Alexandria, Va. – A new national survey of voters, conducted by McLaughlin & Associates, shows 80% of voters support COVID-19 relief funding for senior living communities. The strong support is constant across party lines and shows that three-quarters of the electorate are more likely to vote for a candidate who supports increased COVID-19 relief funding for senior living providers in the 2020 elections. Conversely, a majority of voters disapprove that senior living communities have not received adequate federal relief funding to date.
“These past few months, COVID-19 has significantly impacted the residents and staff of our nation’s senior living communities, with many communities having to scramble to procure supplies and protective equipment and support increasing staffing needs, costs, and operational changes — all without federal funding,” said James Balda, President & CEO of Argentum. “The findings of this new survey show American voters think the federal government can do more to support senior living providers and shore up resources so that these communities can better protect vulnerable residents and dedicated staff.”
Specifically, the survey finds:
- 80 percent of voters approve of provider relief funding for senior living communities
- 78 percent of voters are more likely to support provider relief funding for senior living communities to ensure frontline workers have adequate supplies of personal protective equipment, access to testing, and hero pay.
- A strong majority of voters, 59 percent, disapprove of the senior living community not receiving adequate provider relief funds, with the plurality, 33 percent, saying they strongly disapprove.
- Three-quarters of the electorate, 76 percent, are more likely to vote for a candidate who supports increased COVID-19 provider relief funding.
Federal relief for these communities would immediately help protect both residents and frontline workers, who are currently the most vulnerable segments of our population. Still, while these communities are required to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for personal protective equipment, testing, and social distancing requirements, these communities have yet to see any substantial federal relief, especially compared to the billions of federal dollars provided to nursing homes. Increased federal funding for the nearly 2 million Americans living in over 21,000 senior living communities across the country is critical to saving lives and keeping our nation’s seniors safe.
To learn more and view all results from the national survey, click here.
About Argentum
Argentum is the leading national association exclusively dedicated to supporting companies operating professionally managed, resident-centered senior living communities and the older adults and families they serve. Since 1990, Argentum has advocated for choice, independence, dignity, and quality of life for all older adults.
Argentum member companies operate senior living communities offering assisted living, independent living, continuing care, and memory care services. Along with its state partners, Argentum’s membership represents approximately 75 percent of the senior living industry — an industry with a national economic impact of nearly a quarter of a trillion dollars and responsible for providing over 1.6 million jobs. These numbers will continue to grow as the U.S. population ages.
Argentum’s programs and initiatives are driven by its membership. For more information about joining Argentum, please visit argentum.org/membership. Learn more at argentum.org.
