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Survey: Assisted Living Facilities Lack Sufficient Personal Protective Equipment

A new survey found that assisted living facilities across the country do not have enough personal protective equipment. In fact, more than half of the facilities surveyed have less than a two-week supply. And Arizona’s assisted living facilities are facing similar challenges. 

The National Center for Assisted Living surveyed 375 of its members and what they found isn’t ideal.

More than 70% have asked for help from their state and local health agencies, and nearly half have solicited donations from the public.

Some are even using homemade masks or improvised personal protective equipment, like a garbage bag for a gown.

Many assisted living facilities also have struggled to get cleaning supplies and hand sanitizer. Arizona’s more than 2,000 assisted living facilities have faced similar challenges.

Last week, Gov. Doug Ducey said the state would provide $10 million for additional personal protective equipment. 

→  Read The Latest News On The Coronavirus Disease 

KJZZ senior field correspondent Kathy Ritchie has 20 years of experience reporting and writing stories for national and local media outlets — nearly a decade of it has been spent in public media.