Florida Dead Last On Nationwide Ranking Of Long-Term Care

The images – both visual and mental – coming from Florida’s long-term care facilities during the coronavirus pandemic have been heartbreaking. Elderly people trapped in their rooms 24 hours a day to stop the spread of the virus, with no social activities or dining-room meals to alleviate their loneliness.

Visits with family over streaming apps or through glass windows, no hugs or kisses allowed, for months until Gov. Ron DeSantis lifted restrictions. And the ever-present fear as the virus stalked the halls of residential facilities despite all precautions, claiming more than 8,000 lives in long-term care facilities across Florida.

The fear and isolation are so palpable that the normally stoic DeSantis almost wept when talking about it. “Many of the folks understand they have folks who are in the last stage of life. … They would just like to say goodbye, or hug somebody,” the governor said in a September press conference.

The governor was right. This is a bleak situation, made far worse by an underlying reality: Despite recurring scandals, Florida does a bad job of caring for its vulnerable senior citizens. The state lacks adequate access to quality long-term care, particularly for low-income families. Many lack confidence in the state’s ability to guard nursing-home residents from neglect and abuse. There aren’t enough resources to care for seniors in their homes and support family caregivers.

More: Florida is ranked dead last in care for its aging. How will you spend your last years?

That’s why – in a state that should have one of the best long-term care networks in the nation – Florida instead ranks dead last in a recent survey of long-term care and senior support services by AARP. Notably, the survey uses data collected before 2020, before the ravages of the pandemic made it clear that even high-rated facilities sometimes did a poor job of protecting their residents.

VIEW THE RANKINGS: AARP's long-term care scorecard

Lawmakers can’t ignore this issue in the coming session. It may seem daunting, especially since Florida’s virus-wrecked budget leaves little money to direct toward the problem. That should not stop DeSantis, legislators and other state leaders from confronting the enormity of the problem and identifying steps to do better.

They can start by examining options that could reduce expenses in the long run for the state and Florida’s families. Many seniors don’t want to move into assisted living facilities, nursing homes or other congregate living options. But they’re forced to because they don’t have the resources to remain in their homes. Some can’t drive and lack transportation. Others need help preparing meals, or monitoring health conditions. And many could stay home with just a little help from family members or friends – but those volunteer caregivers are worried that their employers won’t give them the leeway they need to care for their loved ones. In-home medical services can be expensive as well – but aren’t always covered by insurance.

Other states have tackled this issue with better protections and flexibility to make in-home care more affordable – and not all the solutions identified by AARP carry a price tag.

Smart reforms could keep large numbers of Floridians out of nursing homes. But for those who choose residential care or don’t have a choice, the state must offer better options and adequate oversight. The AARP rankings suggest several shortcomings. Long-term care is unaffordable for many Florida households, with annual costs that are double or triple an average income. But many middle-income seniors don’t qualify for Medicaid until they’ve completely exhausted their own resources.

Instead of tackling these big, systemic problems, Florida’s leaders have stumbled from crisis to crisis looking for quick fixes. The sight of dead and dying people being carried out of a Hollywood Hills rehabilitation center in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma prompted a requirement that all nursing homes install generators. It took awhile, but that measure worked – a state tracking website shows that all Florida long-term care facilities have at least a temporary generator onsite.

Florida leaders can build on this limited victory by evaluating what other states are doing to make life better for their senior populations. It’s a big task, but a critical one, and one that could save money while keeping the state’s aging population healthier, safer and happier.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Florida ranks dead last on a nationwide ranking of long-term care. How can we do better?

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