Together, we will overcome

CHAA operators that experienced outbreaks early in the pandemic openly shared their painful discoveries and lessons learned with other CHAA member organizations to prevent similar tragedies. They shared masks, digital thermometers, and cleaning supplies with each other when supplies were scarce. Operators shared the platforms they used to set up family communication networks. They sent staff to each others’ sites to provide emergency relief and infection expertise.

We committed, collectively, to do our absolute best to work toward no lives lost. No staff harmed. No family left alone. No site left unsupported. No operator left behind.

Financial supports

As the pandemic worsened, operators became acutely aware of the growing cost of infection control. Extra staffing and overtime, covering for absences, separating residents to prevent transmission, PPE, and enhanced cleaning and laundry service were essential to maintain over the long term but were far beyond the usual funding provided for care delivery.

CHAA and our operators played a leadership role in quantifying the costs of outbreak prevention and outbreak management — and were able to make a case to government for emergency funding to ensure operators could continue to implement the most effective control measures at the point of care. Our operators collaborated to develop a proposed funding model and reporting template to ensure full financial accountability and reporting on extraordinary COVID costs. These efforts helped secure a critical emergency COVID-19 fund for the entire continuing care sector.

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