Foundations Present Teaching Nursing Home Initiative at Grantmakers in Aging

During a Grantmakers in Aging meeting on October 14, Jewish Healthcare Foundation (JHF) COO and Chief Program Officer Nancy D. Zionts, MBA, presented on JHF's work to bolster nursing home care and confront challenges facing nursing home residents and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. The session highlighted three initiatives addressing nursing home quality that represent how different kinds of funders – local, regional, and national – can work together to address the critical policy challenges amplified during the pandemic.

With The John A. Hartford Foundation Senior Program Officer Amy Berman, RN, LHD, FAAN, Zionts presented on the Revisiting the Teaching Nursing Home Initiative, which launched in June 2021. The Jewish Healthcare Foundation, the John A. Hartford Foundation, the Henry L. Hillman Foundation, and new funder Independence Foundation are investing just under $1 million to pilot a new program among skilled nursing facilities, local health systems, the University of Pittsburgh, the University of Pennsylvania, and Pennsylvania State University. Zionts then shared details of JHF's Senior Residential Living Full Court Press Team's work to explore creative new models and the most actionable solutions for seniors and the senior care workforce. Zionts also screened a clip from JHF's short documentary, What COVID-19 Exposed in Long-Term Care, which premiered in February 2021 and has been selected for five film festivals.