Senior living communities in Pennsylvania have worked tirelessly over the lengthy covid-19 pandemic to protect their residents and prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Unfortunately, while these communities have been quick to respond to the pandemic, the federal government continues to drag its feet in getting these caregivers the relief funding they desperately need.

Pennsylvania has more than 70,000 seniors who live in an assisted living or personal care facility. Out of the almost 1,200 facilities operating in the state, more than half are operating at a loss. The financial impact of covid on the assisted living and personal care industry in Pennsylvania is estimated at a staggering $2.1 billion. Monies from the federal Provider Relief Fund accounted for just $42.9 million of those losses; that’s just 2%.

On top of having no economic relief to support their continued operation, many facilities are seeing occupancy rates drop and are experiencing staffing issues. Even more frustrating for these communities is that a significant amount of the Provider Relief Fund is still sitting in government coffers and not being used to help caretakers.

Now, as Congress seeks to pass even more massive spending bills, there is a chance that assisted living and personal care facilities will be left out again. We need to include senior living communities as Congress writes this legislation, and the White House has to act on targeting existing covid relief to protect our loved ones. Let’s not leave them behind again.

Spencer Mandelbaum

McCandless

The writer is owner of Grace Manor at North Park.

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