Argentum Calls for Transparency in COVID-19 State Reporting

ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 11, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Argentum, the leading national association serving senior living providers, has called for transparency in COVID-19 reporting among the states by releasing the following statement and call to action:

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Openness and transparency are critical to maintaining the valued trust of senior living residents, families, employees, and the public. As such, Argentum members continue to report COVID-19 cases and fatalities to their applicable state agencies and to their stakeholders. 

Now, we are calling upon each state to publicly and promptly report the COVID-19 data that their regulatory agencies are required to collect. This includes COVID-19 data on positive cases and fatalities, as well as recovered cases, and the distinction of data reported by setting such as assisted living communities and nursing homes.

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"Since the beginning of the pandemic, we've been encouraging openness and transparency in reporting among our members and have shared our guidance on reporting and leadership communication," said James Balda, Argentum president & CEO.

A recent survey of Argentum's members showed that 100 percent of respondents that had COVID-19 positive cases in their communities were reporting data to state agencies, families, staff, and residents. In addition, nearly half were sharing updated COVID-19 data publicly either on their own company or community website or other mechanism.

"We grieve with those who have experienced tremendous loss from COVID-19, but we are pleased to see these results and encourage Argentum members to continue taking the important steps to report and communicate cases," said Balda. "We are, however, seeing discrepancies in how and which states across the country are publicly reporting data, and we are asking the states to offer full transparency. Not only is it important to maintaining trust and integrity; it's also the right thing to do."

The number of recoveries from COVID-19 is one of the most critical data points being omitted from most state reporting. Reporting recoveries, along with positive cases and fatalities among residents and staff, will provide a broader understanding of COVID-19's full impact across the senior living industry.

"There are a significant number of residents and staff recovering from COVID-19 in senior living communities who are continuing to live healthy, fulfilling lives," said Balda. "It's important that we continue to see accurate and complete data reported so it can inform critical decisions now and as we continue to fight the pandemic."

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.

Contact
Jessica McKay
Senior Director of Marketing & Communications, Argentum
571-527-2624 | [email protected]

SOURCE Argentum