An 89-year-old widow on Long Island lost most of her savings after paying nearly $1 million for a retirement home that went bankrupt, highlighting the financial risks faced by residents of failing continuing-care retirement communities (CCRCs) across the U.S., which have collectively lost over $190 million since 2020 due to bankruptcies and inadequate protections.
Fire crews in Cathedral City, California, rescued over 40 people, including a group of elderly residents trapped in a care home, during severe flooding caused by Tropical Storm Hilary. The rescue operation involved the use of a bulldozer and an earthmover provided by community partners. The residents were safely evacuated and moved to other facilities. Only one person required medical attention and was airlifted to a hospital. The fire department is now in the recovery phase, assessing the situation and finding solutions. The storm also caused road closures and disruptions to public transportation in the area.
A study analyzing prescribing data from nursing homes revealed that a low percentage of elderly residents with COVID-19 received antiviral treatments, including the highly effective Paxlovid pill from Pfizer. Only about 25% of residents were prescribed any antiviral medication between May 2021 and December 2022, despite Paxlovid being widely available. The underuse of Paxlovid in nursing homes likely resulted in avoidable mortality. Challenges with supply, prescribing guidance, and clinician familiarity with antiviral treatments may have contributed to the low usage. Facilities with geriatricians and non-profit organizations performed better in administering antivirals, while Medicaid recipients and non-White residents received the drugs at lower rates.
