
• Stories of residents or staff who have recovered from COVID-19
• Confirmation if it is alright for AHCA/NCAL to reference this story publicly in the media

At this point, AHCA/NCAL is not able to guarantee that a specific story will be published.  Compiling these stories will at the very least provide documentation that recovery is happening.

Hilton, American Express, and Marriott Provide Support Amid COVID-19

Hilton’s Rooms Donation Program to Frontline Medical Workers 

Hilton and American Express have partnered to donate up to one million free hotel nights to our association and other frontline medical professionals, so you can have a safe and welcoming place to stay as you support those impacted by COVID-19.

Bookings can be made for up to 7 consecutive nights at a time and are currently open through May 9th. The program will run through May 31st with rooms being added through the end of May on a rolling basis, subject to availability.

To search available hotels and book, log in on AHCA/NCAL’s website, and go to www.ahcancal.org/Hilton-Partnership to find a link to the program. Hilton has required that participating associations limit the offer to members to help ensure that the offer gets to who it was intended to reach – frontline health care workers treating COVID-19.

Marriott Community Caregivers Rate
Marriott is offering a “Community Caregivers Rate” to expedite the booking process for healthcare and relief professionals and support staff. This rate will be available from March 26, 2020 through June 30, 2020 at participating hotels.  

Having trouble logging into our website? Go to our Member Dashboard forassistance. Please email COVID19@ahca.org for additional questions, or visit ahcancal.org/coronavirus for more information.

We Need You for Our Social Media Initiative

AHCA/NCAL began a social media advocacy initiative last year and is encouraging all members to get involved.  The effort focuses on improving the overall image of the post-acute and long term care profession by sharing positive stories and pushing back on pieces that attempt to tie all providers to isolated negative events.

AHCA/NCAL will be sending interested members tips for getting more involved on social media, best practices for posting content, sample posts, and a roundup of positive stories about the profession on a regular basis. Individuals who want to get involved should email socialmedia@ahca.org to get on the mailing list.

The campaign also will include a rapid response to stories that are unfairly negative about the profession or do not accurately portray the reality of post-acute and long term care.  AHCA/NCAL hopes to build on these successes as the year continues. With thousands of buildings nationwide who touch the lives of millions of people, there is the chance to seriously affect the way the profession is viewed and treated by lawmakers and the media.

Articles and Resources of Interest

• New COVID-19 Resources
• A Virtual Continuing Education Opportunity that Delivers Variety, Flexibility, and Quality with 70 Course Offerings
• Update on National Skilled Nursing Care Week May 10-16, 2020
• Update on Personal Protective Equipment
• AHCA/NCAL Honors America’s Long Term Care Professionals During Careers in Aging Week
• Long Term Care Needs More Testing to Protect Residents and Save Lives

Legislative and Agency Corner

• CMS Memo on Reporting Confirmed Cases
• CDC Return to Work Guidance: Contingency & Crisis Strategies
• Response to COVID-19 in New York’s Long Term Care Facilities Requires Continued Partnership with Federal and State Leaders

2020 Health Care Observances

May 2020 marks, among other observances, Better Hearing and Speech Month (BHSM), Healthy Vision Month (HVM), National American Stroke Month, National Melanoma/Skin Cancer Awareness Month and National Mental Health Month.  The 2020 Healthcare Observances Calendar can be found here.