While hospitals and nursing homes are trying to somehow get the necessary number of tests for coronavirus and personal protective equipment, millions of patients who need home care have generally been left without state support.
It is reported by the publication Politico.
As noted in the media, the Corona Crisis has revealed serious gaps in the health system that concern the elderly and the disabled. Many of them in the current situation were left without any help. Under quarantine, they don’t even have carers. In a survey, the National Home Care Association found that more than half of people with disabilities and older people lost assistants due to the spread of coronavirus.
The head of LeadingAge, Katie Smith Sloan, said that attempts to get the federal government to provide this category of citizens with the necessary medical products, including tests, have so far failed.
“This is a real shame”, – she emphasizes.
Last week, Washington took certain measures in this direction. In particular, money was allocated to deliver food to people with disabilities. However, the authorities again did not take into account the needs for protective equipment and tests. Experts believe that reduced care would be less significant if carers and patients were properly protected.