nursing homes Archives - Northwest Public Broadcasting

Grieving During The Pandemic – Part Two

By Rachel Sun March 2, 2022

In happier times – Theda Killgore with her great-granddaughter Chelsea Listen Read During the pandemic, many people who lost loved ones had limited access to say their final goodbyes due… Continue Reading Grieving During The Pandemic – Part TwoRead More

Grieving During The Pandemic – Part One

By Rachel Sun February 28, 2022

Nan Orton sitts at her kitchen table with pictures of her parents

Nan Orton sits at her kitchen table with photos of her parents. Photo by Austin Johnson/Lewiston Tribune Listen Read During the pandemic, many people who lost loved ones had limited… Continue Reading Grieving During The Pandemic – Part OneRead More

COVID First Hit Long-Term Care In Puget Sound Region. Now It’s Hitting Home In Rural Areas

By Scott Leadingham December 9, 2020

Tim Killian, a spokesman for Life Care Center in Kirkland, Wash., prepares to give a daily briefing to reporters on Wednesday. CREDIT: Ted S. Warren/AP

Some of the hardest hit places have been long-term care facilities in rural areas like Tonasket in Okanogan County, and in central Washington. At least three care facilities in Grant County have reported outbreaks and deaths since a large wedding near Ritzville last month attended by some care facility staff who later tested positive for COVID-19. But a definitive Read More

Care Facility In Small Okanogan County Town Of Tonasket Reports 12 Deaths In COVID Outbreak

By NWPB News November 30, 2020

Tonasket, in Washington's Okanogan County, no longer has a police force after the mayor disbanded it. Courtesy city of Tonasket

The county health department said Monday night that North Valley Extended Care in Tonasket has recorded 11 deaths. That number includes 32 total residents who have contracted COVID-19. Health officials did not disclose a time frame for the cases and deaths. Two staff members there are hospitalized, according to the health department. Read More

After Months Of Lockdown, New Plans For Washington State Care Facilities Will Allow Family Visits

By Tom Banse August 6, 2020

Dorothy Campbell talks to her husband, Gene Campbell, on the phone through his window at the Life Care Center of Kirkland on March 5, 2020, in Kirkland. CREDIT: Megan Farmer/KUOW

The state has developed a new four phase plan for the long-term care settings. This plan is entirely separate from the four phase protocol for reopening Washington state counties. Continue Reading After Months Of Read More

Nursing Homes Struggle As Staff Choose Unemployment Checks Over Paychecks

By NPR News June 21, 2020

Some nursing homes and long-term care facilities say they're struggling to fill shifts as certified nursing assistants opt for unemployment benefits during the pandemic. Continue Reading Nursing Homes Struggle As Staff Choose Read More

Nursing Homes Run Short Of COVID-19 Protective Gear As Federal Response Falters

By NPR News June 11, 2020

Kelly Womochil, an aide at Enterprise Estates Nursing Center in Enterprise, Kan., tries on a poncho that the Federal Emergency Management Agency is sending to nursing homes to protect against the coronavirus. CREDIT: Pamela Black

At least 711 nursing homes reported running out of N95 masks at the end of May, and 1,963 said they had less than a week's worth. "The federal government has got to step up," says one advocate. Continue Reading Nursing Homes Run Read More

Washington Plans To Test All Nursing Home Residents And Staff, Says State Doctor

By Austin Jenkins May 12, 2020

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has instructed the state Department of Health (DOH) to prepare to test all nursing home residents and staff for COVID-19 in the coming weeks, according to the physician leading the state’s testing strategy. Read More

For Most States, At Least A Third Of COVID-19 Deaths Are In Long-Term Care Facilities

By NPR News May 10, 2020

"It was certainly expected that nursing homes would be hit but it was not inevitable that they'd be hit this hard," Richard Mollot, executive director of New York-based Long Term Care Community Coalition, told NPR. CREDIT: John Minchillo/AP

The report comes as the government announced all states must now meet federal reporting guidelines. The type of information gathered by states up to now has been inconsistent. Continue Reading For Most States, At Least A Read More

16 Idaho Nursing Homes Hit By Coronavirus, State Mum On Details

By NWPB News April 28, 2020

A pedestrian wearing a mask passing under the marquee at the Kenworthy Performing Arts Centre

Idaho nursing homes have been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, with at least 150 cases reported at 16 different long-term care facilities in the state. So far, at least 26 people at such facilities have died from COVID-19. Continue Reading Read More

COVID-19 Cases Surge Across Washington’s Nursing Homes

By John Ryan April 13, 2020

Sisters Seri Sedlacek, left, and Susan Simpkins look in on their father, Chuck Sedlacek, at the Life Care Center, Wednesday, March 18, 2020, in Kirkland. Shuksan Healthcare Center in Bellingham is working to avoid what happened at the Kirkland facility. CREDIT: Elaine Thompson/AP

The number of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities with confirmed COVID-19 cases more than doubled in the first eight days of April. Nursing and assisted-living centers in Bellingham, Coupeville, Everett, Kennewick, Kirkland, Richland and Shoreline have each reported at least 25 COVID-19 cases Read More

Bellingham’s Shuksan Healthcare Nursing Home Tries To Avert Another COVID-19 Disaster

By NWPB News March 25, 2020

More than 30 residents and employees of a Bellingham nursing facility have tested positive for COVID-19, prompting officials to take steps to avoid a deadly scenario that played out in Kirkland, Washington's Life Care Center. Read More

Jay Inslee Orders Nursing Homes To Limit Visitors, Signals Social-Distancing Measures Are Next

By Austin Jenkins March 10, 2020

Warning that the number of coronavirus cases in Washington could double weekly, Gov. Jay Inslee on Tuesday indicated that mandatory social-distancing measures could be announced this week and, in the meantime, imposed new restrictions on nursing homes. Read More

Lax Regulations And Vulnerable Residents ‘A Recipe For Problems’ In Eldercare Homes

By NPR News February 17, 2020

A family photo of Marilyn Kelly outside Our House Too. Courtesy of June Kelly

Assisted living-type facilities often are subject to less scrutiny than nursing homes. Investigations in Vermont and elsewhere have revealed patterns of poor care and deaths. Continue Reading Lax Regulations And Vulnerable Read More

Where Will They Go? Washington Nursing Home For Brain Injured Patients To Close

By Austin Jenkins February 12, 2020

Washington nursing home for brain injured patients will close after nearly half a century. Continue Reading Where Will They Go? Washington Nursing Home For Brain Injured Patients To CloseRead More

Uptick In Washington Nursing Homes Closures Prompts Proposals To Raise Medicaid Rates

By Austin Jenkins November 10, 2019

Keiro Northwest Rehabilitation and Care Center is one of nearly 20 skilled nursing facilities to close in Washington over the past nearly three years.

In response to a rash of nursing home closures in Washington, a Republican state senator is calling for an increase in Medicaid reimbursement rates and other steps to stave off additional closures. “We are in a crisis of skilled nursing facilities and beds,” said Sen. Steve O’Ban, a Pierce County Republican. Read More

Families Scramble, Industry Sounds Alarms As Washington Nursing Home Closures Rise

By Austin Jenkins June 24, 2019

Keith Akada has called more than 30 nursing homes and adult family homes looking for a place to care for his mother Mieko whose nursing home is closing. CREDIT: AUSTIN JENKINS/N3

Since February 2017, 16 Washington nursing homes — from Seattle to Ritzville — have closed, announced they will close, or converted to assisted living. Each time a nursing home closes, it forces vulnerable residents to endure disruptive — and potentially dangerous — moves. Read More