• Tel (781) 344-2886
  • Email info@brc-law.com

Law Offices of Barry R. Crimmins

Barry Crimmins

  • Practice Areas
  • Firm Overview
    • News
  • Current Projects
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
    • Stoughton, MA
    • Hyannis, MA
    • Falmouth, MA
Slide background
Legal Expertise, Personally.
Attorney Barry R. Crimmins is someone that you can depend on personally.
We take a small town approach to our client relationships and carry that personal
commitment into all of our cases.
Slide background
Life Happens. We Help You Plan For It.
The many stages of life present a variety of legal implications. Guidance on
Estate Planning and Administration, Medicaid and Elder Law issues are our focus.
Slide background
Real Estate Transactions, Permitting and
Development.
Whether commercial or residential, we have extensive experience in all aspects
of real estate law.

Feds Advise Nursing Homes on Reducing Winter COVID Infections

February 17, 2023 By Barry Crimmins

Nursing home staff helps senior in wheelchair, both of them wearing masks, complete paperwork.In the new year, the country continues to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently released guidance to nursing homes and long-term care facilities on practical steps they can take to help reduce the COVID-19 infection rates among residents and staff this winter.

The HHS encouraged nursing homes and long-term care facilities to focus on achieving three goals meant to reduce the hospitalization and death rate among its residents, the population most vulnerable to severe complications from COVID-19 exposure. Nursing homes and long-term care facilities are being advised to focus on these three goals:

  • Help residents and staff access updated COVID-19 vaccines
  • Increase access to testing and awareness of treatment options
  • Improve air quality in nursing homes and long-term care facilities

These practical steps can promote healthy living for older Americans and the professionals that care for them in these facilities, HHS says.

Helping Residents and Staff Access Updated COVID Vaccines

Since the initial nationwide push to get people vaccinated against COVID-19, the rate of nursing home residents getting boosters dropped to 42 percent, and the rate of nursing home staff that received updated COVID-19 vaccines dropped to 10 percent.

The Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) reported that increased access to COVID-19 vaccines and education about the need for boosters and updated vaccines correlated to decreased infection rates. The HHS guidelines recommend that:

  • Nursing homes and long-term care facilities offer updated COVID-19 vaccines throughout the winter
  • Residential facilities partner with vaccine providers to create on-site vaccine clinics
  • Care facilities educate residents and staff about the need for annual flu shots and updated COVID-19 vaccines

Increasing Access to Testing and Awareness of Treatment Options

Prompt testing and effective treatment are necessary to reducing the spread of COVID-19. According to HHS, residential facilities should ensure each resident and staff member who shows symptoms gets tested.

Nursing homes and long-term care providers should also explain to residents or staff their treatment options and other available resources. Among these resources are the following:

  • Weekly tests kits are available, free from the federal government, to nursing homes and long-term care facilities
  • Telehealth and virtual care options for COVID-19 evaluation and treatment
  • Free at-home test kits available for residents through their health insurance

Improving Air Quality in Nursing Homes and Long-Term Care Facilities

Improving air quality is correlated with decreasing the transmission rate of COVID-19, influenza, and other respiratory diseases. Health care facilities are also being encouraged by the HHS to improve air quality in their facilities. Nursing homes and long-term care facilities can improve their air quality by:

  • Using portable air cleaners in dining, recreation, and resident rooms and other areas where people congregate
  • Using ceiling fans where available
  • Scheduling an inspection for the HVAC system
  • Replacing air filters in ventilation systems
  • Using restroom fans or kitchen vents to remove contaminated air
  • Repairing or replacing broken or damaged windows and doors to promote air ventilation

In acting on the above guidance, the HHS states, nursing homes and long-term care facilities can help decrease the rate of COVID-19 exposure and infection among the population of Americans most vulnerable to the effects of the disease.

Filed Under: blogs

Contact Us Today

  • We are happy to discuss any legal concerns with you.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Communication of information through this website does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Recent Posts

Elder Law News, October 2023

Getting older comes with opportunities and challenges, but fear not, we have your back! Are you concerned about Alzheimer’s? While there’s no known cure, proactive steps can help with prevention. Meanwhile, guess what? Signing up for Medicare Savings Programs just got simpler! The Feds have streamlined the process, making it easier to tap into helpful benefits.

Elder Law News, July 2023

Looping our readers in on the issues that impact the senior community is always a priority. And this month, there’s much to share.

June newsletter

Elder Law News, June 2023

As a trusted counsel for all things relating to eldercare in Massachusetts, I wanted to share pressing topics impacting our beloved seniors.

march newsletter

Elder Law News, March 2023

As the generation of Baby Boomers ages, many are finding their adult children aren’t in the financial position to provide support if long-term care is needed.

BRC Newsletter March

Elder Law News, September 2022

As the generation of Baby Boomers ages, many are finding their adult children aren’t in the financial position to provide support if long-term care is needed.

Our expertise includes Real Estate Law and Land Use Permitting, Estate Planning and Estate Administration, with an emphasis on Elder Law and Medicaid Planning.
Practice Areas
We've developed a reputation for excellent service in these areas of the law through more than 35 years of experience.
Our Attorneys
The legal services from the Law Offices of Barry R. Crimmins, P.C. in Stoughton, Falmouth and Hyannis Massachusetts
Our Locations

Recent News

Law Offices of Barry R. Crimmins, PC

Elder Law News, October 2023

Getting older comes with opportunities and challenges, but fear not, we have your back! Are you concerned about Alzheimer’s? While there’s no known cure, proactive steps can help with prevention. Meanwhile, guess what? Signing up for Medicare Savings Programs just got simpler! The Feds have streamlined the process, making it easier to tap into helpful benefits.

Elder Law News, July 2023

Looping our readers in on the issues that impact the senior community is always a priority. And this month, there’s much to share.

June newsletter

Elder Law News, June 2023

As a trusted counsel for all things relating to eldercare in Massachusetts, I wanted to share pressing topics impacting our beloved seniors.

march newsletter

Elder Law News, March 2023

As the generation of Baby Boomers ages, many are finding their adult children aren’t in the financial position to provide support if long-term care is needed.

BRC Newsletter March

Elder Law News, September 2022

As the generation of Baby Boomers ages, many are finding their adult children aren’t in the financial position to provide support if long-term care is needed.

Links

  • Home
  • News
  • Site map
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Contact Us

  • 909 Washington Street, Stoughton, MA 02072
  • 1436 Iyannough Road, Hyannis, MA 02601
  • 20 Academy Lane, Falmouth, MA 02540
  • Phone: (781) 344-2886
  • Email: info@brc-law.com

Follow Us:

  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin

Estate Planning

  • Estate Planning
  • Estate Administration
  • Elder Law
  • Medicaid Planning

Real Estate

  • Land Use Permitting
  • Landlord – Tenant
  • Purchase & Sale Agreements
© Copyright [year] Law Offices of Barry R. Crimmins, P.C. All rights reserved.
Site Maintained by Interactive Palette