As nursing homes wait for COVID-19 vaccines, they face dire staffing, financial challenges
The New Hampshire Veterans Home in Tilton on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020. Geoff Forester
Published: 12/15/2020 3:33:14 PM
Hope for the end of the pandemic has arrived in New Hampshire as the state begins to distribute more than 12,000 vaccines. Nursing homes in the state, however, are still grappling with the ongoing fallout from outbreaks that have ravaged their facilities and are wondering when their vaccines will arrive.
Many doses in the first wave of vaccines are expected to go to front line workers in long term care facilities. Yet several nursing homes in the Granite State say they’ve been left in the dark about when their staff will receive the shots. Patricia Ramsey, the owner of Edgewood Centre in Portsmouth, said several nursing homes including her own haven’t been contacted to schedule vaccination appointments.
FEMA sending staff to assist at some New Hampshire long-term care facilities
National Guard also assisting Updated: 7:03 PM EST Dec 15, 2020
National Guard also assisting Updated: 7:03 PM EST Dec 15, 2020
Hide Transcript
Show Transcript VACCINE NOW SOME FACILITIES ARE , GETTING HELP IN THE FORM OF EXTRA HANDS, FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. HAPPY TO HAVE NURSES STAY. REPORTER: MUCH NEEDED HELP FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHOWING UP TO SOME OF NEW HAMPSHIRE’S LONG TERM CARE FACILITIES THIS MONTH. FEMA SENDING TEN UNITED STATES PUBLIC HEALTH NURSES AND TWO HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SUPPORT STAFF TO FACILITIES IN HANOVER, MANCHESTER AND BEDFORD. HANOVER TERRACE SAYS 4 REGISTERED NURSES STARTED WORK TODAY AND CAN STAY FOR UP TO 30 DAYS. FIVE RESIDENTS HAVE DIED FROM COVID-19 THERE AND MORE THAN 60 RESIDENTS HAVE THE VIRUS. I HAVE SOME STAFF MEMBERS THAT HAVE BEEN HERE WITHOUT A DAY OFF SINCE THE OUTBREAK BEGAN. THIS WILL BE A NICE BREAK FOR THEM TO BE ABLE
Letter: Veterans are receiving exceptional care
Published: 12/15/2020 12:01:31 AM
I have had the privilege of practicing emergency medicine within the Twin Rivers area over the past several years and regularly care for patients sent in from the New Hampshire Veterans Home in Tilton.
Without hesitation I can assure you they have received and continue to receive outstanding care from a dedicated and experienced medical team.
The veterans home has always impressed me with its compassionate and evidence-based care, which has consistently led the region in geriatric excellence. I have personally cared for mutual patients during this time of crisis and global pandemic.
LIVE BLOG - CORONAVIRUS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE: Increase in applicants for home heating help
Update: Tuesday, Dec. 15, 4:19 p.m.
There is greater interest in winter home heating assistance amid the coronavirus pandemic.
New Hampshire’s community action agencies say they’re seeing more first-time applicants for the assistance.
Betsey Andrews Parker leads the Strafford County CAP. She spoke on a panel with Congressman Chris Pappas on Tuesday about expiring federal aid programs that have let groups like hers expand their usual programs. She hopes that aid will continue.
“People are really actually ruining their credit because they’re trying to keep themselves afloat during this time,” she said. “So having this program has been incredibly beneficial for a lot of middle income families who’ve never accessed community action services before.”
LIVE BLOG - CORONAVIRUS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE: Front-line health workers get vaccine
Update: Tuesday, Dec. 15, 11:09 a.m.
Front-line health workers were among the first people in New Hampshire to get their COVID-19 vaccine at Elliot Hospital in Manchester this morning.
The first doses of the Pfizer vaccine arrived in New Hampshire on Monday.
Temperatures were in the 20s, but five health care workers braved the cold to get their shots outdoors. Some said they did it because they wanted to show the public that the vaccine was safe.
At the event, New Hampshire Health Commissioner Lori Shibinette said everyone should get the vaccine when it s more widely available not only for themselves, but for those who have been on the front lines of the pandemic.