On the Block: Could senior housing be a post-pandemic winner?
In February of 2020, a nursing home or senior community was the last place you wanted to be. Or visit. Or move to, if you were nearing a certain age. Just to recall the outbreak at Kirkland s
Life Care Center is to shudder.
Things look much different now, thanks to widespread vaccination within most if not all senior communities. The pandemic actually looks worse outside those doors than inside. If age was a risk factor before the vaccine(s), the demographics and economic clout of an aging baby boom may prove more powerful than coronavirus-related fears about moving into senior housing.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment just reported nearly 150 new COVID-19 outbreaks identified in the past week. Well over half of them are located in four counties, including Denver, that are currently at Level Red on the agency s dial dashboard, a system that transitioned from compulsory to advisory on April 16.
The CDPHE considers an entity an outbreak after two or more COVID-19 cases among residents, staffers or other people connected to a specific location are confirmed within a fourteen-day period, or two or more cases of respiratory illness with an onset of symptoms within a fourteen-day period are paired with at least one additional COVID-19 diagnosis. The vast majority of businesses and facilities identified as outbreaks remain open while working with the department to monitor symptoms and prevent future infections.
College works with area health care providers to provide nurse training
-Nightingale College
Nightingale College has more than 1,600 students enrolled nationwide, including 20 in the Coeur d’Alene area. The school began offering classes in North Idaho this year. Salt Lake City-based Nightingale College has partnered with health care providers in North Idaho to establish a nursing training program hub in Coeur d’Alene. The college is a hybrid-learning nursing program, says Jonathan Tanner, senior vice president and chief partnerships and business development officer for the college. Its Coeur d’Alene health care partners will act as the regional hub for the school, says Tanner.
The CDPHE considers an entity an outbreak after two or more COVID-19 cases among residents, staffers or other people connected to a specific location are confirmed within a fourteen-day period, or two or more cases of respiratory illness with an onset of symptoms within a fourteen-day period are paired with at least one additional COVID-19 diagnosis. The vast majority of businesses and facilities identified as outbreaks remain open while working with the department to monitor symptoms and prevent future infections.
Until recently, the state s weekly outbreak reports had been fairly stable, even though the number of new outbreaks had plateaued at a level higher than health officials liked, at 75 on March 24.
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Lees-McRae College volunteers Rachel Ross and Abby West perform some heavy lifting at the Gilmer Retreat Center in Elk Park as part of the collegeâs annual Mountain Day of Service.
Photo courtesy of Travis Stanley | Lees McRae College
Michael Miller participates in the post-service celebration on LMCâs Tate Lawn.
Photo courtesy Travis Stanley | Lees McRae College
Students enjoy a bright, sunny day filled with special events during Lees-McRaeâs Mountain Day of Service on Wednesday, April 7.
Photo courtesy Travis Stanley | Lees McRae College
A volunteer with Lees-McRae College becomes friendly with a sheltered cat at the Avery County Humane Society.