FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. – The Pennsylvania National Guard has activated 64 Soldiers and Airmen to assist at long-term care facilities in the commonwealth.
These service members are from units across Pennsylvania will assist the facilities with non-medical tasks, such as food service and housekeeping, until mid-March.
They will be on federal orders for the mission, coordinated with the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency.
“I am truly grateful for the continued service and sacrifice of all our Soldiers and Airmen,” said Maj. Gen. Mark Schindler, Pennsylvania adjutant general. “I am equally thankful to their families and employers, who support them when they are called to serve. These missions are successful because of our partnership with the Department of Health and PEMA, and our collaborative efforts demonstrate how government works together in serving and supporting our communities, especially residents and the staff in long-term care facilities.”
These Guardsmen join about 120 Pennsylvania National Guard members who were already helping out at long-term care facilities.
Since the long-term care facility mission began in April 2020, the Pennsylvania National Guard has conducted about 180 staffing support missions and assisted more than 160 long-term care facilities for 16,000-plus shifts.
The staffing support teams typically include medical providers, medics and general-purpose personnel. The medical personnel help with patients’ non-acute care, such as checking vital signs, while general-purpose personnel assist with other daily tasks, such as delivering meals and cleaning.