These changes are part of a concerted effort to offer improved protection to those who are receiving long-term care.
The National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease has been updated by the Department of Health and Human Service, including its perspective on the vulnerability of older Americans who live in care facilities.
Because of the vulnerability of people with Alzheimer’s disease who live in care facilities, HHS stated, the department will increase its attention to this population via available studies. Included, will be an “in-depth analysis” that has implications for those providing care in assisted living communities.
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…”This will include an in-depth analysis of the National Survey of Residential Care Facilities to better understand the level of cognitive impairment among residents and the types of services provided in assisted living facilities,” HHS writes. “The results of these studies will be used to identify areas that the National Plan should address in future years.”
State Adult Protective Services field reports of elder financial abuse, however, not all of these programs cover residents of long-term care communities. State funding enables states to survey Medicare and Medicaid-certified nursing facilities, while state licensing agencies may investigate other types of care communities, like assisted living.
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These changes are part of a concerted effort to offer improved protection to those who are receiving long-term care.
“Congress must see to it that the necessary resources are committed to accelerate and prioritize the government’s efforts on Alzheimer’s,” said Harry Johns, President and CEO of the Alzheimer’s Association and member of the Advisory Council to the Plan. “Without these new resources, efforts in Alzheimer’s research, care and support will continue to be hampered to the determent of millions of families and the economic well-being of the nation.”
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Assisted living was not included as a care setting in the early forms of the plan, which prompted the Assisted Living Federation of America to introduce the plan via campaign.
Christopher J. Berry is an elder law lawyer in Michigan Dedicated to helping seniors, veterans and their families navigate the long-term care maze. To learn more visit http://www.michiganelderlawattorney.com/ or call 248.481.4000
