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LeadingAge
Pandemic Playbook
For all Americans—especially those who care about older adults—2020 will be remembered as a year of anxiety, stress, fear, and grief. The worst pandemic in a century brought isolation, illness, and death to too many older adults and the people who care for them in all settings around the country.
LeadingAge knows that this year has challenged the operations, finances, creativity, and nimbleness of aging services providers. That’s why we are proud to present this interactive collection of insight, wisdom, and critical lessons LeadingAge members have learned about serving older adults during a catastrophic health crisis. The Pandemic Playbook will help ensure that providers can prepare for and mitigate the impact of a future pandemic.
Start Reading Watch the VideoChapter 1 - Introduction
As we rang in a new decade, the economy was thriving, employment was at nearly 96.5%, and longevity was predictable for many who embrace a healthy lifestyle. Weeks later, a serious respiratory infection was reported to the World Health Organization by China. The rapid viral spread, lack of effective treatment, and voluminous loss of life rocked the world, and the most vulnerable individuals were identified as older adults and persons with pre-existing health conditions.Chapter 2 - Management and Crisis Intervention
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Chapter 2 - Management and Crisis Intervention
The management of housing and services for older adults requires a level of personal commitment that is more of a “calling” than a “job”—and that is in the best of times. The onset of a completely unforeseen pandemic poses a leadership challenge beyond the scope of textbook knowledge. It calls for quick thinking, fast action, leading by example, and proactive planning for tomorrow. COVID-19 caught our health care system unprepared, stretched, and grossly unsupported over a long period of time. This section provides guidance to assist management and boards in leading with knowledge, empathy, and resilience.Chapter 3 - Clinical Impact, Infection Control, and Vaccination
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Chapter 3 - Clinical Impact, Infection Control, and Vaccination
Infections are common in long-term care facilities. Staff are trained to respond to outbreaks of respiratory tract infections, influenza A, and gastrointestinal infections. In 2020, we dealt with the outbreak of a global pandemic that stressed all systems. We were little prepared with experience, guidance, testing or personal protective equipment (PPE). LTSS providers needed to learn how to prevent, prepare, mitigate, test, isolate, and care for COVID-19-positive cases among both residents and staff with little direction or support.Chapter 4 - Financial Impact and Strategies
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Chapter 4 - Financial Impact and Strategies
In the event of a pandemic, adeptly managing cash flow and debt leverage can become vitally important to the financial sustainability of an aging services organization. Providers should be prepared to see potentially large increases in expenses to respond to the pandemic, as well as an equivalent decrease in revenue collection, depending on the provider’s ability to maintain services. Considerations such as occupancy of congregate living settings, modifications to service delivery to maintain revenue, and capitalization of federal and state emergency grants should be carefully weighed and structured. Telehealth and other virtual service delivery methods may become essential to continue operations.Chapter 5 - Transparent Communications—Internal and External
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Chapter 5 - Transparent Communications—Internal and External
During the coronavirus pandemic of 2020, LeadingAge members found themselves in an information universe changing faster than ever before. Understanding of the virus, epidemiological advice, government guidelines and regulations, and the progress of infections changed constantly.Chapter 6 - Technology Applications and Telehealth
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Chapter 6 - Technology Applications and Telehealth
Technology is playing a significant role during the Covid-19 pandemic. For example, staff that are not providing direct care or hands-on services can now safely work from home by leveraging technology. Residents can use video chat technology to communicate and stay socially connected and engaged with family, friends, and staff while social distancing. Screening and contact-tracing technology can be used to minimize chances of bringing the virus into communities, and contact tracing in case of exposure.Chapter 7 - Workforce Management and Support
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Chapter 7 - Workforce Management and Support
Your employees are the foundation of your success as a community during an ongoing crisis. All on-site staff are at risk for contracting an infectious disease, not only in their care and service settings, but also in their own homes and communities. As a result, attention to your staff is critical on a number of fronts.Chapter 8 - Wellness of Staff and Residents—Physical and Psychological
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Chapter 8 - Wellness of Staff and Residents—Physical and Psychological
An organization that dedicates time, resources, and attention to the holistic well-being of persons served, staff, and other stakeholders may find that it is one of its wisest and most prudent investments. Promoting individual and collective wellness during a pandemic or other emergency is also a powerful way to build a sense of community. Organizations may find that sharing wellness resources among persons served and staff helps to form and strengthen bonds that enable everyone to find common ground. Circumstances may make it necessary to quickly shift wellness offerings into a different form or format, and the use of technology in this realm may prove to be essential in maintaining wellness offerings.Chapter 9 - Reopen, Recover, Reimagine: Moving Forward Together
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Chapter 9 - Reopen, Recover, Reimagine: Moving Forward Together
In the event of a pandemic that involves a highly contagious infectious disease, resuming “normal” operations for an aging services provider will greatly depend on reliable testing and contact tracing. Scientific study and research will drive this purpose, as will understanding about the disease itself, and how it can be detected, improves and solidifies. Organizations will need to identify reliable sources of infectious disease information/data and will need to collaborate closely with state and local health agencies to ascertain the appropriate methods for testing and contact tracing.Chapter 10 - Provider-Specific Guidance
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Chapter 10 - Provider-Specific Guidance
By intent, the vast majority of this Pandemic Playbook addresses topics that are of interest and applicable to providers of long-term services and supports across all types and locations. The topics, issues, and lessons learned may be of value to a range of providers from home-based caregivers to hospital-based systems of health care.Chapter 11 - Appendix
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