Long-term care facilities continue to respond as COVID-19 cases surge

Long-term care facilities, including assisted living facilities and nursing homes, have been heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. (AP photo)

Long-term care facilities, including assisted living facilities and nursing homes, have been heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, at the end of 2021, 23% of all COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. were linked to COVID cases at long-term care facilities.

On Wednesday’s edition of Closer Look,” Melanie McNeil, Georgia’s long-term care ombudsman, talked with program host Rose Scott about the ongoing challenges that staff, residents, and families have had to navigate amid the deadly outbreak along with the rise of the omicron variant and what’s being done to combat the spread.

McNeil further explained that the pandemic has been extremely tough for long-term care residents.

“If you have a loved one or a friend in a long-term care facility, do what you can to visit them because they’ve been isolated for a while,” said McNeil.

To listen to the full conversation, click the audio player.