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Ducey needs to create long-term care safeguards
BY JACKIE GOODWIN Guest Writer
Nearly half a million Arizonans are living with Alzheimer’s or caring for a loved one with the disease. Prior to COVID-19, our state was grappling with how to prepare for an astounding 33% increase over the next five years in the population impacted by all dementias.
Today, as a direct result of COVID-19, we are facing dire consequences in congregate care settings—where nearly 500 high-risk sites (nursing homes and assisted-living communities) have reported COVID-19 outbreaks.
More startling is the number of seniors in hospitals today. Roughly 40% of all COVID-19 hospital inpatients are over the age of 65. We know—with age the greatest risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease, that a large number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients have dementia, along with other serious co-morbid conditions. Compounding the challenge is the disproportionate impact of Alzheimer’s disease and COVID-19 on the Latino community, with 38% of hospitalized Arizonans identifying as Hispanic.
As patients slowly recover, these 2,300-plus individuals will be discharged into congregate settings where personal protective equipment is in short supply and infection control protocols are changing by the day. Gov. Doug Ducey, in his May 4 executive order, acknowledged that
We Offer Virtual Now Offering Appointments! Virtual Appointments!
ASK US ABOUT TELEHEALTH! COVID-19 UPDATE: For patients continuing their care in our clinic, your health and ASK ABOUT TELEHEALTH! the health of our staff is our top priority! For patients continuing their care in our clinic, your health and Preferred Physical Therapy will continue to STAY OPEN to a the health of our staff is our top priority! We have shifted our operations limited number of appointments in consideration of keeping in consideration of keeping patients with musculoskeletal injuries patients with musculoskeletal injuries away from overloaded hospitals and clinics. away from overloaded hospitals and clinics. However, if you want to continue prioritizing your health AND are also practicing social If you want to continue prioritizing your health AND are also practicing social distancing
in an effort to flatten the curve, we have the solution for you:
distancing, we have the solution for you:
Preferred Physical Therapy is now offering TELEHEALTH visits! Preferred Physical Therapy offers TELEHEALTH visits! Attend a virtual appointment with one of our skilled providers! Please take advantage of our easy, accessible, virtual options – so you can stay active and independent, live free from pain killers Please take advantage of our easy, accessible, virtual options – so you can stay active and independent, live free from pain killers and avoid surgery (even if you’ve had pain for years)… and avoid surgery (even if you’ve had pain for years)… All from the comfort of your living room!
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To inquire more about telehealth or to book your FREE telehealth assessment telehealth assessment call the number below: Call the number below: (623) 466-6448 (623) 466-6448 We are standing by to assist you. We are standing by to assist you.
Author, Nick Hunter, is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and owner of Preferred Physical Therapy. He’s happy to Author, Nick Hunter, is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and owner of Preferred Physical Therapy. He’s happy to answer any questions about chronic pain by phone at (623) 466-6448 or check out his website: answer any questions about chronic pain by phone at (623) 466-6448 or check out his website:
www.preferredptaz.com. www.preferredptaz.com.
these settings “pose a higher risk for the transmission and severe outcomes associated with COVID-19,” as these are “homes for some of our most vulnerable populations.”
As a volunteer advocate for the Alzheimer’s Association and former caregiver for my mother, I’m calling on my state to put in place long-term care safeguards to protect residents in danger of COVID-19. I urge Gov. Ducey and legislative leaders to form a statewide interdepartmental LongTerm Care Emergency Response Task Force to closely examine the entire continuum from home, to hospital, to congregate settings. We need a holistic view to ensure patients aren’t caught in the middle of surge activity, placing frail elders in peril when we should be protecting them instead.
The Alzheimer’s Association works in all 50 states and has learnings from places like New York that Arizona can avoid. To see its comprehensive COVID-19 LTC recommendations, visit alz.org.
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