nursing homes

The amended version of the bill reduces -- but does not eliminate -- the care that residents must get from certified nursing assistants. Those nursing hours would drop from 2 1/2 to 2 hours a day.

As the delta variant of the coronavirus caused Florida to become a hotspot for COVID-19 in late July and August, the state’s nursing homes felt the brunt. Using federal data, the senior-advocacy group AARP released a report Wednesday.

Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration wants to make it easier for residents of long-term care facilities to reunite with families for the holidays --- even it means forgoing COVID-19 testing.

Tallahassee Community College has announced a partnership with Miracle Hill Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for a week of service. TCC students are asked to write letters, send a greeting card, or draw a picture for a senior resident at Miracle Hill by this Thursday at 4 p.m.

Top health care regulators in the Gov. Ron DeSantis administration discussed a limited reopening of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities that would not require COVID-19 screening for visitors.

The state is requiring nursing homes and assisted-living facilities to bar visitors from entering to prevent COVID-19 from spreading. Family advocates say that cuts out some of the key people who hold these facilities accountable. However, industry representatives argue, residents have more eyes on them now than ever as state teams enter facilities to help stop the spread of the coronavirus.

In Florida, more than 600 residents in nursing homes have died from COVID-19. Over the past few months, the state has put rules in place to protect the vulnerable residents. Some of those changes include restricting visitors, requiring staff to be screened, and wearing masks. Now, Gov. Ron DeSantis wants to open these facilities back up to visitors.

Senior Care advocates are concerned about how nursing homes are treating residents during the pandemic. There is currently a state order barring visitors to nursing homes in an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19.

In an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in long-term care facilities, the Florida Agency for Healthcare Administration has issued an emergency order requiring all facilities to open their doors to state health workers.

Florida health officials have suspended the license of two nursing home administrators and placed a moratorium on new residents at Cross Landings Health…