The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), representing more than 14,000 nursing homes and long term care facilities in the United States that provide care to approximately five million people each year, released a report on March 30, 2021 that found that nursing homes in the United States continue to see a rapid decline in new COVID-19 cases due to initial vaccine allocations prioritized for nursing homes. Recent CMS data shows that nursing homes have seen a 96% decline in new COVID cases among residents since the peak during the week of December 20, 2020, when there were more than 30,000 new resident cases. Along with the lowest number of new COVID cases, AHCA/NCAL’s new report shows COVID-related deaths in nursing homes declined by 91% since December 20, 2020.
The President and CEO of AHCA/NCAL stated, “We are not out of the woods yet, but these numbers are incredibly encouraging and a major morale booster for frontline caregivers who have been working tirelessly for more than a year to protect our residents. This trend shows that when long term care is prioritized, as with the national vaccine rollout, we can protect our vulnerable elderly population.”
Nursing home occupancy in the United States has fallen from 80.2% in 2019 to 68.8% on March 14, 2021. There are 15,655 skilled nursing care centers in the United States that provide 1.7 million beds. 21% of the skilled nursing care centers are located in major cities, 20% are located in the outskirts of major cities, 11% are in smaller cities, 14% are in towns, and 15% are located in rural areas. 44% of the 3.9 million short-stay or post-acute and long-term rehabilitation and long term nursing home residents receive post-acute rehabilitative care, with 22% staying less than 100 days and 78% staying 100 days or more. 57% of the residents receive care paid by Medicaid, 14% have their nursing home care paid by Medicare, and 29% have their care paid by private health insurance plans, other payers, and private individuals.
AHCA/NCAL states on its website: “AHCA/NCAL represents the long term care community to the nation at large – to government, business leaders, and the general public. We serve as a force for change, providing information, education, and administrative tools that enhance quality at every level. As part of our extensive portfolio of member services, AHCA/NCAL maintains legislative, regulatory and public affairs. Our dedicated staff work both internally and externally to assist member providers, the government, and the general public.”

If you or a loved one suffered injuries (or worse) while a resident of a nursing home in the United States due to COVID, nursing home resident dumping, nursing home neglect, nursing home negligence, nursing home abuse, a nursing home fall, or nursing home understaffing, you should promptly contact a nursing home claim attorney in your state who may investigate your nursing home claim for you and file a nursing home claim on your behalf or on behalf of your loved one, if appropriate.

Visit our website to be connected with medical malpractice lawyers (nursing home claim lawyers) in your U.S. state who may assist you with your nursing home claim, or call us toll-free in the United States at 800-295-3959.

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