The US had 62,000 more COVID-19 cases than any other country on Wednesday and 104,538 more confirmed cases than Australia. Yet, in aged care, the countries are very similar.
The Weekly Source reported last month that StewartBrown’s latest survey revealed 54% of aged care homes are still operating at a loss even with COVID-19 funding. The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living’s latest survey shows more than 50% of aged care homes and nearly half of assisted living communities are operating at a loss.
In the US, only 25% of operators are confident in making it through to next year.
The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), represents more than 14,000 nursing homes, assisted living communities and other long-term care facilities across the country.
It states nearly 50% of nursing homes and assisted living communities have had to make cuts in 2021 due to increased expenses or lost revenue, with 84% of aged care homes losing revenue due to fewer post-acute patients coming from the hospital.
This is despite 92% of aged care homes and 62% of assisted living facilities stating the Provider Relief Fund during COVID-19 was beneficial.
StewartBrown’s findings show that Australian residential care’s finances improved largely thanks to net COVID-19 special funding and the 30% viability supplement for rural and remote homes.
However, the average result is still a deficit of $6.10 per bed per day or $2,060 per bed per annum (down from an $8.23 deficit per bed per day/ deficit $2,835 per bed per annum in March 2020).
