KING AND QUEEN — A member of King and Queen County’s Board of Supervisors has been appointed to a new advisory board created to improve the quality of nursing home care for older adults in Virginia.
Sherrin Alsop was named Sept. 4 as a member of the Nursing Home Oversight and Accountability Advisory Board created by Gov. Glenn Youngkin.
Alsop has represented King and Queen County’s Newtown District for about 26 years.
The new board includes providers, advocates, geriatricians and external stakeholders “all dedicated to representing the Commonwealth’s interests in ensuring that nursing home facilities consistently meet the highest standards of safety, quality, and transparency,” according to a news release from the governor’s office.
“Every Virginian deserves to know that their loved ones are safe, respected, and receiving the highest standard of care in our nursing homes,” Youngkin said. “This Advisory Board will strengthen oversight, promote transparency, and deliver solutions that protect our most vulnerable seniors. By bringing together providers, advocates, and experts, we are ensuring that families can have confidence their loved ones are cared for with dignity and compassion.”
Youngkin said the new initiative will evaluate aging and caregiving challenges facing Virginia, focusing on creating “well-rounded solutions that address care deficiencies and improve access for our seniors.”
Virginia currently has nearly 300 licensed nursing homes serving approximately 33,000 residents, with most facilities certified to receive federal funding. While the Department of Health’s Office of Licensure and Certification is responsible for inspecting homes to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations, investigating complaints and safeguarding resident well-being, the office faces significant staffing shortages, with a 42% vacancy rate among inspectors.
David Macaulay, Davidmacaulayva@gmail.com
