Chester, PA - In an ongoing effort to enhance long-term care for residents across the Commonwealth, Acting Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen today visited The Belvedere, a skilled nursing facility in Chester, Delaware County, to highlight the numerous investments the Department’s Long-Term Care Transformation Office is funding to help enhance infrastructure in facilities.
The Belvedere Administrator, Joseph Bewley, highlighted the facility’s various investments with the $9,000 in funding it received from the Long-Term Care Transformation Office. The funding was made possible through the Quality Investment Pilot announced by the Department of Health (DOH) to supplement infrastructure improvements at the facility.
“As the complexity of care for residents increases, we want to ensure that facilities keep pace with the rising demands,” said Acting Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen. “We are helping facilities across Pennsylvania tackle the need for new technology and modernization of their equipment.”
The Belvedere is investing the funding to modernize its emergency communication equipment, upgrade its software system to implement better resident care, and purchase HEPA filtration to improve ventilation and airflow.
Across the Commonwealth, Quality Investment Pilot funding is helping long-term care facilities implement innovative strategies to enhance the level of care their residents receive.
“We put our trust in the staff of long-term care facilities to provide quality care to many older Pennsylvanians and we must do our part to support this rewarding yet challenging work. That support includes ensuring the long-term care facilities are maintained and modernized,” said Bogen. “The Shapiro Administration is working collaboratively with partners to develop innovative ways to enhance care for residents while building resiliency in long-term care facilities, and implementing positive changes in this industry.”
To help address the challenges facing the long-term care industry, earlier this year the Department of Health consolidated its older Pennsylvania care efforts into the Long-Term Care Transformation Office. This office provides guidance and assistance to care communities, including assisted living, intermediate care, skilled nursing, personal care homes, and state veterans homes, across Pennsylvania. The office works with multiple state agencies and stakeholder organizations to understand industry challenges and implement positive change such as the investments highlighted today.
The office is focused on long-term care workforce resiliency, infection prevention and control, and emergency preparedness, as well as sustainable outbreak response operations to help protect residents.
Here is what stakeholder organizations are saying about the Shapiro Administration’s focus on improving care for people in long-term care facilities:
“It is imperative for there to be collaboration between long-term care providers and our state and federal agencies to ensure quality care can be sustained –– especially at a time when Pennsylvania’s senior demographic is rapidly increasing,” said Chris Fisher, Vice President of Operations at the Pennsylvania Health Care Association (PHCA). “We must build upon the foundational commitment of Pennsylvania’s long-term care providers and caregivers to enhance care through government support and investments. Today is one example of how we can –– and will –– build a stronger continuum of care together.”
“We are grateful for the Long-Term Care Transformation Office’s supportive partnership with providers who share the same mission: to enhance the lives of older adults through high-quality care and services,” said Garry Pezzano, President & CEO of LeadingAge PA. “While there are still many challenges, including funding and workforce shortages, it is refreshing to join together to cheer on the successes of long-term care and its dedicated workers.”
“I salute the work being done by direct care, ancillary and support staff in long-term care,” said Pennsylvania Assisted Living Association Executive Director Susan Saxinger. “Now is the time to focus on resiliency and rise above workforce challenges while calling attention to all the positive that is happening in senior living. The programs and services of offices such as the Long-Term Care Transformation Office have and will continue to support our workforce to thrive and remain dedicated to caring for Pennsylvania seniors.”
“Caregivers know firsthand how important it is to make these facilities safer and are supportive of the Shapiro Administration’s investments to do so,” said Matthew Yarnell, President of SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania. “We are committed to working with the Administration, consumer groups, and the industry to put these investments toward growing a skilled workforce, improving working conditions, and making these good, union jobs that people will want to choose as a career.”
The Long-Term Care Transformation Office’s efforts to invest in the future of the Commonwealth’s long-term care workforce coincides with ongoing efforts by the Shapiro Administration, including:
Editor’s Note: Video downloads and photos from the news conference are available on PAcast.
MEDIA CONTACT: Mark O'Neill - ra-dhpressoffice@pa.gov
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