HCAOA The Voice Winter 2020

2 HCAOA The Voice EXECUTIVE CORNER HOME for the Holidays I AMA HOMEBODY. I take comfort in being in my home—the one place I can exhale and be myself. It is where I am making the fondest of memories with my grandkids. It is where my family and I celebrate Thanksgiving every year. And it is where I cared for my mother in the last years of her life—safe in the comfort of home. This year, home has taken on a new meaning. As we all quarantined during the pandemic, home quickly became our offices, our gyms, our schools, and our social circles, as well as a sanctuary from the chaos outside. When people truly embraced the meaning of “no place like home,” YOU made that happen for thousands of seniors, people with disabilities, and kids with complex medical conditions. Your caregivers left the sanctuary of their homes each day so your clients could stay safe and healthy at home. When the world looks back on 2020, home care will be on the list of heroes we remember. As we navigate this holiday season, which now includes CDC guidelines and state restrictions in addition to the typical family drama and gift exchanges, remember that the Home Care Association of America is here for you, and we will continue to do all we can to ensure our members have access to PPE and protocols for staying safe. In this issue, we take a look at what the vaccine distribution plan could look like for the country, and for home care. We look ahead to the Biden Administration’s plan for our industry. And we get some new perspectives from “outside looking in,” as we discuss the perception of home care with several healthcare leaders. I wish you and your family the happiest of holidays, and health and joy for the new year. Vicki Hoak, Executive Director